Pandit Uttamrao Agnihotri
R. Swaminath

Pandit Uttamrao Agnihotri's contribution to Hindustani Music as a vocalist, teacher and composer is immense. He won his first award in Music in an All India Music (vocal) Competition at Hyderabad. The SurSingar Sansad (Mumbai) bestowed on him the title of "Surmani" in 1981. A year later the Government of Maharashtra also made a documentary film on him. Regarded as one of the best music teachers, he has also bagged the 'Ideal Teachers' award in 1997. He actively participated in the Government of India sponsored' Apna Utsav' in 1989.

Pandit Agnihotri, who celebrated his sixty fifth birthday in June 2000, learnt music from the late Ganamaharishi Dr. Anna Saheb Gunjkar of Nanded (Maharashtra).

Pandit Agnihotri is a Sangeet Alankar in both vocal music and the harmonium which is equivalent to a masters degree in music. He also holds the Sangeet Shiksha Visharad, equivalent to a B.Ed. Born at Sonpeth in the Parbhani district of Maharashtra, he lost his eyesight when he was just six months old. This disability did not deter him from entering the field of classical music and from spreading its fragrance throughout the region through his teaching. Composing 'Raagas' is his forte and he has exhibited his abundant virtuosity in many public performances. His two books 'Rageshri' (classical compositions) and 'Rasika' (devotional songs) are soon to be published. Besides being an All India Radio Artist, he is also an examiner for the university exams in music.

Pandit Agnihotri retired from the music department of SNDT University, Mumbai, in 1997. During the course of my tete-a- tete with him, I had the privilege of sharing his thoughts and feelings.

Many of the TV Channels now available in India cater to pop music. There is a dearth of classical singers and no fresh singers seem to be coming up. Does it mean that classical music has lost its popularity?

I do not think so. There are so many classical singers in the field, for example Sanjeev, Mrs. Arati Ankalika, Mrs. Deglurkal, Mr. Raja Kale, Mrs. Vandana Katti, Mr. Shivdas Deglurkal, Mr. Girish Gosavi, etc., who are all keeping the tradition alive. Even the singers who opt for light music or pop music do have knowledge of classical music and they too are aware of the fact that the base of their music is actually classical.

Music lovers or 'Rasiks' go to hear only stalwarts like Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj, Kishori Amonkar, Music lovers or 'Rasiks' go to hear only stalwarts like Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj, Kishori Amonkar, Parveen Sultana, etc., and do not encourage new singers. What should be done to revive popularity of classical music? Is it because new singers are poorly paid or that there are no sponsors for them? Why is it that they do not experiment, innovating raagas that is, blending popular raagas in Carnatic music with Hindustani to draw public support?

As you have said that people throng to listen only to Bhimsen Joshi and others - this is a general human tendency. Nothing else. A natural phenomenon. When you go to buy any product in the market, you go for branded products like Godrej, Tata, etc. If you fail to get these only then will you purchase a new product. If you are satisfied, then you will buy it again. Yes, sponsors are not encouraging new singers, but classical programmes are still arranged in several places, like Radio and TV where fresh talent is given ample opportunity, as in Sa Re Ga Ma. New singers do innovate raagas but sometimes they may not find public acceptance at once. It has to be done slowly. If you stick to 3-4 popular raagas and introduce just one or two new raagas I feel they will be appreciated.

Have you ever experienced discrimination from accompanists or faced any difficulty while giving a public performance?

I have never had any problem with accompanists. In fact, they have always seemed very keen to accompany me and most considered it an honour. I try my level best to allow them to exhibit their talent. I have never had a problem while giving a public performance. Given your extensive experience, can you narrate any memorable incident in your musical career? There are many memorable incidents in my musical career and I will narrate a couple.

I remember the time when I stood first in the All India classical vocal music competition held at Hyderabad, organised by the Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Maha Mandal Miraj. As per their tradition, my mentor, Late Dr. Anna Saheb Gunjkar was also felicitated. I was given the opportunity to peiform in the presence of distinguished and acclaimed exponents like Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj, Dr. Prabha Atre and Pandit Kumar Gandharv who appreciated my music immensely. I can never forget that day.

The second time was when the then Chief Justice of Maharashtra, Mr. Venkateshrao Deshpande arranged a music programme in December 1981. I sang in the August presence of the then Chief Minister, Mr. A.R. Antulay, who liked my performance so much that he allotted me a flat in Mumbai and appointed me as a Senior Lecturer in Music at S.N.D.T: College for Women.

Mr. Agnihotri's knowledge is a symbol of his erudition. He has performed in the presence of doyens with an aplomb, which bears testimony to the fact that disability is not necessarily a handicap.

Source: Success & Ability, Volume 6 No. 1
Issue: Date Jan-Mar 2001