Suhasini Koratkar, a tireless proponent of Bhendi Bazaar gharana, dies

Koratkar belonged to the fourth generation of the Bhendi Bazaar gharana, which originated in the second half of the 19th century, when three musician brothers from north India moved to Mumbai and settled in the bustling Bhendi Bazaar area. The three brothers — Chajju Khan, Nazir Khan and Khadim Hussain Khan — who were trained in the Rampur-Sahaswan gharana, gradually learnt the nuances of Dhrupad music. Their descendants went on to absorb elements of Carnatic music and make it their own.

Koratkar was trained in Khayal by T D Janorika, a renowned vocalist of the Bhendi Bazaar gharana. She later learnt semi-classical Thumri from the legendary Naina Devi. With her tireless saadhna of 35-40 years, she is often credited with increasing the popularity of the Bhendi Bazaar gharana, in India and across the world.

Apart from pursuing her passion, she worked in various capacities with the All India Radio at its centres in Pune, Delhi and Goa. According to those who knew her closely, her career with the All India Radio helped her shape her music career, and also contribute to the resurgence of the fading Bhendi Bazaar gharana.

“She had joined AIR in Pune in 1975 as a programme executive. Later, she moved to New Delhi as programme director (music). After a long stint in Delhi, she was transferred to Goa. After working there for some time, she retired and returned to Pune to devote more time to music, and to document the history of her gharana. She also became a guru for music students at Lalit Kala Kendra and continued to guide students for about two decades,” said Shubhangi Bahulikar, former head of the Centre For Performing Arts at the Savitribai Phule Pune University.
Koratkar wrote several bandish with the pen name of ‘Niguni’, said Bahulikar. Apart from classical, she also enjoyed singing Abhang, Natya Geet, Ghazals, Dadra, Hori and Kajari.

“She took great effort in propagating the singing style of the Bhendi Bazaar gharana. Despite her ill health, she was always willing to participate in programmes where her gharana could be discussed, even if it involved travelling. We had participated in several events together. In fact, I had met her three weeks ago, at an event in SNDT College,” said Bahulikar.

The legacy of Koratkar, who never married, continues with her disciples, whom she taught the particular ways of her gharana. Among her popular disciples are singers Shubhangi Janorikar and Ragini Kausadikar.