Kumar Gandharva would have been 78 years old on April 8, 2002. He died after a brief illness on January 12, 1992. Already a legend in his own lifetime, Kumar Gandharva seems to grow in stature posthumously.
Kumar studied very closely the folk music of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Malwa, etc. This led him into composing Geet hemant, Geet varsha, Geet shishir, and Triveni- bhajans of 3 great saints: Kabir, Surdas and Meera- which proved a sensational hit.
He did three simple things with complex consequences. First, he refused to accept that tradition in music meant merely continuation and repetition: he deconstructed it thus laying it open to new experiments and bold innovations.
He, more or less, excavated the creative dynamics of tradition. Second, he rediscovered and reasserted the roots of the classical in the folk, in the process, reinvigorating the classical and elevating the folk. Third, he made the classical look modern in structure, intent and resource without ceasing to be classical.
Kumar has made a distinctly valuable contribution to Indian music. His deep and extensive study of our ragas has enabled him to bring to light many forgotten ragas. Apart from this, the contribution of ragas of his own creation is very substantial. Among the new ragas which have already received public approbation are Sanjari, Malavati, Bihad Bhairava, Saheli Todi. Gandhi Malhar and Sohoni Bhatiyar, his renderings of Marathi bhavgeets also are very popular.
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He did three simple things with complex consequences. First, he refused to accept that tradition in music meant merely continuation and repetition: he deconstructed it thus laying it open to new experiments and bold innovations.