Vithal Rao Explained

Pandit Vithal Rao
Background:	solo_singer
Birth Date:	1929
Death Date:	25 June
Death Place:	Hyderabad
Origin:	Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Genre:	Ghazals
Occupation:	singer
Years Active:	1920s – 2015

Vithal Rao Aatmaram Shivpurkar also known as Pandit Vithal Rao (1929 – 25 June 2015) was an Indian classical vocalist.^[1] He is considered to have been one of the last few maestros of 'Ghazals' and was the last court singer of the Last Nizam of Hyderabad. He is popular for singing ghazals written by Hyderabad writers,^[2] Urdu as well as Hindi ghazals.

Early life

Vithal Rao Aatmaram Shivpurkar popularly known as Vithal Rao or Guruji was born in 1929 in Hyderabad, India.

Performing career

Vithal Rao was a court musician of the Last Nizam of Hyderabad. He is popular with the noble families of Hyderabad. Among his notable accompanists include Ustad Sardar Khan (tabla).

Among his notable disciples is Kiran Ahluwalia and playback and folk singer, Rahul Sipligunj and ghazal and qawwali singer, Chetan Ramlu.

Discography

Some his popular ghazals are:

• Ek chamele ke mandve tale
• Maine teri aaakho mein pada, sab bhool gaya bus yaad raha sirf Allah hi Allah (Sufiana Kalam)
• Aye mere ham nasheen
• Nindiya Na Aaye
• O Sitamgar Tera Muskurana Kaam Aane Ke Qabil Nahin Hai
• Zehal-e miskin makun taghaful, duraye naina banaye batiyan^[3]
• Ghazals of Janab Sayeed Shaheedi

Notes and References

1. News: Legendary Ghazal singer Vithal Rao dead. 26 June 2015. The Hindu. 26 June 2015.
2. Web site: Canada.Com Homepage Canada.Com.
3. Web site: Mumbai reports 1,011 new Covid-19 cases, 2 deaths; active tally at 5,852 . Mid-day.com . 2022-08-19.