Kundgol


Kundgol, also known as Kundagola, is a panchayat town in Dharwad district in the Indian state of Karnataka.
Kundgol is located about 14 km south-west of Hubli and 32 km south-west of Dharwad.
This town is the birthplace of Rambhau Kundgolkar, a well known Hindustani musician. Gangubai Hangal, Bhimsen Joshi were his disciples.

History

Kundgol also comes under the core area of Western Chalukya Empire. The existence of 11th century Shri Shambhulingeshwara temple supports this claim. Before 1948, Kundgol was a non-contiguous part of the princely state of Jamkhandi.

Hindustani music and Kundgol

Rambhau Kundgolkar, also known as Sawai Gandharva, was born in Kundgol in 1886.
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi travelled all over the country in search of an elusive and almost mythical guru. Eventually, a well-meaning musician advised him to return home, suggesting that the guru he sought was remarkably close, Sawai Gandharva of Kundgol. At first, the guru dismissed Joshi, remarking that his voice was not particularly impressive, but later agreed to accept him after witnessing his extraordinary determination and deep passion for music.
According to Gangubai Hangal, Late Abdul Karim Khan visited Dharwad in 1900 and taught Sawai Gandharva, a guru who produced many disciplines like Dr Hangal and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. The Nadgir family of Kundgol is known for patronising Hindustani music.
To cater to the needs of cultural activities the Dharwad city boasts of an opera house Savai Gandharava Natyagraha
named after the Hindustani Musician Savai Gandharva the native of Kundgol town near Hubli, on the Hubli - Bangalore rail line. Notable Hindustani classical vocalist Dr. Gangubai Hangal was born in and remained a long-term resident of Hubli. She is regarded as a significant figure in the modern history of the genre.
Dr. Smt. Gangubai Hangal was born in the family of musicians on 5 March 1913 at Dharwad. Her mother
Smt. Ambabai was a renowned carnatic singer and father Sri Chikkurao Nadiger of Ranebennur was
an agriculturist. Dr. Gangubai was initiated into music by her mother.
She learnt music under the guidance of Sri Krishnamacharya Hulgur and later under Sri Sawai Gandharv
alias Sri Rambhau Kundgolkar a disciple of late Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, the main architect of kirana gharana
school of music.

Tourism

  • Shambhulinga Temple
Shri Shambhulingeshwara Temple is a large Shiva temple from the 11th century located in Kundgol, built by the Western Chalukyas. It incorporates highly polished stones, which are dovetailed into one another. The carvings and images on the pillars are well cut.
On the side of the door steps of the temple, carvings of the Lion face a long scroll issuing from its mouth.
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati. Although damaged, the exterior of the temple is decorated with imagery depicting lotuses, kirtimukha faces, and hundreds of Brahmanical images.
This temple was a victim of the Muhammadans. It was repaired by a former chief during 1808 and 1809.

Geography

Kundgol is located at. It has an average elevation of 615 metres.

Demographics

As of the 2001 India census, Kundgol had a population of 16,837. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Kundgol has an average literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73%, and female literacy is 54%. In Kundgol, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Kundgol Religion Data in 2011

Source:
  • Population, 18,726
  • Hindu, 74.11%
  • Muslim, 25.21%

    Transport

There are KSRTC buses from Hubli, Dharwad, and the nearest towns to Kundagol. This town is also connected by the Railway network, and its Railway Station code is KNO.