Purshottam Walawalkar
Pandit Purshottam Walawalkar was a harmonium maestro. He helped popularise the harmonium in Maharashtra and beyond.
Early life and training
Purshottam was born on 11 June 1923 to Madhavrao Walawalkar and Parvathibai Walawalkar, in the town of Sawantwadi. He learned the harmonium from three Gurus, Pandit Vitthal rao Korgaonkar, Pandit Hanmant rao Walwekar and Pandit Govindrao Tembe. He used to combine the playing styles of his three gurus.Performing career
Walawalkar has performed with many Hindustani classical music exponents like Bharat Ratna Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki, Pandit C R Vyas, Pandit Ramashreya Jha, Vidushi Kishori Amonkar, Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, Taalyogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar, Pandit Yogesh Samsi, Pandit Prabhakar Karekar, Pandit Omkar Gulvady, Pandit Suhas Vyas, Pandit Nana Muley, Pandit Aneesh Pradhan.The Harmonium replaced the Sarangi in the early 20th century and went through tough times as it first was banned as accompanying instrument by All India Radio. Hindustani classical music exponents such as Walawalkar established the Harmonium as solo instrument in Indian Classical music.
Walawalkar helped popularise the harmonium in Maharashtra and beyond.
Walawalkar was awarded with the Pt. Govindrao Tembe Sangatkar Puraskar in 1999.
Pandit Shrinivas Acharya is Walawalkar's Gandabandha Shishya.
Manvendra Singh Gohil is also a disciple of Walawalkar.