HARESHCHANDRA BHAVSAR: A BRIEF BIOGRAPHY

      Shri Hareshchandra Bhavsar was a consummate artist with a long period of training. He inherited his passion for music from his father and uncle.  He was not always a vocalist; at the early age of 10, he stepped into the world of music drumming on his tabla.  For well over 15 years Shri Hareshchandra accompanied his elder brother Shri Bhikhubhai Bhavsar on the tabla in numerous musical sorties.  During his apprenticeship he used to listen to the performances of the renowned percussionists, and instrumentalists both on stage and on All India Radio.  This early exposure enabled him to acquire a firm sense of rhythm.

      Pt. Bhavsar's vocal training was extensive.  He was greatly inspired and encouraged in the field of music by Shri Premshankar Naik who was the court musician of the ruler of Vansda State and the doyen of music in Bulsar region.  Pt. Bhavsar learned music regularly and systematically for about seven to eight years from his elder brother Shri Bhikhubhai Bhavsar.  He was also fortunate to gain fruitful guidance from no less a maestro than Pandit Jasraj the illustrious exponent of the Mevati Gharana.

      In Hareshbhai's style of music there was a beautiful synthesis of different gharanas.  The influence of Mewati gharana is drawn from Pandit Jasraj; the impact of Gwaliore gharana was derived from his elder brother and teacher shri Bhikhubhai who was a noted veteran.  One also finds the influence of Patyala and Kirana Gharanas.

      Shri Hareshbhai gave numerous successful concerts.  These concerts were not only in Gujarat but in different cities in India and abroad.  Sangit Alankar Shri Hareshchandra Bhavsar (Gold Medalist) featured Mangal Variya Sangeet Sabha and also in National Program of music on AIR in 1977, 1988 and 1994 respectively.  He was a "grade A" artist of AIR and his music has been regularly heard from Akashavani Ahmedabad-Vadodara for years.

      Pt. Bhavsar was a man of many talents.  He was inspiring teacher, an imaginative artist, and a selfless worker for the cause of music.  Under his inspiring guidance, many disciples were able to attain distinction in music.  Many of his students qualified for Sangeet Alankar, and Sangeet Visharad.  For years he guided "Kalayatan", the premier musical organization of South Gujarat as Honorary secretary.

      Pt. Bhavsar passed away on April 3rd, 2024.