Ahir is an Indian caste. The term can be used synonymously with Yadav, as the latter term refers to Ahirs who have identified as Yadavs.^[4] The major divisions of Ahirs are: Yaduvanshi, Nandvanshi, and Gwalvanshi.

Etymology[link]

Ahir is a Prakrit form of the Sanskrit word abhira (fearless),^{[citation needed]} The Indologist F. Max Müller stated in 1886 that the Abhira are the modern Ahir.^[5]

History[link]

Origin[link]

Asirgarh Fort, built by King Asa Ahir in Madhya Pradesh

Various theories exist regarding the origin of the Ahirs.

Sir William Wilson Hunter proposes that the word Ahir derives from the Sanskrit Ahi (snake) and that snake worship, compounded by other cultural facts, suggests a Scythic origin.^{[citation needed]} However, J. C. Nesfield refutes it by saying that snake worship is not peculiar to scythics but a common practice all over India, and he also argues that it is absurd to derive Ahir from ahi, a Sanskrit word, when the original name of the community is Abhira, and Ahir its Prakrit corruption. One study^{[citation needed]} in Deccan Ahirs have found out existence of totemistic septs, which is regarded as a sure sign of being non-Kshatriya, seconded by existence of a sect called Romabans, which is the regular corruption of word romak, frequently found in Sanskrit works on astronomy, and identified by Prof. Weber to be the town Alexandria in Egypt, from where the science of astronomy was cultivated and from whom people of India borrowed the concepts of astronomy. It is argued that foreign hordes from Romak might have settled in India, and incorporated into Ahirs.^[6]

Bhagwan Singh Suryavanshi claims that archaeological research in Deccan has revealed the presence of pastoral people of Neolithic era, who shares many attributes of Abhira. Hence, Abhira might have been present much earlier than what has been postulated so far. Finally he concludes, they spread from Indus to Mathura, and migrated southward and eastward.^[7] He also claims that similarity of culture and common belief that they are descendant of the god Krishna, is the proof that they sprang from a common source.

Finally, he concludes from Padma Purana, where Vishnu informed Abhiras, "I shall be born among you, O Abhiras, at Mathura in my eighth birth". D. R. Bhandarkar, supports the non-Aryan origin theory, by directly relating Krishna to the Rig Veda's "Krishna Drapsah", where he fights Aryan god Indra. Added to this Karmakar, shows Harivamsa says Yadu was born of Harynasva and Madhumati, who was the daughter of Madhu. Madhu says all the territory of Mathura belongs to Abhiras.^[8] Further, Mahabharata describes Abhira as forming one of the seven republics, Samsaptak Gunas, and as a friend of Matsyas, a pre vedic tribe.^[8]

Early history[link]

Ancient Sanskrit scholars such as Pāṇini, Chanakya and Patanjli mentioned Ahirs as followers of Bhagawat sect of Hindu religion.^[9][10][11]

In religious scriptures[link]

The Manusmrti refers to Abhiras as sons of Brahmin and Ambashta. The earliest inscription about them refers to them as Abhira Brahmin.^[12]

Ptolemy and Sreemad Bhagwatam wrote similar accounts of a country called Abhira at the mouth of the river Indus. Nineteenth century writers, such as Christian Lassen Gesenius, Sir Emerson Tennent, and Max Müller, mentioned an "Ophir", a seaport on the southwest coast of India which may correspond to Ophir,^[13] mentioned in the Tanakh. In the Coptic language, Sofir, the name of India, refers to Surabhir.

The original cult of Krishna, especially the aspect dealing with Krishna's boyhood in Vrindavan and his dalliances with the Gopis, has been attributed to the Ahir or Abhir tribe. The merging of this Krishna with the hero of the Mahabharat did not occur until about 4th century CE^[14][15][16]

Map of "Bharatvarsha" (Kingdom of India) during the time of Mahabharata and Ramayana. (Title and location names are in English.)

Ahir kingdoms[link]

Royal emblem of Kalachurya. Kalachuri belonged to Abhira Dynasty

Ahir kings ruled present-day India and beyond. At the beginning of the Christian era (CE), the invading Scythians and Kushans forced most of the Ahirs to lower Rajasthan in the Arbuda (Aravali region). In Marubhumi (Marwar), Saurashtra and Maharashtra areas, they served the local rulers and established their own rule. Ahirs laid the foundation of Ahir Batak town, which was called Ahrora, located in Central provinces, and Ahirwar in Jhansi district in 108 CE. Rudramurti Ahir became the chief of the army and later on the King. Madhuriputra, Ishwarsen and Shivdutta were well-known kings of this lineage. Ishwarsena, a great Ahir general, became master of Western Deccan in place of the famous Satavahanas. He took the title of Rajan and an era was named after him. His descendants continued to rule for nine generations. This generation of Abhira kings ruled for 167 years till last of them was ousted by their Traikutaka feudatory in AD 415.^[17] It is generally supposed that Traikutakas were a different dynasty of Abhira,^[18][19] and hence are sometimes called Abhira-Traikutika.^[20] Indradutta, Dahrasena & Vyaghrasena were well known kings from this dynasty.^[21] Traikutakas were known for their Vaishnava faith, who claimed to be Yadav of Haihaya branch^[22] and Dahrasena performed Ashvamedha yajna too^[23] Abhira Era started by Ishwarsena in AD 249, continued with them and was called Abhira-Traikutika era.^[24] This era was later continued by Kalachuri Dynasty, calling it Kalachuri era, and later Kalachuri-Chedi era.^[25] After the rule of five traikuta kings, they retired to central provinces and assumed the name Haiyhaya (Chedi) and Kalachuri.^[26] Historians call this entire era as Abhira-Traikutika-Kalachuri-Chedi era^[27]

In a cave inscription at Nashik, references were made to an Ahir prince named Ishwersena, son of Shivdutta. Another inscription, found at Gunda and dated 181 CE, in the reign of the Kshatrapa Rudrasinha, described his general Rudrabhuti, who was called Ahir. When the kathis arrived in Gujarat, they found the greater part of the country controlled by Ahirs. The old fort Asirgarh(short of Asa Ahir Garh), in Khandesh, retains the name of its founder Asa Ahir. For centuries the Ahirs were eclipsed as a political power in Haryana until the time of the Pratihara dynasty.^{[citation needed]}

Ahirs ruled the whole of Haryana under the Mogul rule and later were declared as independent kings. Vātsyāyana also noted the Abhira kingdoms in the Kama Sutra.Ahirs also ruled beyond the geographical borders of present-day India, as kings of the hilly terrain of Nepal. Eight kings of the first Ahir dynasty ruled Nepal, the first being Bhuktaman and the last Yaksha Gupta. Owing to pastoral disputes, this dynasty was replaced by another Ahir dynasty. The second Ahir dynasty had a succession of three kings: Badasimha, Jaymati Simha, and Bhuban Simha. Their rule ended when the Kirati invaders defeated Bhuban Simha.^{[citation needed]}

Ahir kings[link]

Painting of Jahal, sonbai and Devat Bodar who is killing his own son Uga to save RaNavghan

• Ra Mandalika (ruler of Somnath)
• Ra Graharipu
• Rao Tula Ram
• King Porus
• Rudramurti Ahir
• Madhuriputra (mingled with Rajputs) ^[28]
• Samudragupta ^[28]
• Ishwarsena (Western Deccan)
• Virsen (Jalgaon)^[29]
• Shivdutta ^[28]
• Indranigupta (a.k.a. Sudraka)
• Bhuktaman (Nepal)
• Jaya Gupta (Nepal)^[30]
• Param Gupta (Nepal)
• Harsha Gupta (Nepal)
• Bhim Gupta (Nepal)
• Vishnu Gupta (Nepal)
• Jaya Gupta II (Nepal)
• Yaksha Gupta (Nepal)
• Vishva Gupta (Nepal)
• Bhumi Gupta (Nepal)
• Jishnu Gupta (Nepal, His inscription reads Kshatriya of the Lunar Dynasty, Somavansa Bhushana)^[31]
• Badasimha
• Jaymati Simha
• Bhuban Simha

The British civil servant Meadows Taylor noted of the Yaduvanshi subset of Ahirs: Some of the Jad-bansis have embraced Islam, and, in common with certain other tribes, are known as Ranghars.^[32]

Colonial depictions[link]

According to Herbert Hope Risley, who favoured a methodology now known as scientific racism, Ahirs of Mathura and Rajputana are characterized by tall stature, light brown complexion and finer features.^[33]

As a martial race[link]

The British rulers of India classified the Ahirs amongst the "martial races",^[34] and they were recruited into the army from 1898.^[35] In that year, the British raised four Ahir companies, two of which were in the 95th Russell's Infantry.^[36] The community continued their involvement with extensive participation in the Indian Army and police forces of independent India.^[37]

Subdivisions[link]

In many listings, Ahirs are divided into Yaduvanshi, Nandvanshi, and Gwalvanshi branches.^[38]

Distribution[link]

North India[link]

For centuries the Ahirs were eclipsed as a political power in Haryana until the time of the Pratihara dynasty. In time they became independent rulers of Southwest Haryana. They are majority in the region around Behror, Alwar, Rewari, Narnaul, Mahendragarh, Gurgaon^[39] and Jhajjar^[40][41] which is therefore known as Ahirwal or the abode of Ahirs.

Yadav dominated areas in National Capital Region(NCR) includes Gurgaon, Noida, Manesar, Behror,^[42] Neemrana,^[43] Bawal, Dharuhera, Pataudi, Bhiwadi, Badshahpur, Kosli, Alwar and Rewari.This belt is also called as Ahirwal Belt. Delhi has 40 villages.^[44] neighbouring Gurgaon has 106 villages ^[45] and Noida has around 30 villages.^[46][47]

Thousands of Yadav villagers from Gurgaon and Manesar are millionaires today after selling their agricultural land to private builders and HUDA,^{[clarification needed]} and many have become property dealers.^[48][49]

Rajasthan and Gujarat[link]

Kachchh (Kutch) District, State of Gujarat

There is a great concentration of Ahirs in Kutch.^{[citation needed]} There are five main castes of Ahirs in Kutch: Prantharia, Mochhaya, Boricha, and Sorathia and Vagadia. These communities are mainly of farmers who once sold milk and ghee but who now have diversified their businesses because of the irregularity of rain. The other community is of Bharwads those of Saurashtra use Ahir^[50] as a surname,^[51] Bharwad consider themselves as Nandvanshi Ahirs.^[50][52] Their mother tongue is Gujrati.

Rajasthan has 26 districts of which seven have Ahir Sabhas. These are Tonk, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur, Boondi, Kota, Jhalawara Sikar and Alwar.^[53]

The very ancient race of Ahir also appears in Gujrat, once a ruling race, as inscriptions and grants mention their princes. Traditionally they appear in frequent connection with the Yadava – in the Krishan legend. Some historians say they may be Turanian.^[54][55]

In Jamnagar and Junagadh[link]

There is large number of Ahir population in Jamnagar and Junagadh, who have been said to be migrated along with Krishna during his migration from Mathura to Dwarka (Jamnagar). Ahirs in rural areas of Jamnagar and Junagadh are mainly involved in agriculture, while those migrated to cities of Jamnagar and Junagadh are involved in business of construction, real estate, travels agency and heavy construction machinery.^{[citation needed]} The Ahirs of Jamnagar region are the economically fastest developing community of Jamnagar in year 2009, with growth rate of around 80%.^{[citation needed]}

Maharashtra[link]

In Marubhumi (Marwar), Saurashtra and Maharashtra, Ahirs served the local rulers and established their own rule. Ishwarsena, an Ahir general, became master of Western Deccan in place of the Satava-hanas. He took the title of Rajan and an era was named after him. His descendants continued to rule for nine generations.^{[citation needed]}

There is a significant concentration of Ahers (as they are locally known) in Northern Maharashtra. They are influential in politics, administration. They are all Kshatriyas with classification as 96 Kuli Marathas since the establishment of Hindavi Swaraj by Shivaji.^{[citation needed]}

With the downfall of the Rashtrakutas which ruled Pune from the 8th century AD to the middle of the 10th century.It went under the control of the Yadavs. The Yadavs ruled Maharashtra from 10th century AD to the end of the 13th century. Singhania, the Yadav ruler was a lover of literature and art. Sant Dnyaneshwar, a Bhakti saint lived during this period. The Yadav rule came to an end with the coming of Ala-ud-din Khilji.^{[citation needed]}

Bundelkhand[link]

Historically, Ahir laid the foundation of Ahir Batak town which was later called Ahrora and Ahirwada in Jhansi district in AD 108. Rudramurti Ahir became the chief of the Army and later on, the king. Madhuriputa, Ishwarsen and Shivdatta were well-known kings from the lineage. As Jhansi was known for a long time as Ahirwada (land of Ahir's). Bundelkhand anciently known as Chedi Kingdom. The region is now divided between the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, with the larger portion lying in the latter. The major towns are Jhansi, Datia, Tikamgarh, Lalitpur, Sagar, Damoh, Orai, Panna, Hamirpur, Mahoba, Banda, Narsinghpur, Khajuraho and Chhatarpur. However, the cities of Gwalior, Jabalpur and even Bhopal are under close cultural influence of Bundelkhand, especially linguistically.

Ahirs from Ahirwada and Bundelkhand also known as Dau sahab (Dau saab). Dau sahab means the powerful and mighty of all. Up to 1800 AD, ruling class among Ahirs in Bundelkhand use Rao as their title name which was replaced by the title Maate. Maate means Mother Goddess or Supreme authority of that region. zamindar having control over multiple villages known as Maate.In Bundelkhand, Ahirs are considered to be very strong and powerful class. In Bundelkhand both Chandravanshi Rajputs/Thakurs (Ahirs, Chandela, Bundela) and suryavanshi Rajputs/Thakurs has equal status. Ahirs of Jhansi and Bundelkhand either came from Rewari or Gurgaon. A town 22 km from Jhansi known as Niwari which is named analogous to the name Rewari of Haryana, since Niwari is in jhansi zone it is also an Ahir dominant region.,^[56]

Culture[link]

Diet[link]

Scholar K. S. Singh noted that the Rajasthan Ahir are non-vegetarian, though cooking their vegetarian and non-vegetarian foods on separate hearths. Though they eat mutton, chicken, and fish, they do not eat beef or pork. Their staple is wheat, they eat millet in the winters, and rice on festive occasions. They drink alcohol, smoke biri and cigarettes, and chew betel.^[57] In Maharashtra, however, Singh states that the Ahir there are largely vegetarian, also eating wheat as a staple along with pulses and tubers, and eschewed liquor.^[58] Noor Mohammad noted in Uttar Pradesh that most Ahirs there were vegetarian, with some exceptions who engaged in fishing and poultry raising.^[59] In Gujarat, Rash Bihari Lal states that local Ahirs were largely vegetarian, ate Bajra and Jowar wheat with the occasional rice, and that few drank alcohol, some smoked bidi, and some of the older generation smoked hookahs.^[60] S. D. S. Yadava writes that Ahirs in Madhya Pradesh and some other areas eat meat, while those of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana are mostly vegetarian.^[61]

Dialects[link]

Ahirwati is an Indo-Aryan language, classified as a Rajasthani language,^[62] and is spoken in the Mahendragarh and Rewari districts of Haryana. According to historian Robert Vane Russell Ahirwati is language of Yaduvanshi Ahirs and spoken in Rohtak and Gurgaon districts of Punjab (now Haryana) and Delhi. This is akin to Mewati, one of the forms of Rajasthani or the language of Rajputana.^[63]

Politics[link]

The Ahirs were one of the more militant Hindu groups, including in the modern era. For example, in 1930, about 200 Ahirs marched towards the shrine of Trilochan and performed puja in response to Islamic tanzeem processions.^[64]

Through numerous political parties such as the Samajwadi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Janata Dal (Republic), Janata Dal the Yadavs have considerable political influence, especially in the North Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.^[65] Laloo Yadav became the chief minister of Bihar and Mulayam Singh in UP and in Madhya Pradesh Subhash Yadav became the Deputy chief minister for two terms. Arun Subhash Yadav became the Centre Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises.

• Siddaramaiah became the Deputy chief minister for two terms.
• Rao Birender Singh became the chief minister of Haryana and his son Rao Inderjit Singh became Minister of State of External Affairs and Defence.
• Chaudhary Brahm Prakash was the first chief minister of Delhi.Ram Baran Yadav became President of Nepal.Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev started a political party called Swabhiman.^[66]

All-India Yadav Mahasabha[link]

The emergence of an English-educated elite among the Yadavs led to the formation of the All-India Yadava Mahasabha in 1924 in Allahabad. The AIYM immediately engaged itself in two issues. It appealed to its castemen in all regions to add "Yadav" to their names and at the same time launched on a major programme of social reform. The regional organisation of the Gollas of Hyderabad, the Hyderabad Rashtra Yadav Mahajana Samajam, for example, appealed to the Census Commission that their caste names of Golla, Gowli, Gollawar and Ahir be changed to Yadava.^[67]

All India Yadav Mahasabha is also pressing Indian government for the formation of Yadav regiment in Indian Army after they showed their bravery in the 1965 Indo-China war. In 1966 the AIYM held its annual conference in Etawa, with Mulayam Singh Yadav as chairman of the reception committee and Rao Birender Singh the scion of the Rewari dynasty as president.^{[68][69] [70]}

See also[link]

• Ahir clans
• Abhira tribe

References[link]

External links[link]

• Maharastra History at Maharashtra.gov.in
• Ahir Community.com (Gujarati Ahirs)

Prem Joshua (Hindi: प्रेम जोशुआ) is a German musician, active since 1991.

Born in Germany, Joshua learned the flute at the age of five and played the flute and the saxophone for various local bands. At the age of 18, he traveled overland to India studying the indigenous folk music of countries along the way.^[1] Joshua was the name his parents gave him, he later added Prem to it, dropping the family name, to remind him of the essence of love (Prem literally means love in Hindi).^[2]

On reaching India, Joshua learned to play the sitar from Ustad Usman Khan and Osho. Osho inspired him and his music.^[3] His website states that "In the presence of this man with a long white beard, eyes as deep as the ocean and a strong sense of humor, he came in touch with the art of the “inner music” - Silence. This was really coming home!"

Throughout his career, he has experimented with various forms of music, creating a blend of the East and the West. He has also worked extensively with other producers, making remixes of his own songs and infusing traditional Hindustani acoustic instruments with lounge and trance beats. His music has immensely contributed to the Asian Underground and fusion scene.

In 1991, Joshua launched his first project, “Terra Incognita”, with Kora player, Ravi, and British Sarod player, Chinmaya Dunster, with which he released two albums. He subsequently released four solo albums and formed the band, “Hamsafar”, with which he released one album. Following this, Joshua began to experiment with genres like drum and bass, lounge, and trance, while still focusing on traditional Hindustani music.^[4]

Band members[link]

Chintan Relenberg — Loops, Keyboards, Darbouka, Tabla, Vocals
Raul Sengupta — Tabla, Percussion, Vocals
Satgyan Fukuda — Bass, Percussion, Vocals
Prem Joshua — Sitar, Flute, Saxophone, Dilruba, Santoor, Vocals
Runa Rizvi — featured vocalist

Discography[link]

• No Goal But The Path - with Terra Incognita, New Earth Records, 1991
• Tribal Gathering - with Terra Incognita, New Earth Records, 1992
• Tales of a Dancing River - New Earth Records, 1993
• Hamsafar - New Earth Records, 1994
• Desert Visions - New Earth Records, 1995
• Secret of the Wind - New Earth Records, 1996
• Mudra - White Swan Records, 1998
• Sky Kisses Earth - White Swan Records, 1999
• Dance of Shakti - White Swan Records, 2001
• Water Down The Ganges - with Manish Vyas, Medial Music, 2001
• Shiva Moon - Prem Joshua Remixed by Maneesh de Moor - Medial Music, 2003
• Dakini Lounge - Prem Joshua Remixed - White Swan Records, 2003
• Yatri - Medial Music, 2004
• Ahir - with Chintan, Medial Music, 2006
• Taranga - White Swan Records, 2006
• Prem Joshua & Band In Concert [LIVE] - White Swan Records, 2009
• Luminous Secrets - Link to Album on Official Website, 2010

Sources[link]

• Prem Joshua - Albums
• White Swan Records - Featured Artists - Prem Joshua
• Allmusic

References[link]

External links[link]

• Prem Joshua - Official Website
• New Earth Records - Official Website
• White Swan Records - Official Website
• Trident Entertainment - Official Website
• Prem Joshua's LastFM Site

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Pt. Sanjeev Abhyankar
Background information
Birth name	Sanjeev Abhyankar
Origin	Pune, India
Genres	Khayal, Bhajans, Thumris, Natya Sangeet.
Occupations	Indian Classical singer
Instruments	Vocal
Years active	1980–1983, 1989–present
Website	http://www.sanjeevabhyankar.com/start.html

Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar is a Hindustani classical music vocalist of the Mewati Gharana.^[1]

He won the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1999, for his song, Suno Re Bhaila" in Hindi film Godmother ^[2]

Early life[link]

Sanjeev Abhyankar was born in Pune, India to Dr. Shobha Abyankar.

He started learning Hindustani Classical Music, at tender age of eight, groomed by his mother, and her guru Pandit Pimpalkhare and later from Padma Vibhushan Pandit Jasraj.^[3] Though his aim had been to pursue a career in music since childhood, he has acquired a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce.

Singing career[link]

Sanjeev Abhyankar rendered his first stage performance in Mumbai, at the age of 13 in 1983.^[4] Since then, he has traveled extensively all over the country, performing in conferences and art circles around the world, spreading the fragrance of Indian Classical music to the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.

He has several albums with HMV, Music Today, Sony Music, Times Music, Navaras Records U.K., Neelam Audio Video U.S.A., Sona Rupa U.K., BMG Cressendo, Ninaad Music, Fountain Music & Alurkar Music. He has also given playback for films such as Maachis, Nidaan, Sanshodhan, Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar and Banaras.

Besides performing in art circles throughout India, he has performed in commercial conferences such as Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Samaroh, Pune;Baba Harvallabh Samaroh, Jalandhar; ITC SRA Sangeet Sammelan and Doverlen Conference, Calcutta; Vishnu Digambar Paluskar Jayanti Samaroh, Mumbai; International Melody Foundation's Ustad Amir Khan Samaroh and Gunidas Festival, New Delhi; Swami Haridas Sammelan, Vrindavan; Pandit Motiram Sangeet Samaroh, Hyderabad; Ustad Allauddin Khan Samaroh and Ustad Amir Khan Samaroh, Madhya Pradesh; Saptak Conference, Ahmedabad; Master Dinanath Sangeet Mahotsav, Goa; Hindustani Kalakar Mandali Conference, Bangalore; and the Kalidas Samaroh, Nagpur.

Awards and recognition[link]

He has received many awards which include the President's award from All India Radio in 1990, the F. I. E. Foundation National Award 1996, The coveted National Award 1998 as the best male playback singer, for the Hindi film Godmother, the title 'Sur Ratna', Rotary Vocational Excellence Award 2002 and Pandit Jasraj Gaurav Puraskar.

The Artist[link]

From the knowledge of his guru, Pandit Jasraj, and with his own talent and skill, Sanjeev has established himself as a major exponent in the world of Indian Classical Music. Sanjeev's style has a very meditative and soothing approach, complemented by his vocal range and depth.

Sanjeev's award winning playback singing in the film Godmother, as well as his impassioned renditions of Marathi Abhangs and Bhajans reflect his music's easy grace and versatility. By adding his own classical compositions (Bandishes), he has contributed to the already existing vast repertoire of Mewati rachanas.

As a contemporary musician, Sanjeev, as well as many other contemporary, feel the inspiration to innovate in music. "Jasrangi" is a specialty of Sanjeev which he has performed with Durga Jasraj, Kala Ramnath and Smt. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande .

Students[link]

Abyankar and his mother Dr. Shobha Abhyankar together have trained a young maestro of Hindustani Classical Music, Sandeep Ranade.

References[link]

1. ^ Sanjeev Abhyankar
2. ^ Awards
3. ^ Sanjeev Abhyankar Profile
4. ^ A flight of his own The Hindu, December 8, 2006.

External links[link]

• Sanjeev Abhyankar Website
• Sanjeev Abhyankar at the Internet Movie Database

Shivkumar Sharma
Sharma performing in Pune, Maharashtra 17 July 2009
Background information
Born	(1938-01-13) January 13, 1938 (age 74) Jammu Jammu & Kashmir
Origin	Dogra from Jammu, India
Genres	Hindustani Classical Music
Instruments	Santoor
Years active	1955–present
Associated acts	Rahul Sharma
Website	www.santoor.com

Shivkumar Sharma (born January 13, 1938, Jammu, India^[1]) is an Indian Santoor player.^[2][3] The Santoor is a folk instrument^[1][4] from Kashmir^[5] and Jammu.^[6] Sharma is often referred to by the title Pandit.^[3]

Early life[link]

Born in Jammu to the singer^[7][8] Uma Dutt Sharma.^[9] His mother tongue is Dogri. In a 1999 interview to rediff.com, Shivkumar said that his father started teaching him vocals and tabla when he was just five.^[8] He goes on to say that Uma Dutt Sharma did "extensive research" on Santoor, and decided that Shivkumar should be the first Musician to play Indian Classical Music on Santoor. So he started learning Santoor at the age of thirteen,^[8] and made Uma Dutt Sharma's dream come true.^[1] He gave his first public performance in Bombay in 1955.

Career[link]

Sharma in 1988

Shivkumar Sharma is the master instrumentalist of the Santoor, after some years as a vocalist. He is credited with making the Santoor a popular Classical Instrument.^[4][10] In a 1999 interview to rediff.com, Shivkumar said that it was his father who decided that he should play the Santoor and that he never thought he would be choosing it when he started learning music.^[8] He composed the music of Shantaram's Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje^[11] in 1956. He recorded his first solo album in 1960.^[1]

In 1967, he teamed up with flautist Hariprasad Chaurasia and Brij Bhushan Kabra to produce a concept album, Call of the Valley (1967) which turned out to be one of the greatest hits in Indian Classical Music.^[1][10] He has composed music for many Hindi films in collaboration with Hariprasad Chaurasia^[12] starting with Silsila^[11] (1980). They came to be known as the 'Shiv-Hari' music duo.^[11] Some of the movies they composed music for that were big musical hits are Faasle (1985), Chandni (1989), Lamhe (1991) and Darr (1993).

Personal life[link]

Sharma married Manorama^[9][13] and has three sons.^[8] His son, Rahul,^[14][15] is also a Santoor Player^[16][17] and they have performed together since 1996.^[8] In a 1999 interview to rediff.com, Shivkumar stated that he chose Rahul as his shishya because he thought he had the "gift of God".^[8]

Awards[link]

Shivkumar is the recipient of national and international awards, including an honorary citizenship of the city of Baltimore, USA, in 1985,^[18] the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1986,^[19] the Padma Shri in 1991, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2001.^[20]

Awards (classical and film)[link]

• Platinum Disc for Call of the Valley
• Platinum Disc for music of film Silsila
• Gold Disc for music of film Faasle
• Platinum Disc for music of film Chandni
• Special Award for outstanding music and sale of film Lamhe
• Special Award for outstanding music and sale of film Darr

Discography[link]

• Call of the Valley, with Brij Bhushan Kabra and Hariprasad Chaurasia (1967)
• The Glory Of Strings - Santoor (1991), T-Series
• Raga Bhopali vol I (1993)
• Raga Kedari vol II (1993)
• Hundred Strings of Santoor (1994)
• Hypnotic Santoor (1994)
• The Pioneer of Santoor (1994)
• Raag Bilaskhani Todi (1994)
• World Network Series, Vol. 1: India- Raga Purya Kalyan, with Zakir Hussain (1995)
• Santoor (Raag Rageshri) (1998)
• Sampradaya (1999)
• Rasdhara (1999)
• Vibrant Music for Reiki (2003)
• Sympatico (Charukeshi - Santoor)(2004)
• The Inner Path (Kirvani - Santoor) (2004)
• Essential Evening Chants (2007)
• A Morning Raga Gurjari Todi (2010)

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shivkumar Sharma

• www.santoor.com - Official Site
• Shivkumar Sharma at Allmusic