Srinivas Khale, Marathi Musician Of  Sentience in Exuberance 

Srinivas Khale, who by his life and music, epitomized the sentience, simplicity and emotive essence of Marathi Musical world, dies at 85. The cause was old age, his family said.

His music had depth in simplicity, complicated notes that reveal exquisite beauty, emotive exuberance that was spiritual and yet it could easily appeal from masses to classes. He defined an era and style that took Marathi music into transcending experience even as he could easily compose innocence in nursery rhymes.

A sense of calmness, of attainment that had no attachments and honesty with no becoming defined his personality. An aura of greatness was never an obstacle in having dialogue with young struggling music aspirants just as he continued to do creative mainstream work even in his last days. His disciples gained reputation and few even became successful musicians. Shankar Mahadevan is one such known figure in Bollywood for his style and appetite for experimentation.

His financial condition, however, remained a problem throughout: his family woes never interfered in creative spirit trying to unveil the nature of self through music. The path was not easy. During one such difficult situation, he was prepared to sell his harmonium to survive and was dissuaded by his wife. This was the breaking point, and thereafter never thought of parting with the music, which was his soul, he said.

He became famous worldwide through his album “Abhanga Tukayache” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itRpCs0Y2vw) - lyrical harmonies of Saint Tukaram, with Lata Mangeshkar . It said that the album was even appreciated in Pakistan with its rare display of excellence. The joyous ripple in the pond of joyousness, a self revealed in the warm womb of bliss, (Anandache Dohi Anand Tarang: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2b7yJsmlE3s&feature=related) is one such eternal composition and a state of mind, Mr Khale always reveled in.

His associations and compositions with Late Pt. Bhimsen Joshi in Marathi and later Ram Shaam Gunagaan with Lata Mangeshkar and Pt Joshi, established his iconic position. He often took pride bringing two "Bharatranas" together for one creative endeavour. Abhangas with Pt. Bhimsen Joshi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S21sHLDyCF8&feature=related), made his reach to masses of worshiping Maharashtra. He also composed the admiration song of the state of Mahrashtra : Jay Jay Maharashtra Majha.

His friendship and long association with Marathi Poet with Mangesh Padgaonkar turned out to be a unique combination that gave many unforgettable tunes to Marathi world. The albums are on the highest selling chart list even today, is in itself a proof of its popularity in young generation. It was special, since the tunes were created only after the poem was made, and not the way round, Mr Khale always insisted. In fact, he said that the words in poem come with the tunes that uniquely identify with them. It is bestowed on us through the goddess, Saraswati, and it is she which renders them to you, not me, he once said.

He easily played with the beats and notes. He swirled through them taking an uplift, and then deeper descent with suddenly approaching that ecstatic position or “Sama” giving a joyous crescendo all throughout to the listener. One such often acclaimed composition is “Ya Chimnyano Parat Phira Re” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ciI9jaHKYw&feature=related). Composition with that painful wait for loved ones, especially offsprings, in a hope of their return in long unending sojourn at the fragile hour of dusk.

He was awarded with Padmabhushan by Government of India and “Lata Mangeshkar” award by Maharashtra State.