Basavaraj Rajguru

Pandit Basavraj Rajguru (24 August 1920 – 1991) was a leading Indian classical vocalist in the Kirana gharana (singing style).

Basavraj was born into a family of scholars, astrologers and musicians in Yaliwal, a village in the north Karnataka district of Dharwad, a great centre of classical music.

After the passing away of Gawai in 1944, Basavraj moved to Bombay and had the chance to learn from the Kirana musician and teacher Sawai Gandharva.

But Sawai Gandharva was suffering from paralysis and had to leave Bombay, so he told Sureshbabu Mane, another Kirana musician, to teach Basavraj.

Basavraj's repertoire ranged from the pure classical, Khyal, to Vachanas, Natyageet, Thumri, and Ghazal (different styles of Indian music) spanning eight languages.