Pandit Kumar Gandharva (pronunciation: [kumaːɾ ɡən̪d̪ʱəɾʋə], Kn: ಕುಮಾರ್ ಗಂಧರ್ವ; 8 April 1924 – 12 January 1992), originally known as Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkalimath was an Indian classical singer, well known for his unique vocal style and for his refusal to be bound by the tradition of any gharana.

Stories of Gandharva in this period depict a man lying in bed and listening to the sounds of nature around him: birds, the wind, and passing street singers.

Hess speculates that this was the beginning of Gandharva's radical new conception of the nirguni bhajan, which celebrates a formless (nirguna) divinity.

Some of Gandharva's musical philosophy is carried forward by his son Mukul Shivputra and daughter, as well as by students such as Madhup Mudgal, Vijay Sardeshmukh, and Satyasheel Deshpande.

For a long spell, Gandharva's activities as a musician were managed by his friend and tabla accompanist Vasant Acharekar.

Acharekar was Vasant Desai's assistant in the 1950s but later devoted himself fully to his role as an accompanist to classical singing until his death in the late 1970s.

Gandharva died on 12 January 1992, at his Dewas residence, Madhya Pradesh after a long history of lung infection ailment for decades.

[9] The Rashtriya Kumar Gandharva Samman was established by the government of Madhya Pradesh in 1992 as an annual national honour presented to outstanding talent in the field of music.

[10] The last in the series of four movies in the Kabir Project by Shabnam Virmani features the life of Gandharva and his disciples, his career, and his journey into "Nirgun" singing.

[11] 'Hans Akela' is a 78 minutes documentary on Kumar Gandharva made by Films Division of the Government of India, with interviews with various people – wife, friends, students.

[13] In September 2014, a postage stamp featuring Gandharva was released by India Post commemorating his contributions to Hindustani music.