Kundgol

Introduction

Kundgol is Located in Dharwad District of Karnataka is about 14 km south-west of Hubli and 32 km south-west of Dharwad.

This town is the birthplace of Rambhau Kundgolkar (popular as Pandit Sawai Gandharva), a well known Hindustani musician. Gangubai Hangal, Bhimsen Joshi were his disciples.

History

Kundagol also comes under the core area of Western Chalukya Empire. The existence of 11th century Shri Shambhulingeshwara temple supports this claim. Prior to 1948, Kundgol was a non-contiguous part of the princely state of Jamkhandi.

Hindustani music and Kundgol

Rambhau Kundgolkar, popularly known as Sawai Gandharva, was born here in 1886.

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi travelled all over the country looking for an elusive guru. Finally a musician advised him to return home as the best guru was actually very near to his home, Sawai Gandharva in Kundgol. At first the guru rejected Joshi saying his voice is not good but, finally agreed to take him after seeing his determination and thirst for music.

According to Gangubai Hangal, Late Abdul Karim Khan visited Dharwad in 1900 and taught Sawai Gandharva, a guru who produced many great disciplines like Dr Hangal and Pandit Bhimsen Joshi. The Nadgir family of Kundgol is known for patronising Hindustani music.

To cater to the needs of cultural activities the Dharwad city boasts of an opera house Savai Gandharava Natyagraha named after the great Hindustani Musician Savai Gandharva the native of Kundgol town near Hubli, on the Hubli - Bangalore rail line. The great celebrity in Hindustani music of the modern times. Dr. Smt. Gangubai Hangal also hails from this place and a resident of Hubli.

was born in the family of musicians on 5 March 1913 at Dharwad. Her mother Smt Ambabai was a renowned carnatic singer and father Sri Chikkurao Nadiger of Ranebennur was an agriculturist. Dr Gangubai was Initiated into music by her mother. She learnt music under the guidance of Sri Krishnamacharya Hulgur and later under Sri Sawai Gandharv alias Sri Rambhau Kundgolkar a disciple of late Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, the main architect of kirana gharana school of music.

Tourism

At Kundgol there is a huge Shiva temple of 11th century called Shri Shambhulingeshwara Temple, built by Western Chalukyas. It is built with highly polished stones, which are dovetailed into one another. The carvings and images on the pillars are well cut.

On the side of the door steps of the temple, carvings of the Lion face a long scroll issuing from its mouth.

This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati. Although damaged, the exterior of the temple is decorated with lotus and kirtimukha faces and apparently hundreds of Brahmanical images.

This temple was a victim of Muhammadans. It was repaired by a former chief (During 1808-9).

Geography

Kundgol is located at 15.25°N 75.25°E / 15.25; 75.25. It has an average elevation of 615 metres (2017 feet).

Demographics

As of 2001 India census, Kundgol had a population of 16,837. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Kundgol has an average literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 73%, and female literacy is 54%. In Kundgol, 12% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Transport

There are KSRTC buses from Hubli and Dharwad and nearest towns to Kundagol. This town is also connected by Railway network and its Railway Station code is KNO.