K.G. Ginde

K. G. Ginde (Krishna Gundopant Ginde; 26 December 1925 – 13 July 1994) was an Indian classical singer and pedagogue whose career was closely tied to teaching and the transmission of Hindustani music. Born in Bailhongal near Belgaum, he was the eighth among nine children and was affectionately called “Chhotu” by family and friends.

At the age of eleven, he moved to Lucknow to begin formal training under the noted musicologist and musician S. N. Ratanjankar. This training had a lasting impact on his musical development and remained the primary influence on his style and approach to raga music.

In 1951, Ginde relocated to Mumbai to join Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan as a music teacher. His role there placed him within one of the important institutional centers for music education in post-independence India. He later went on to serve as principal of Vallabh Sangeet Vidyalaya, where he contributed to structured music training and mentorship.

His standing in the music community was reflected in the respect he received from leading musicians. On the occasion of his 60th birthday, prominent figures such as Bhimsen Joshi, Kumar Gandharva, and Purushottam Laxman Deshpande were noted to have attended his celebration, indicating his connections within the Hindustani classical fraternity.

K. G. Ginde passed away on 13 July 1994 in Calcutta at the age of 68 following a heart attack. He is remembered primarily as a dedicated teacher and musician shaped by the scholarly tradition of his guru, S. N. Ratanjankar. His contribution lies in pedagogy and the continuation of classical training traditions through institutional and guru–shishya frameworks.