About Acharya Vishwanath Rao Ringe ‘Tanarang’

“If you want to spread the art of music, share it openheartedly.”

– Acharya Vishwanath Rao Ringe `Tanarang’

Born on December 6, 1920, Acharya Vishwanath Rao Ringe ‘Tanarang’ was an eminent hindustani classical music vocalist and composer who hailed from the Gwalior gharana. He was popularly known as ‘Acharya Tanarang’, as he composed nearly all of his bandishen under the title ‘Tanarang’. 

Acharya Tanarang was the disciple of Pandit Krishnarao Shankar Pandit of Gwalior gharana. He received rigorous training as a performer of khayal gayaki in Gwalior gharana style. He was awarded Sangeet Praveen and Sangeet Bhaskar from Shankar Gandharv Mahavidyalaya, Gwalior. In 1939, he established a music school called Bhartiya Sangeet Kala Mandir. His prominent disciples include Late Shri Krishna Toley (Jabalpur), Shri Prakash Vishwanath Ringe (Indore), Shri Vishwajeet Vishwanath Ringe (New Delhi), Smt. Pratibha Potdar (Sagar) and Dr. Abhay Dubey (Baroda). He taught music till his last breath.

Acharya Tanarang has been appreciated for his work by Pandit Krishanrao Shankar Pandit, Ramesh Nadkarni, Pt. L.K Pandit, Laxman Bhatt Tailang and many others. He was a prominent vocalist of All India Radio. His performances were broadcasted from various radio stations in India as well as from Lahore and Peshawar. Acharya Tanarang also created a Raag called, Raag Hemshri, which he performed in All India Radio.

Acharya Tanarang passed away at his residence in Indore, Madhya Pradesh on December 10, 2005. This website was launched in order to honour and realize Acharya Tanarang’s dream of spreading hindustani classical music around the globe. 

More about Acharya Tanarang’s Compositions:

Acharya Tanarang is credited for composing more than 1800 bandishen in about 200 Raags and different Taals like Ektal, Deepchandi, Trital, Tilwada, Chanchar, Dadra, Keharva, Jhaptaal, Adaa-Choutal, Roopak and so on. His name is also enlisted in the prestigious ‘Limca Book of Records’ for the same. His compositions include Bada Khyal, Chota Khyal, Chaturang, Tarana, Sadra, Sargam, Tillana and Sur Sagar.

Sur Sagar is a unique composition, in which the lyrics are same as the notes. For instance, the Raag Bhairavi Sur Sagar ‘Darsan De Sharade Maa’, the corresponding notes are DhaReSaNi Dha SaReDha Ma.

Acharya Tanarang’s compositions are a unique combination of sur, taal, laya, and bhava. All his bandishen are in Hindi and Brij languages. He has composed bandishen of various moods. Raag Khamaj bandish, ‘Chalo Hato Tanarang Mori Na Roko Gail’ is the description of Lord Krishna and how he used to tease the Gopies of Vrindavan. The selfish ends of people, prevailing in the present day society has been described in one of his Raag Bairagi compositions ‘Apani Garaj Janat Sab, Janat Na Auran Ki’.

He created sheer magic with his compositions and the audience used to get completely mesmerized. The minute details of all ragas can be heard in the compositions by Acharya ji, which not only created magic but touched the heart of several people.

Acharya Tanarang’s Books:

A man with marvelous understanding and passion for music, he penned a number of books which gives the details of various Raags and Bandishen of those Raags. Some of his books include:

Awards and Recognitions: 
  • Limca Book of Records for Most Compositions in Year 1999; Page # 222
  • Indo American Who’s Who Vol II – for Most Compositions in Year 1999; Page # 493
  • Reference Asia Vol II for Most Compositions in year 1986; Page # 143
  • Indo European Who’s Who Vol I for Most Compositions in year 1996; Page # 524
  • Biography International Vol III and Vol IV for Most Compositions in year 1992 – Page # 810
  • Sangeet Praveen from Shankar Gandharv Mahavidyalaya, Gwalior.
  • Sangeet Bhaskar from Shankar Gandharv Mahavidyalaya, Gwalior.
  • Honoured at Gwalior Gharana Sangeet Samaroh on 18th Oct 1992 by Late Smt. Vijayaraje Scindia, Rajmata of Gwalior.
External links: