HUBBALLI: The family members of Hindustani legend Gangubai Hangal are vertically divided over the maintenance of her residence ‘Ganga Lahiri’.
On Monday, Baburao Hangal, the doyenne’s second son, complained to suburban police against his daughter Anita and her husband Mahesh Talakad for allegedly illegally staying at the residence. On Wednesday morning, the health of Baburao worsoned, necessitating medical treatment in Bengaluru.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday, Baburao, 90, had urged the state government to take over ‘Ganga Lahari’ and maintian it as a museum. ‘Ganga Lahari’ is located on 4,000sqft area in Deshpande Nagar here.
“Showcasing the residence as a museum will inspire future generations of musicians,” he said.
“I’m hurt after seeing at the condition of the museum, for which my elder son Manoj strived all his life. But Anita and Mahesh have demolished it. My mother’s prized possessions — awards, titles, photos with legendary artistes and great personalities — have been damaged,” he claimed.
The Museum of Indian Classical Music was inaugurated by Pandit Jasaraj, said Arun Hangal, son of Baburao.
“My father spent all his life with ajji (Gangubai), and this contineued even after his mother’s death in 1963. He (Baburao) and my late brother Manoj dedicated their life to look after ajji and her museum. But today, my father is not even allowed there,” he claimed.
Gangubai had three children — daughter late Krishna Hangal and sons Baburao Hangal and Narayanrao Hangal.
“After Manoj’s death in May 2019, Baburao, then 88, moved to Bengaluru. “Till then, he was the caretaker of Ganga Lahari. But his voice is suppressed now,” Arun said.