Hussain Khan, a tabla player from the little hamlet of Bilagi, had six daughters. Allamma (Ahilya) was the first, followed by Amirbai, Gauhar (born in 1908), badi Munni, Chhoti Munni, and Nanhi Munni. And a Son, and his name was Dastgir.
Gauhar (Gauramma), who comes from a singing family, worked for the Vanivilas Natak mandali theatre group. Because they were close to Sangli/Miraj and Kolhapur and fell under the jurisdiction of the Bombay Presidency, Hubli, Dharwad, and Belgaum were regular locations for their theatrical company. Nilkanth Panchakshari Buwa, a blind instructor, taught Gauhar the fundamentals of classical music. Basavanna, the brother of the legendary classical vocalist Mallikarjuna Mansur, composed songs for Gauhar and played the harmonium during her performances.
Gauhar started acting in Marathi and Hindi films. She acted, sang and
also composed her own songs, but no records were brought out. Gauhar was
mesmerised by the famous Marathi singer cum actor BAL GANDHARVA. She first met
him in 1937, in actor Himalayawala's flat. From 1938, Gauhar remained with Balgandharva
till she died in 1964.
She acted in films
like Raas vilas-32, Kala Pahad and Sohni mahiwal-33, Kala vagh and Shak karta
Shivaji (M)-34, Pyar ki Maar-35, Bansriwala, Gol Nishan and Graduate-36, Kala
Bhoot and Chabuk swar-37, Vijay Danka-38, Hawai khatola and Swadesh sewa-46. Chabuk
Sawaar-37 was a stunt film a-la Fearless Nadiya style wherein she did some
stunts.
She must have sung atleast 100 songs but since
there were no records, there is no information. However, she has sung many
Marathi natyageet and Bhajans.
Some of the songs sung by Goharbai:
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