At the recently concluded annual national music festival hosted by the 47-year-old Bhubaneswar Music Circle , he was the centre of attraction for the connoisseurs. His two-hour power packed and captivating solo recital that hooked the audience to their chairs and belied the fact that he is nearing his 70{+t}{+h} birthday. He was Pandit Laxman Krishnarao Pandit, the New Delhi based celebrated musician and scholar who represents the Gwalior gharana, the oldest tradition and the fountainhead of all subsequent styles in Hindustani music.
Born on March 5, 1934 into a family of musicians, Pandit happens to be the fifth in an unbroken lineage of legendary musicians. His grandfather, Pandit Shankarrao Pandit was a direct disciple of the founders of the Gwalior gharana - Ustad Haddu, Nathu and Nissar Hussain Khan. His father and guru was Padma Bhushan Pandit Krishnarao Shankar Pandit. And to his greatest joy and pride, daughter Meeta Pandit has also emerged as a frontline vocalist carrying forward the family legacy.
The accuracy of his notes in a crystal clear voice were amazing; so also unparalleled was his khayal gayaki style that he has imbibed from his father. He is one of the very few musicians today who can render the difficult genre of tappa- the most taxing form of singing that demands quick moves up and down in the octave calling for constant innovation – with ease and fluidity. The concert also gave glimpses of his mastery of tappa . And he won over the audience of Orissa by singing Orissa's 12{+t}{+h} century saint poet Jayadev's Gita Gobinda in the distinctly different khayal style. Much to their joy , the scholar-musician explained how the founders of the Gwalior gharana were deeply influenced by Jayadev's compositions.
Realising the relevance of Pandit's compositions that he has carefully crafted following decades of his sadhana , Sangeet Natak Akademi, All India Radio and Ford Foundation have recorded his compositions for their archival value.
A highly admired and respected guru, he was with the Faculty of Music at Delhi University as professor besides being a producer of music with the All India Radio during which he produced Prabhati , the highly popular serial on classical music that helped the laymen to appreciate the intricacies of classical music. For his immense contribution in the field of music, he has been honoured with a number of coveted titles, awards and honours that includes the Sangeet Natak Akademy Award, Sahitya Kala Parishad Award, Senior Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture and Pt. Omkar Nath Thakur Award.
Defying age, he is engrossed with a missionary zeal in teaching, documentation and performances to propagate the legacy that were handed over to him by his forefathers.
