Bal Gandharva
Bal Gandharva | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Narayan Shripad Rajhans |
| Born | 26 June 1888 Nagthane, Palus taluka, Sangli, Maharashtra Bombay Presidency, British India |
| Died | 15 July 1967 (aged 79) Pune, Maharashtra, India |
| Genres | Musicals (Sangeet Natak) |
| Occupation(s) | Singer and stage actor |
| Years active | 1905–1955 |
Narayan Shripad Rajhans, popularly known as Bal Gandharva, (26 June 1888 – 15 July 1967) ⓘ was a famous Marathi singer and stage actor. He was known for his roles as female characters in Marathi plays, since women were not allowed to act on stage during his time.
Bal Gandharva got his name after a singing performance in Pune. Lokmanya Tilak, a social reformer and a freedom fighter of the Indian independence movement was in the audience, and after the performance, reportedly patted Rajhans on the back and said that Narayan was a "Bal Gandharva" (lit. Young Gandharva).