13 Facts About Bal Gandharva

Narayan Shripad Rajhans, popularly known as Bal Gandharva, was a famous Marathi singer and stage actor.

Bal Gandharva 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.

Bal Gandharva was born in the Nagthane village of Palus taluka of Sangli district in what is the state of Maharashtra.

Eleven years later, in 1951, Bal Gandharva married Gauharbai Karnataki, sister of the famous singer-actress Amirbai Karnataki.

Bal Gandharva had made a career for herself as a stage actress with help of singing skills, and had worked with Narayanraao in theatrical productions, which is how they had fallen in love with each other.

Bal Gandharva started his singing career at a very young age singing bhajans.

Bal Gandharva started his career with Kirloskar Natak Mandali in 1905.

Bal Gandharva became the sole owner of the debt ridden company in 1921.

Bal Gandharva signed a contract with Prabhat Film Company to make six films.

Bal Gandharva soon formed an intimate relationship with Gohar Karnataki, known as Gauhar Bai, that scandalized traditional Maharashtrian society at that time.

Bal Gandharva acted in 27 classic Marathi plays and played a big part in making Sangeet Natak and Natya Sangeet popular among common masses.

Bal Gandharva acted in plays written by Annasaheb Kirloskar, Govind Ballal Deval, Shripad Krushna Kolhatkar, Krushnaji Prabhakar Khadilkar, Ram Ganesh Gadkari, Vasant Shantaram Desai.