Gangubai Hangal
Gangubai Hangal was an Indian singer of the 'khyal' genre of Hindustani classical music, known for her deep and powerful voice. Hangal belonged to the Kirana gharana. Hangal's family was considered to be of low social status and for women of her generation singing was not considered appropriate employment; Hangal struggled against this prejudice and made a career. She performed all over India and for All India Radio stations until 1945. Hangal had initially performed light classical genres, including bhajan and thumri, but concentrated on khyal. Later, however, she refused to sing light classical and sang only ragas. Hangal served as honorary music professor of the Karnatak University. She gave her last concert in March 2006 to mark her 75th career year. She had overcome bone marrow cancer in 2003, and died of cardiac arrest at the age of 96 in 2009, in Hubli, where she resided.