Who is known for the development of Chorus singing?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:
Pandit Vinay Chandra Mudgal is known for his significant contributions to the development and popularization of chorus singing in the realm of Indian classical music. He was the dynamic force behind the Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in New Delhi, an institution founded by his father, which served as a major center for music education and collective performance. Under his guidance, the Mahavidyalaya's choir became highly regarded and played a pioneering role in giving chorus singing a respectable and structured platform. His efforts in organizing group presentations of classical and national compositions were instrumental in adapting the traditionally solo-focused music system to a cohesive, multi-voice format, cementing his legacy as a champion of this art form.

The incorrect option is 1:
Pandit B. R. Deodhar (Balkrishna Raghunath Deodhar) was primarily a renowned musicologist, guru, and a direct disciple of Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande. His major contributions lie in the academic field, including establishing the School of Indian Music in Bombay and publishing influential books on the theory and practice of Hindustani music, such as the *Paryāy*. While he was a pivotal educator who systematized the teaching of music, his focus remained on solo pedagogy and theoretical documentation, rather than the institutional development of chorus singing.

The incorrect option is 3:
Vidushi Kishori Amonkar was a legendary figure in Hindustani classical music, famous for her unique and highly personalized rendition of the *khyal* based on the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. Her art was celebrated for its intense spiritual and emotional depth, known as *Rasa*, and her intricate melodic structures. Her career was singularly focused on solo classical vocal performance, striving for a profound, individual connection with the *raga*, which is essentially the antithesis of a chorus tradition.

The incorrect option is 4:
Begum Parveen Sultana is a highly accomplished and internationally celebrated Hindustani classical vocalist of the Patiala Gharana. She is revered for her phenomenal three-and-a-half-octave vocal range and her mesmerizing command over the most demanding variations in the *khyal* and light classical genres. Her entire musical career and celebrated body of work are dedicated to the highest standards of solo vocal performance, making her an eminent solo artist and not a figure associated with developing chorus singing.