Pandit Basavraj Rajguru, often referred to as one of the Pancha Ratnas or Five Jewels of
Dharwad District, was born in
Karnataka on 24 August, 1917.
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit
Mallikarjun Mansur,
Gangubai Hangal and Pandit
Kumar Gandharva are the other musicians included in the Pancha Ratnas. Born to a family of scholars, Basavraj was introduced to classical music at the age of seven. Renowned musicians such as Ganayogi Panchakshari Gawai, Ustad Waheed Khan and Ustad Latif Khan were his teachers. He was known for his rendition of compositions by saints like Akkamahadevi and Nijaguna Shivayogi. Basavraj died in 1991.
