Balwantrai Bhatt

• Name — Balwant Rai Bhatt • Born — 23 September 1921 • Died — 2 May 2016 • Origin — Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India • Genre — Hindustani Classical Music • Occupation — Composer, Singer

Balwant Rai Bhatt was born in Bhavnagar, Gujarat to Smt. Harkunvar and Shri Gulabrai Bhatt on 23 September 1921.

Bhatt was a disciple of Pandit Omkarnath Thakur of Gwalior Gharana. In 1950, he moved to Varanasi with his mentor setting up a music institution named Kala Sangeet Bharati at the Banaras Hindu University. He taught at the university for 31 years. The music institution grew and evolved through the years, and was the Faculty of Performing Arts. Apart from being an educator, he was known as an exceptionally talented composer. He was considered a complete Vaggeyakaar, one who composes both Vak or the word (couplets, poems) and the Geya (literally translated to singable) or the melody. He has a penchant for layakari, and many of his compositions incorporate intricate laya (tempo) patterns. Many of his compositions have been published in book form as the three volumes of Bhavrang Lahari. Bhavrang was his pen name. He was 'Gurubandhu' Classmate of Pt.Jashvantrai Bhatt(Disciple of Omkarnathji).