Remembering Kesarbai Kerkar – The Queen of Ragas Honored by India and NASA

Kesarbai Kerkar, often called “Sursree,” remains a towering figure in Hindustani classical singing. Born during Portuguese rule in Goa, her early fascination with melody led her to Kolhapur and later to the Jaipur‑Atrauli gharana under Ustad Allauddin Khan. Over eleven years of disciplined practice, she refined a vocal style marked by crystalline intonation and profound emotional resonance.

Her performance of “Jaat Kahan Ho” in raga Bhairavi became a cultural milestone when NASA selected it for the Voyager Golden Record, a time‑capsule destined for interstellar travel. This unprecedented inclusion highlighted how a regional Indian art form could symbolize humanity’s creative spirit to any extraterrestrial listener.

Domestically, Kerkar’s contributions were acknowledged with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1953 and the nation’s prestigious Padma Bhushan in 1969. Her relationship with the legendary poet Rabindranath Tagore further cemented her stature; Tagore’s admiration earned her the honorific “Sursree.” Though she died on September 16, 1977, her recordings continue to inspire students and connoisseurs, preserving a legacy that bridges earthbound traditions with cosmic ambition.