Shankarrao Biniwale

Shankarrao Biniwale was a gifted violinist who played music during the screenings of silent films, especially those of Bhalji Pendharkar such as Savitri (1936), as well as a music composer. He composed and played music for V Shantaram’s first talkie, Ayodhyecha Raja (1932). 

Born into the aristocratic family of Sardar Biniwale from Pune, the 9th generation of Visaji Krishna Biniwale, the untimely death of his father saw Shankarrao stepping into the family business of course, under the guidance of his elder brother. He found the work uninspiring. He found his passion the day he chanced upon an old violin in the attic of their home, which his brother had purchased a few years ago. Afraid of the reaction of the elders of his family, Shankarrao took to experimenting with the instrument on the topmost floor of their residence. Endowed with a natural gift for the violin, he started learning the intricacies of the instrument spontaneously and on his own, minus any guidance. 

Impressed by his skill, his elder brother arranged for Shankarrao to be trained by the well-known Hindustani music vocalist and violinist - Gajananbua Joshi. Joshi was thoroughly impressed by Shankarrao’s playing and later also invited the latter to Aundh. Returning to Pune, Shankarrao began providing live background music at Krishna theatre during the screening of silent films. Gradually, his skill as a violinist became so well-known that audiences would apparently watch the same film two to three times over simply to enjoy his playing. 

When Prabhat Film Company decided to make a talkie Ayodhyecha Raja, Govindrao Tembe was entrusted with the responsibility of composing music for the film. Tembe invited Shankarrao on board, and the latter went on to also play the violin pieces that featured in the film. 

At 24, restless to further explore the realm of music, Shankarrao collected the savings he had earned via his job at Prabhat and his stage programmes to buy himself a ticket aboard the SS Conte Rosso. Even while on board the ship, he was unclear about his own plans and stay in Europe. In a fortuitous coincidence, travelling on the same ship was Italian violinist Fede de Nye Mariano who was returning to his country after an Australian tour. Hearing Shankarrao practicing the violin in his cabin, Mariano was highly impressed. He suggested to Shankarrao that he stay at his house in Italy, where they could each teach the other their genre of music. Shankarrao needed no further persuasion. 

Shankarrao went on to stay for six months in the small town of Ventemilia (Ventimiglia) which was situated on the border of Italy and France. Learning Western music from Mariano, he also promoted Indian music through various programmes he conducted there. His fame grew and he was invited by Italian leader Mussolini to play at his palace in Naples. During his 45-minute audience with Mussolini, Shankarrao played Natya sangeet and Raag sangeet for the Fascist dictator.

Shankarrao went on to organise several programmes across Europe, including France, Holland and England. He became the first Indian artist to give a solo violin performance on BBC. News about him was featured in many British newspapers such as the London Times, and Sunday Referee. A Dutch newspaper went so far as to dub him ‘British-India’s Yehudi Menuhin’. 

On returning from Europe, the ever-modest Shankarrao did not tom-tom his achievements. He went on to work in the industry for makers like Bhalji Pendharkar and M G Rangnekar. While he played the violin for Pendharkar’s film Savitri, in Ranganekar’s Natyaniketan he played the violin for plays such as Radhamai, and Kulavadhu. He also accompanied singers like Vinayakbuva Patwardhan, Panditrao Nagar, Jagannathbua Pandharpurkar, Sulochana Palkar, Shanta Apte, Jyotsna Bhole and Shahu Modak. 
Performing independently in programmes, Shankarrao also worked in All India Radio and ‘Young India’ Gramophone Company in Bombay. Eventually, he started providing violin training classes at his 2, Narayan Peth, Pune residence. He continued to draw admirers, including journalists like B D Kher, writers, and artists like Pratap Mulik, who visited him regularly. 

Interestingly, when he married he insisted on teaching his 15-year-old wife to play the tabla and all its intricacies. It was a mark of considerable courage and rebellion, back in the day. His grandson Kaushal Inamdar is a music director and singer. 

Shankarrao Biniwale passed away on 15 July, 1995, within a week of his wife’s first death anniversary.