His real name was Madhav Moreshvar Kale. But he was known as Balasaheb Guruji in Gwalior. He was in cavalry of the Gwalior state and was a trusted officer of Madhavrao Sindhia. His ancesters came to Gwalior from Maharashtra during the period of Ranoji Sindhia.
He was trained in Khayal, Tappa by Haddu Khan of Gwalior Gharana. He was known for his brilliant Taan in three and half octaves. He also trained singers such as Nanubhaiya Telang and Balabhau Umdekar. Being a military servant, he went outside Gwalior very rarely, but performed in Jalandhar, Pune (in 1901), etc. He passed away around 1019.