Hirabai Barodekar

Hirabai Barodekar (1905–1989) is an Hindustani classical vocalist. Known for contributions to Hindustani classical music, performance, teaching, and repertoire building.

She was also an accomplished Marathi stage actress, highly regarded in Maharshtra. Hirabai acted in several movies, including "Suvarna Mandir", "Pratibha", "Janabai". She also acted in many Sangeet Natak-s (musical dramass) such as Saubhadra, Manapaman, Sadhvi Mirabai, Yugantar, etc. under her own company "Nutan Sangeet Sangeet Natak Mandali" as well as in other companies sharing stage with maestros like Pt Vinayakrao Patwardhan, Chhota Gandharva, Vasantrao Deshpande, etc.

She was the one who started ticked shows of herself and present her art with elegant outlook and for this she also got praise and support from Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar. She was truly pioneer of auditorium concerts by women artists in India. Her nature was so simple, down to earth and peaceful which was truly ideal for many female artists in next generations.

Hirabai became a recording artist very early in her career. Her 78 rpm recordings by HMV were very popular from early 1930's and they have been re-released by RPG in their Classical Gold series.