Kumar Gandharva's son beats the bottle with music.

TILL recently, everyone knew Mukul Shivputra, son of legendary singer Pandit Kumar Gandharva, as an alcoholic leading the life of a vagabond. But he is now a changed man.

Last Sunday, Mukul gave a rivetting solo recital before a 200- strong audience in Madhya Pradesh's Harda district.

He took to the stage to thunderous applause after reportedly overcoming depression and alcoholism.

The evening started with a spellbinding rendition of Raag Thumri by Mukul. And for another four hours, the performance was immersed in a Khayaal mood.

" People in Harda district were talking many things about Mukul ji . But we had complete faith that he will revert to his old self, and embrace singing again.

Since August this year, Mukul ji has been spending most of his time on the banks of Narmada in Nemavar ( Dhar district).

He has been practicing Dhrupad, Dhamar and other forms of classical music. His next performance is scheduled for November 25 at Palampur in Himachal Pradesh," Sudeep Mishra, who along with his elder brother arranged Mukul's performance at his residence, said.

In May this year, Mukul hit headlines after he was ' rescued' by the Madhya Pradesh government from the Hoshangabad Railway Reservation Centre, where he was found drunk.

Before that, a local television channel had claimed that Mukul was found begging near a temple in Bhopal for money to buy liquor.

By the time government officials reached the spot, the 53- year- old singer had disappeared. Mukul had been living the life of a vagabond ever since he ran away from home at the age of 17.

After he was rescued, Mukul was admitted to Bhopal's Gandhi Bhawan, a drug rehabilitation centre. But late on July 29, after just 23 days at the centre, Mukul jumped the boundary wall and fled once again, before he was brought back.

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Publication:	Mail Today (New Delhi, India)
Date:	Nov 29, 2009
Words:	319
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