Important events, awards and honours

• 1898
  • Born on 20th January at 6 pm, Goraj Muhurta, at Alandi near Pune.
• 1911
  • Played the role of Vithoba as a child singer in the famous play Sant Sakhubai by the Sangeet Natak Mandali, a pioneering theatre company in Pune, on Sawai Gandharva’s recommendation. In Raja Harishchandra, he plays the role of Saint Rohidas and Narada in Saubhadra. After working in theatre for a total of four years, he left the theatre company to learn classical singing.
  • Bhaskarbuwa forms Kirloskar Bharat Gayan Samaj (which was later renamed as Pune Bharat Gayan Samaj) to promote Hindustani classical music. Master Krishna had the fortune of becoming the first student of this institution. Later he was appointed as the president for prolonged period. Also, he had written the Raagsangraha in seven volumes and prepared government recognized music curriculum for this institution. Served as the guide and performed in this institution till his demise.
• 1911
  • Classical music education began with Gayanacharya Pt. Bhaskarbuwa Bakhale.
  • At the age of thirteen, he gave his first public concert at the Cummins Club in Dhule and was honoured with a gold medal at the Kirloskar Theatre in Pune by the literary stalwart N.C.Kelkar and received the title of Master Krishna.
• 1915
  • Induction into the Gandharva Natak Mandali.
• 1922
  • Bakhlebuwa passes away. Master Krishna ably carries forward his legacy, singing every year at all the prestigious music festivals, like Harivallabh music festival in Jalandhar, during Ganesh festival at Brahmin Sabha in Mumbai and many others. He also headed the music department of the Gandharva Natak Mandali.
• 1925
  • Performed at the Holi festival in Shikarpur, Sindh province. Here he met Seth Laxmichand Narang (aka Lalaji), a prominent businessman and connoisseur of music who came to listen his mehfil. Lalaji then invited Master Krishna to perform at his residence in Karachi and made a recording. This proved to be a long and fruitful association, with Master Krishna introducing many of his fellow-artists like Balgandharva, Tarabai Shirodkar to Lalaji; many of them were invited to sing in Karachi too.
• 1930
  • Conferred the Sangeet Kalanidhi title by Srimad Shankaracharya Dr. Kurtakoti, at Nashik.
• 1933
  • Participated in the Maharashtra Sangeet Parishad held at Solapur from 19-21 August and appointed to the panel of musicians constituted on the occasion.
• 1934
  • Gandharva Natak Mandali closes down. Joined Prabhat Film Company in Pune as music director for the film Dharmatma.
• 1936
  • A recording of Vande Mataram composed and sung by Master Krishna was played at the Berlin Olympics as the national anthem of pre-independence India.
• 1937
  • Vande Mataram Day was celebrated for the first time on October 26 at the Tilak Smarak Mandir in Pune. Master Krishna sang the version that he had composed in raag Jhinjhoti, in the presence of Veer Savarkar, Senapati Bapat, L. B. Bhopatkar, G.V. Ketkar and a huge throng of listeners. Bhopatkar felicitated Master for setting the song to a melodious and easy-to-sing tune. And Veer Savarkar praised him for this work.
• 1941
  • Sarojini Naidu felicitates Master Krishna in July, after a recital at St. Xavier's College Hall, Mumbai, calling him the Leader of Singers.
• 1942
  • Master Krishna chosen to sing Vande Mataram at the Congress's historic Quit India movement held at the Gowalia Tank in Mumbai on August 8.
  • 'Sangeet Kulvadhu' released. Master Krishna directs music for the entire play within a week's time. Taking into consideration the change in the music trend, he gives Bhavgeet touch to all the tunes based on the foundation of classical music.
• 1944
  • Master acts, sings and gives music to Rajkamal Kalamandir's first Marathi film Bhakticha Mala (Hindi version Maali), playing the lead role as Sant Savata Mali.
• 1947
  • In 1947, after independence, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel requests Master to withdraw his earlier boycott of radio (for disallowing the singing of Vande Mataram under British rule). Master sings Vande Mataram at Akashvani Kendra in Mumbai on Gudi Padwa day.
• 1947 to 1950
  • Master presents recordings of the song in Parliament, urging leaders to make Vande Mataram the national anthem of independent India. As a result of these efforts, in 1950, it is declared the national song of India and accorded the same honour and status as the national anthem.
• 1953
  • Master Krishna selected by the Government of India as a leader of the cultural delegation to China. Every cultural program presented by these artists began with the singing of Vande Mataram composed by Master.
• 1956
  • At the request of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, Buddha Vandana was set to tune for the first time in India, by Master Krishna.
• 1958
  • Master turns 60. Celebrations over nine days in Pune, in which 70 artists from all over India participate in his honour.
• 1965
  • Awarded the first ever Bal Gandharva Gold Medal.
• 1966
  • Honoured by Film Forum at Prabhat Film Festival for his immense contribution to the Indian film industry.
• 1969
  • Awarded Natyacharya Vishnudas Bhave gold medal at Sangli on 5th November.
• 1971
  • Government of India awards him the Padma Bhushan, presented by President V.V.Giri at Delhi on 26th January.
• 1972
  • Awarded Fellowship (Golden Membership) by Sangeet Natak Akademi.
• 1974
  • Passes away at his residence on 20th October, Lalita Panchami day.
• 1975
  • Statue of Master Krishna installed at the premises of Balgandharva Rangmandir in Pune. The statue was unveiled by Ganhira Hirabai Badodekar. Hirabai and P. L. Deshpande spoke in his honour.
• 1983
  • Statue erected in the newly built theatre at Jalna in Marathwada; the building is named 'Master Krishnarao Phulmbrikar Natyagriha'.