‘Bhagvati sharde Swar de, Veena-pani tal laya de’. These lyrics express the devotion and dedication of the lyricist,towards Sarswati, goddess of music. The composer of this Bandish, Vishwanath Rao Ganpatrao Ringe, is one of the rare Gems of classical music world . Popularly known as “Tanarang” He has composed nearly all his ‘bandishs’ under this title. Guruji devoted whole of his life to music. He feels, ’Music is the essence of the life’

The most knowledgeable and learned man in the field of music Tanarang was a resident of Janki Nagar, Indore, in Madhya Pradesh. He has composed more than 2000 bandishs in north Indian classical music in   about 200 ragas, for which he has earned the entry of his name in the  Limka book of world Records . His name also find place in ‘Reference Asia ‘-volume two (1986; Biography International (volume 1990-91); Vishwa Sangeet ka Itihas ((1990 edition) and Madhya Pradesh ke Sangeetagya’.

Pt. Ringe was the disciple of late Pandit Krishanrao Shankar Pandit of Gwalior gharana. He started learning music from his childhood. He received rigorous and intensive training and full guidance as a performer ‘Khayal Gayakee’, in Gwalior Gharana style.

 Pt.Ringe was awarded ‘Sangeet Praveen’ and ‘Sangeet Bhaskar’ from Shankar Gandharv Mahavidyalaya, Gwalior . In 1939, he established ‘Bhartiya Sangeet Kala Mandir’ at Sagar, which was shifted to Indore in 1968.

The composer within him, came to life in 1948. Since then, the process of composing began, and was  going on up to 2005.He breathed his last  in December’ 2005.. More than 2000 compositions in about 200  ragas, have been composed in various ‘Talas’. Viz Ektal, Deepchandi, Tritala , Tijwada, Chanchar, Dadra, Keharva, Jhaptala, Ada-Choutal, Roopak etc. Pt.Ringe has himself composed a Raga ‘Hemashri’, which he has Rendered in All India Radio (AIR) Programme.

Tanarang ‘s compositions are a unique combination of ‘sur’, ‘laya’, and ‘Bhava’. All his Compositions are in Hindi and Brij languages. He has composed Compositions of various moods.’Chalo hato Tanrang mori na rok gali’ is the description of Lord Krishna and Radha. The selfish ends of people , prevailing in the present day society has been described in one of his compositions ‘Apani garaj jaanat sab, jaanat na auran ki’.

His compositions include Bada Khayal, chota Khayal, Chaturang , Tarana , Sadra, sragam, Tillana, Raga sagar, sur sagar. Sur sagar is an unique composition, in which the lyrics are sameas the notes. For instance, ‘Nishi ras rang mein pagi ri main;. In this Composition, the notes are ‘NiSa ReGa Ma PaGa Ma’.

Pt. Ringe has been appreciated for his work in this field , by Pandit Krishanrao Shankar Panit , Ramesh Nadkarni, L.K Pandit Laxman Bhatt Tailang and many others. He has been a prominent vocalist of AIR. His programmes have been broadcasted from various radio stations in India as well as from Lahore and Peshawar.

A few of his composition few of his compositions have been published in two books namely ‘Sangeetanjali’ and ‘Swaranjali’. Up his last time, he was working for the publication of ‘Raganjali’ and two books, namely ‘ShrutiBandishe’ and ‘Rangili Cheezen.’ 

“Rangili‘Simple living and high thinking’ was his style .In spite of being such a talented and incredible artist, Pt. Ringe does not try to boast of himself. At the age of 85, he was full of enthusiasm and was teaching   music as it is the best way to overcome the sorrows and difficulties of life.

Tanarang has produced a few artists. Among them, prominent are Krishna Toley (Jabalpur), PrakashRinge (Indore), and Pratibha Potdar(sagar). Writer of this article is also one of his disciples.