 Krishnarao Pandit was born on 26 July 1893 in Gwalior, a town known for its musical tradition, in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, to a notable musician by name, Shankarrao Pandit.His early music training was under his father as well as the father-son duo of Nathu Khan and Nissar Hussain Khan and learnt Khyal, Tappa, Tarana and "Layakari" genres of vocal renditions.After his debut performance aged 11, he started his solo career at the age of 14 as one of the younger musicians of the Gwalior durbar.