Padmashree Manik Varma (Devanagari: माणिक वर्मा ) (1920 — November 10, 1996) is considered the doyen of Hindustani classical Music from the Kirana Gharana, most known for her song, Amrutahuni Goad. [1][2] She also excelled in semi-classical and light music like Thumri, Marathi Natya Sangeet, Bhavgeet and Bhakti geet (Devotional Music). She was a discple of Hirabai Barodekar, daughter of Abdul Karim Khan (1872-1937), the founder of the Kirana Gharana.[3][4]
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In April 1955, her songs became part of the Geet Ramayan, a presentation of songs on Ram, a weekly, year-long programme by All India Radio (AIR), Pune, along with artists like Lata Mangeshkar, Yogini Joglekar, Babanrao Navdikar and Sudhir Phadke. [5]
A number of renowned artists including Asha Khadilkar trained under her. She was legend of Marathi Sugam Sangeet (Light Music). Many new singers does Riyaz (song practice in early morning) of her sung songs at initial stage. Her voice was excellent and unique.
Her maiden name was Manik Dadarkar (Devanagari: माणिक दादरकर). Her daughters include, Rani Varma, Aruna Jaiprakash, Bharati Achrekar, an actor and Vandana Gupte, a Marathi stage, film and television actor. [2][6]
She received the prestigious Padma Shri award from the Government of India in 1974. [7], followed by the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama in 1986.[8]
In her memory Manik Varma Pratishthan was established in Mumbai, which also presents Manik Ratna Award and scholarships. It also organises function on the birth and death anniversary of Manik Verma. [9][10] On her ninth death anniversary on November 12, 2004, a musical programme Baharla Parijaat Daari was presented by Devgandharva Bakhlebua Trust at Tilak Smarak Mandir in Pune. [6][2]