Pandit Maniram

Pandit Maniram (1920–1990) was a Hindustani Classical vocalist of the Mewati Gharana. Maniram was the eldest son and disciple of Pandit Motiram and the guru and elder brother of Pandit Jasraj.^[1]

Early life and training

Born in Haryana to an orthodox Brahmin family with strong musical traditions in the Mewati Gharana, Maniram was introduced to music and trained by his father, Pandit Motiram. Maniram learned from both his father and uncle, Pandit Jyotiram until age fourteen, when Pandit Maniram died in 1939. Following the death of his father, Maniram became the patriarch of the family and moved them to Hyderabad. Maniram began performing professionally at this point in order to support his family.

Early career

In Hyderabad, Pandit Maniram's music was recognized as unique because the Mewati gayaki was rare in south and central India. Pandit Maniram was keen on maintaining the purity of the Mewati tradition, marking him and his music as unique.

Training brothers

While Maniram's career grew, he began teaching his younger brother, Pandit Pratap Narayan, in vocal music. Maniram was recognized as a strict disciplinarian and a temperamental musician. Maniram also began teaching Tabla to his youngest brother, Pandit Jasraj who soon became a successful Tabla accompanist.

Performing career

Pandit Maniram moved the family to Mumbai in the late 1940s, which was becoming a stronghold for classical musicians. Maniram's entrance into Mumbai was met with much opposition, especially from Agra Gharana musicians, whom he had many tensions with over several decades.

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