Manik Varma

Manik Varma
Born 16 May 1926
Died 10 November 1996 (aged 70)
Occupation Singer

Manik Varma (hindi: माणिक वर्मा ) (May 16, 1926 – 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 disciple of Hirabai Barodekar, daughter of Abdul Karim Khan and Sureshbabu Mane son of Abdul Karim Khan (1872–1937), the founder of the Kirana Gharana .[3][4]

Career

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, Usha Atre, Babanrao Navdikar and Sudhir Phadke.[5]

A number of renowned artists including Asha Khadilkar, Shaila Datar were trained under her. She was legend of Marathi Sugam Sangeet (Light Music). Many new singers perform Riyaz (song practice in early morning) of her songs at initial stage of their training.

Personal life

Her maiden name was Manik Dadarkar (Devanagari: माणिक दादरकर). Her daughters include, Rani Varma who is also a well-known singer in her own right, Aruna Jaiprakash, Bharati Achrekar, an actor and Vandana Gupte, a Marathi stage, film and television actor.[2][6]

Awards

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]

Legacy

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.[2][6]

References

  1. ↑ "Torch-bearers of kirana gharana, and their followers". Times of India. Jan 26, 2011.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "A tribute to legendary singer Manik Varma". Indian Express. November 10, 2005.
  3. ↑ Manuel, Peter (1989). Thumri in Historical and Stylistic Perspectives. Motilal Banarsidass Publ. p. 86. ISBN 81-208-0673-5.
  4. ↑ Deshpande, Vaman Hari (1989). Between two tanpuras. Popular Prakashan. p. 151. ISBN 0-86132-226-6.
  5. ↑ "Yesterday once more as Geet Ramayan turns 50". Indian Express. January 25, 2005.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Remembering Manik Varma". Indian Express. November 15, 2005.
  7. ↑ "Padma Awards Directory (1954-2009)". Ministry of Home Affairs.
  8. ↑ "SNA: List of Akademi Awardees". Sangeet Natak Akademi Official website.
  9. ↑ "Stars shine down". Indian Express. November 7, 1998.
  10. ↑ "Melodies for your soul: Music". Indian Express. November 6, 2003.

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