Rajashekhar Mansur

Rajashekhar Mansur
Birth name Rajashekhar Mansur
Born September 7, 1942[1]
Origin Dharwad, India
Genres Khayal, Bhajans, Thumris
Occupation(s) Hindustani Classical Musician
Instruments Vocal
Years active 1975–present

Pt. Rajashekhar Mansur (born September 7, 1942) is a Hindustani Classical vocalist of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. He is the son and disciple of Hindustani vocalist Pt. Mallikarjun Mansur.

Though he started accompanying his father since age 20, he never practiced music full time, and was a professor of English at Karnataka University, in his native Dharwad. He was awarded the 2012 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest award for performing artists, conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Early life and education

Mansur was born to singer Mallikarjun Mansur, one of the leading singers of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana founded by Ustad Alladiya Khan.[2] At the age of 16, Rajashekar performed Rag Malkauns in his college gatherings and received tuition from his father. Within a couple of years, he won the gold medal in the Sangeet Visharad exam and went on to take first prize in the AIR Youth Music Competition.

He completed his M.A. in English Literature and an M.A. in Linguistics from the University of Wales on a British Council Scholarship.

Career

Mansur start accompanying his father on concert at age 20, though he never practiced signing as a full-time profession, until his retirement.[1] Mansur taught literature and linguistics for nearly 35 years and retired as a Professor and Chairman of the English Department, Karnatak University, Dharwad.He also taught English at P.G.Centre Gulbarga. At the same time, he continued to pursue music, giving vocal support to his father and also performing independently at various prestigious music festivals and on the radio.[3]

He is now Top Grade Vocalist in the AIR. He has performed extensively in many prestigious music festivals throughout the country. The Karnatak Government has recognised his contributions to music by awarding him the Rajyotsava Award (1997). He was nominated as the chairman of Karnatak Sangeet Nrutya Akademi (2005–2008). He is also the recipient of Karnatak Kalashri Gaurav Award (2009). His music has been preserved in the archives of Indira Gandhi Manav Sangrahalaya in Bhopal. In September 7, 2009, he released his music album, In The Footsteps and Beyond to coinciding with his 60th birthday.[1]

In 2012, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest award for performing artists, conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama.[4][5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Aching for Gouri...". The Hindu. Sep 4, 2003. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  2. ↑ Amarendra Dhaneshwar (November 26, 2010). "Rajshekhar Mansur: Rajshekhar, now well past 60, has never been a full-time musician". Time Out, Mumbai. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Making music, Mansur style". The Hindu. March 1, 2012. Retrieved May 28, 2013.
  4. ↑ "Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowships and Akademi Awards 2012". Press Information Bureau, Govt of India. Retrieved May 28, 2012.
  5. ↑ "SNA: List of Akademi Awardees". Sangeet Natak Akademi Official website.

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