Mani Prasad

Mani Prasad
Mani Prasad
Birth name Mani Prasad
Born (1930-11-04) 4 November 1930
Origin Wardha, Maharashtra, India
Genres Indian classical music
Years active 1940 - present

Pandit Mani Prasad is an Indian classical vocalist from the Kirana gharana (singing style). He is known for his popular renditions of devotional music (bhajans and abhangs).

Early life and training

Mani's father Sukhdev Prasad

Mani was born into a family of musicians. His father, Sukhdev Prasad, had received music training from Abdul Karim Khan and Abdul Wahid Khan, the founders of the Kirana gharana.

Mani accompanied his father on all his tours and performances across the country from an early age. He moved from Wardha in Maharashtra to New Delhi in his youth along with his father. He was trained mostly by his father but was also guided by his grandfather Shakti Lal and by his uncles Shankar Lal and Gopal Prasad.

Musical career

Mani Prasad performing

Mani started his career early, being brought up in a musical family. He is ranked as a Top Grade 'A class' artist by the All India Radio and is a well recognised television artist with the Doordarshan.

He has not only created some new ragas but also composed many bandishes in existing ragas with the mudra Dhyan Rang Piya.[1] The new ragas include Dhyan Kalyan, Dhyani Todi, Vihanginee, Shivkauns and Bhoopeshwari.

Among his students are Maharaja Ranjitsinh Pratapsinh Gaekwad of Baroda, Savita Devi Maharaj (daughter of thumri singer Siddheshwari Devi), Surinder Kaur, and Chandan Dass.

In recent years, he has been teaching at the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa Academy of Music in Mumbai instituted by Gajendra Singh.

He also took up a teaching position at the Smt. Gangubai Hangal Gurukul in Hubli, Karnataka where he was invited by the Government of Karnataka.

Discography

  • Pt. Mani Prasad, A Concert Series by Swarashree Enterprises, CBS
  • Pt. Mani Prasad, MIDAS
  • Pt. Mani Prasad, Swaranjali
  • Dhyan Rang Piya, MIDAS
  • Love Bandish Bliss, Times Music

Honours and awards

Personal life

Mani now lives in New Delhi and has three children, Deepak Prasad, Lata Tandon and Lalit Prasad, who are also involved in Indian classical music.

References

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