About Us

A performance so captivating as to evoke nostalgic memories of a bygone era of the inimitable redoubtable musician Soorashri Kesarbai kerkar and to prompt spontaneous appreciative title "Future Kesarbai Kerkar" from a personage no less than Late Shri. P. L. Deshpande, a revered name in Music and Marathi literature, is the distinctive feature of Manjiri - a scion of the Jaipur Atrauli Gharana.

Born in a traditional music family, her father, Anand Asanare, was a well-known tabla artist. He was the guiding spirit behind her in the field of Music and he laid the foundation of confidence in her about the "Laya and Tala".

Manjiri has inherited the rich tradition of Jaipur Atrauli gharana from Pt. Kanetkar, doyen of the gharana. The effect of Pt. Kanetkar's long association with Ustad Bhurji Khansaheb is aptly reflected in the melodious singing of Manjiri.

Manjiri owes her gratitude to Pt. C. T. Mhaiskar of Sangli under whom she received her lessons in early days. What is significant about this young artist is that she blends in herself the qualities of not only a vocalist but also of a kathak dancer with numerous prizes in her collection.

Manjiri exhibits astonishing depth of understanding in Music. Her pliant, polished and seasoned voice with open Akaar, her easy and graceful glides, intertwining of Laya and Swara so fine as to make the two appear inseparable- a noteworthy feature so characteristic of Jaipur gharana - skillful negotiation and execution of Taans with a veteran's aplomb, a meticulous adherence to the Bandish and to the mood and emotions expounded in Ragas, all beautifully mingle together to make her performance slick, scintillating and spell binding. No wonder if all these have won for her adulatory reviews and ever growing audience. Her performances bear eloquent testimony to her grit and determination, assiduous Riaz, and exacting training by her illustrious Guru.

Discerning cognoscenti in music will not miss finer shades and aristocracy of traditions set by stalwarts like Kesarbai Kerkar, Master Krishnarao, and Pt. Gajananrao Joshi in Manjiri's renditions. Her Guru Pt. Kanetkar has inherited some rare and precious compositions from Prof. B.R.Deodhar, Shri Gulubhai Jasdanwala, and Baba Azizuddin Kansaheb (The grandson of Late Ustad Alladian Khansaheb) and has bequeathed them to Manjiri.

Manjiri has received wide acclaim for her performances at the 41st Sawai Gandharva Music Festival-Pune, Megh-Malhar Samaroha 1994 - Mumbai, Jaipur Samaroha 1995 - Bhopal, Tansen Samaroha 1998 - Gwalior, Kesarbai Kerkar Smriti Samaroha-Goa and at numerous other concerts.The enraptured audience at Kolkata literally gave her a standing ovation at the conclusion of her program organized by ITC Sangeet Sammelan in 1996 / 2004, a rare honour indeed. Sangeet Natak Academy, 2003 Hydrabad, Harwallab Music Festival 2003, Jalandhar, Shankarlal Festival - 2000 / 2004 Delhi, Dover lane Conference 2004 - Kolkotta.

Manjiri was also a scholar in her academic career and a rank holder in the University. Manjiri was the recipient of the prestigious Soorashri Kesarbai Kerkar scholarship instituted by N.C.P.A. and P.L.Deshpande foundation Mumbai, for the year 1994. She received a classical music scholarship for the year 1992 - 93, awarded by the Govt. of India. Manjiri also won the A.I.R. contest organized by All India Radio. She is a regular 'A' Grade artist of All India radio and has given many concert performances. She has won the Hirabai Badodekar Smruti "Gan-Hira" prize given by the S.N.D.T. University.