Manjusha Patil | Prashant Pandav | Abhinay Ravande
Born in Sangli (a small town in Maharashtra), known for its origin to several music maestros. Manjusha’s parents being great music lovers, identified the inborn talent and encouraged Manjusha for a career in music.
Along with a “Sangeet Visharad” from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Miraj . Manjusha acquired a Bachelors degree in Hindi followed by a Masters degree in Music with a GoldMedal to her credit from Shivaji University, Kolhapur.
She started her initial training from Pt. Chintubua Mhaiskar. She has been a consistent winner of many prestigious music competitions. During one such competition, Late Sangeet acharya Pt. D.V. Kanebuva of Ichalkaranji happened to see Manjusha singing and noticed her richpotential, which proved to be a turning point in her career. Then being in the Gurukul tradition under Pt. Kanebuva, she was fortunate to absorb the authentic nuances of Agra and Gwalior Gharana.
She received further training from Late Pt. Narendra Kanekar, a senior disciple of Pt. Kanebuva. Then she started learning
from Vidushi Shubhada Paradkar followed by Dr. Vikas Kashalkar. Currently Manjusha is honing her advanced skills under the able guidance of Padmashree Gantapasvi Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar.
Manjusha is gifted with a mellifluous voice which she has further enhanced by mastering sustenance of swaras, aesthetic approach,creative thinking, perfection of sur & command on rhythmic aspects.With purity in exposition of Raga, complex patterns of ‘Taan’ renderedwith speed & clarity – Manjusha is equally adept in Semi Classical Music like Thumri, Dadra, Abhang and Natya Sangeet. All these elements constitute her delightful performances.
She has founded a non-profit organisation named Sangeet acharya Pt. DV Kanebuva Pratishthan in the year 2007. Over the past years, around125 programs have been organised under the Pratishthan banner.
Young artists as well as established , talented musicians haveperformed here. It strives to work even more in the field of HindustaniClassical Music. Sangeet acharya D V Kanebuva Pratishthan’s Gurukulin Sangli is another of the organistions sister concern. 35 students are currently training in the Gurukul which follows the unique tradition allegacy of nurturing and mentoring the students. Here, the students dedicatedly receive the knowledge in Guru’s close proximity. The noble path of Gurukul is paved on this foundation and intends to carry on this precious tradition further.
She is also a Guru at Chinmaya Vishwavidyapeeth’s Naadbindu Gurukula
A rich portfolio of National and International concerts and prestigious awards are a clear testimony of Manjusha’s successful footsteps in the world of Music. She is the recipient of many awards like Ustad BismillahKhan Yuwa Puraskar from Sangeet Natak Academy , Pt. Kumar Gandharva Rashtriya Purskar from Madhya Pradesh Govt. , Pt. Basavraj Rajguru Yuva Purskar from Karnataka Govt. Recently, she was awardedthe prestigious GAANSARASWATI PURASKAR for the Year 2020.She has a Top Grade for Classical Music of All India Radio.
Prashant Pandav was born into a family steeped in Indian classical music.
He took to learn basic lessons from his father shri Prabhakar Pandav.
Since the age of 9 years, Prashant has been under training for vocal and tabla vadan. Today he has SANGEET VISHARAD both in vocal and tabla to be proud of his classical base tabla education started at Pt. Pandurang Mukhade. Presently he is learning from World famous tabla player Pt.Yogesh Samsi.
Prashant offers clear, emphatic, forceful and melodious accompaniment with fitting tonal quality. Prashant has accompanied for classical vocal as well as sugam (light)music and Marathi Natysangeet.
Prashant have a special favour for KIRTAN.
He has accompanied tabla for many renowned artists like Vidushi Devaki Pandit, Pt. Raghunandan Panshikar, Vidushi Kalapini Komkali, Vidushi Manjusha Patil, Koushiki Chakravarti and many more.
He has a number of prestigious programmes and festivals to his credit like Sawai Gandharv Mahotsav, Pune, Hariwallabh mahotsav jaladhar, Smt. Anjanibai Malpekar smruti samaroh, Goa etc.
Abhinay Ravande comes from a family of musical background and kirtan tradition at Nanded. He received his initial training in Harmonium as well as vocal music from his own father Shri Laxmikant Ravande Ji for 5 years. Since 10 years he has been learning harmonium under the tutilage of Pandit Pramod Marathe Ji at Gandharva Mahavidyalay Pune in Gurukul Paddhati. He has completed his Visharad and Graduation in Harmonium. He is a recipient of many prestigious awards and scholarships.
To name a few, they are
- Blue Star Award from NCPA.
- D G Marathe Yuva Vadak Puraskar.
- Special Puraskar from Akashwani Delhi in Harmonium solo category.
- ICMA scholarship America.
- V D Paluskar Scholarship.
Further, he has accompanied many maestros like
- Padmavibhushan Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj Ji
- Pandit Sanjeev Abhyankar Ji
- Pandit Bhuvanesh Komkali Ji
- Vidushi Manjusha Patil Kulkarni J
- Vidushi Devaki Pandit Ji
- Pandit Arun Kashalkar Ji
- Pandita Kalpana Zokarkar Ji
- Pandit Shaunak Abhisheki Ji
- Pandit Jayteerth Mevundi Ji
- Pandit Ajoy Pohankar Ji and many more.
He has also performed Lehra sath with
- Pandit Anindo Chaterjee ji.
- Pandit Nayan Ghosh ji.
- Pandit Vijay Ghate ji.
He has performed Harmonium solo at prestigious platforms like
- Harmonium Habba Bangalore
- Sangeet Shankar Darbar Nanded
- Yuva Shastriya Mahotsav Pune ( organized by Gandharva Mahavidyalay and Madhukauns) etc.
He has also been a part of Idea Jalsa series. He has also performed in the famous Music festivals of India like
- 8 Prahar Mumbai .
- Pt Motiram Pt Maniram Sangeet Samaroh Hyderabad .
- Thiba Festival.
- Saptak festival Ahmedabad.
He has also played harmonium for a film named “Niruttara” , in which the Music direction was done by Niladri Kumar Ji. He has performed in television programs as well. To name, they are
- Accompanied Miss Ankita Joshi (disciple of Sangeet Martand Pandit Jasraj Ji) in Surmayi Diwali on Zee 24 tas.
- Accompanied Pt Ajay Pohankar Ji in Surmayi Diwali on Zee 24 tas.
- Accompanied Lehra Sath for Pakhawaj solo with Shri Pratap Awhad in Diwali Special program on IBN Lokmat.
- Played in the interview on IBN Lokmat etc.