Winner of this year’s Pt. Kumar Gandharva Rashtriya Puraskar, vocalist Manjusha Patil talks about her training and the way forward

The slender and charming Manjusha Patil has an enviable musical pedigree having learnt from stalwarts such as Pt. Chintubua Mhaiskar, Narendra Kanekar, Vidushi Shubhada Paratkar and Pt. Vikas Kashalkar (Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar is her present guru), all of whom had imbibed the best from Gwalior, Agra and Jaipur Atrauli gayaki.

Very much a rising star, performing at the most prestigious festivals all over India, Manjusha recently won the Pt. Kumar Gandharva Rashtriya Puraskar for 2016 given by the Madhya Pradesh Government.

She has been following a rigorous training and riyaaz routine for the past two decades. “It’s always been an average of six hours of riyaaz everyday. I started learning music at age eight. For sometime I lived at my Guru’s (Pt. D.V. Kanebua) house for uninterrupted guidance, in the Gurukul way. After marriage and childbirth, it wasn’t easy to give so much time to my passion. But my Guru inspired me to never give up. He encouraged me to continue the training. So it is extremely important to have a Guru, who helps you face life’s many challenges.”

Though she has been trained in the traditional format, Manjusha has acquired contemporary sensibilities which are reflected in her performances. “Our generation has been forced to strike a balance between the old and the new. So we have learnt to present the essence of our sangeet and taalim in a shorter duration. The idea is to remain rooted and yet, appeal to a modern audience,” she explains.

Despite being a busy performer, Manjusha feels she still has a long way to go. She prefers to call herself a student. “I am fortunate to have a Guru like Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar; his approach is wholesome. He helps you understand every little aspect for you to become a well-rounded musician. I am taken up by the ease with which he renders rare ragas. For instance, it’s amazing to hear him sing Kafi Kanhra. It appears complex, but he simplifies it in his characteristic style.

Memorable concert

Talking about her most memorable concert, Manjusha recalls performing at Sawai Gandharva in front of Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. I was only 27, it was an unprecedented honour for me. Though I was initially given only 45 minutes to sing, after hearing me, the duration was increased. Panditji invited me again in 2003 for the 50th year of Sawai; again a huge honour.”

Manjusha is optimistic about classical music’s future. “It’s heartening to see so many youngsters in the audience today. This augurs well for the art. Nothing else can soothe the soul like Indian classical music. So it will always be an intrinsic part of our lives.”

With the blessings of her Gurus, she has opened a Gurukul-like ashram in her home town Sangli, in the name of Kane Buwa, where deserving students are given scholarship to learn music.

“The media should do its bit to promote classical music. InSync is an excellent channel devoted to classical music and dance. The Central and State governments do a fair bit, but they need more visibility. I personally try to reach out even to a non-classical music listening audience, as it’s important to expand the listener base to include the younger generation who is not familiar with our tradition. My husband gives me critical feedback on my concerts, which is important, as he has not learnt music and reacts like a lay listener. I want to perform in such a way that even the uninitiated can enjoy the music.”

Our generation has been forced to strike a balance between the old and the new. So we have learnt to present the essence of our sangeet and taalim in a shorter duration