Musical feast in store as family plans noted singer Manik Varma’s birth centenary celebrations

Pune: Noted singer late Manik Varma 's songs and classical renditions will come alive over the next year as her family has planned a series of events to mark her birth centenary year. Varma, who was conferred the Padma Shri in 1974, captivated audiences with her classical renditions, bhaavgeet, bhaktigeet. A well-known name in Kirana Gharana, Varma took her first lessons in music at Bharatiya Gayan Samaj in Pune.

She was at ease with classical as well as semi-classical and light music, making her a unique singer. Songs such as ‘Amrutahuni Goad' and ‘Kaushalyecha Raam' and ‘Savalach Rang Tujha' sung in her mellifluous voice are still played. Jaipur Gharana doyen Kishori Amonkar, in an earlier interview, referred to Manik Varma as her "guru", saying "We learnt about swar and knew them.



When I heard Manik Varma sing ‘Savalach Rang Tujha' for the first time, I realised that even words have sur." Her family has planned classical music shows across Maharashtra, through Manik Varma Foundation and in association with Mystic Melodies, a light music competition for young and new singers, award functions and a book release. The inaugural show titled 'Amrutahuni Goad' (Sweater Than Nectar) will be held on Gudi Padwa (March 30) in Pune.

Actor Sankarshan Karhade will anchor ‘Amrutahuni Goad', a musical event in Pune. Varma's disciple and classical singer Shaila Datar, well-known singer Madhura Datar along with Onkar Dadarkar, Shilpa Datar-Puntambekar and Savani Datar-Kulkarni will enthral the audience with a rendition of her classical, semi-classical and devotional songs. Her daughter and singer Rani Varma said they have grand plans to mark the birth centenary year and look forward to reliving their mother's legacy.

"We are starting the centenary year on Gudi Padwa on March 30 with a musical event where all of us will be present," she said. She said she plans to launch a YouTube channel in May this year in which she will periodically upload the private collection of Manik Varma's live concerts. "I have a collection of recordings of her live concerts that are a treasure trove of classical music.

I plan to upload this on YouTube channel to make it available to the younger generation of musicians and singers," she told TOI. Another idea they have is to hold competitions for young singers to present Varma's songs and then give away awards. Her daughter and renowned actress Vandana Gupte told TOI that the idea is to make it a "musical year" in the memory of her mother.

Gupte said a series of events to bring alive her mother's musical legacy will be held across Maharashtra. "My mother's songs are sung even today, and even upcoming classical singers start by training with my mother's songs. We plan to hold a competition for new singers not just here but across the globe.

" Later in the year, a book titled ‘Manik Moti - Manik and Family' will be released by Rajhans publications. The book will share a glimpse of Manik Varma's life and family, including achievements of her daughters Vandana Gupte, Rani Varma, Bharati Achrekar and Aruna Jaiprakash. Stay updated with the latest city news , Air Quality Index (AQI), and weather updates for major cities like Delhi , Mumbai , Noida , and Bangalore on Times of India .

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