08 Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur - Raga Bhairavi - 1 October 1986 - Naralkar Residence, Pune

Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur (31 December 1910 - 12 September 1992) hailed from Dharwad, Karnataka, and was an exponent of khayal gayaki, having been trained in the Gwalior and Atrauli gharana traditions. He learnt from Pandit Nilakanthbua Alurmath of Miraj, who had, in turn, received ta’lim from Pandit Balakrishnabua Ichalkaranjikar. Subsequently, Mansur ji became the gandabandh shagird of Ustad Badruddin ‘Manjhi’ Khan sahib, the son of Ustad Ghulam Ahmed 'Allahdiya' Khan sahib, one of the progenitors of the Atrauli gharana tradition. Following the untimely demise of Ustad Manjhi Khan sahib, Mansur ji subsequently learnt from Ustad Shamsuddin ‘Bhurji’ Khan sahib, the younger son of Ustad Allahdiya Khan sahib. Through his eclectic ta’lim and meticulous riyaz, Mansur ji was able to craft a gayaki which was instrumental in popularising the Atrauli gharana repertoire, along with several other representatives of the gharana tradition.
Among the numerous recitals that Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur gave in Pune, the mehfil at the residence of Shri Nanda Naralkar on 1 October 1986 stands out for several reasons. Regardless of the quality of the video recording in terms of contemporary tastes, it is incredible to be able to “see” an entire mehfil of Mansur ji in an intimate setting. For students of Indian classical music, this gives a rare insight into Mansur ji’s gestural movements, use of practically all parts of the mouth for voice production and projection, as well as the way in which he has interacted with his close friends present at the mehfil. The repertoire Mansur ji chose gives a deep insight into the best of the Atrauli gharana tradition, with the following ragas presented during the mehfil:
1. Raga Bhankar: • 01 Pandit Mallikarjun ...
2. Raga Gandhari: • 02 Pandit Mallikarjun ...
3. Raga Sarparda Bilawal: • 03 Pandit Mallikarjun ...
4. Raga Bilawali: • 04 Pandit Mallikarjun ...
5. Raga Khat: • 05 Pandit Mallikarjun ...
6. Raga Shuddha Sarang: • 06 Pandit Mallikarjun ...
7. Raga Jogiya Asawari: • 07 Pandit Mallikarjun ...
8. Raga Bhairavi: • 08 Pandit Mallikarjun ...
Here is a link to the complete playlist: • 01 Pandit Mallikarjun ...
Among those who were present at the mehfil are Mansur ji’s dear friend Shri Pu. La. Deshpande, Rasikagrani Dattopant Deshpande, Pandit S. G. Devasthali, Pandit Pramod Marathe, and several other admirers of Mansur ji from Pune and Mumbai. The impact of the mehfil was such that it is still remembered fondly by those who had been present, including Dr. Urmila Bhirdikar and Mrs. Anuradha Naralkar.
The accompanying musicians deserve special mention for the way in which they have elevated Mansur ji’s mood and created an opportunity for evermore improvisations, especially in taankari, which was an important cornerstone of his gayaki. Mansur ji’s interactions with Pandit Balkrishna Iyer and Vidushi (Smt.) Veena Sahasrabuddhe are noteworthy, and special attention needs to be paid to way in which the young Veena Tai is engaging, following, and absorbing Mansur ji’s gayaki, with rapt attention. The full credits are as follows:
Tabla: Pandit Balkrishna Iyer
Harmonium: Dr. Arawind Thatte
Tanpuras & Vocal Support: Vidushi (Smt.) Veena Sahasrabuddhe & Shri Suhas Datar
I believe it was Prof. Rajeev Patke who had digitised this important recording as a friend of the Naralkar family. In so doing, he has done us all connoisseurs, admirers, and fans of Mansur ji a huge favour and we are all indebted to him for his efforts.
Recording Courtesy: The Naralkar Family, Pune

[@classicalgem]

I am very lucky to have attended one of his vocal concerts same way at Nepean Sea Road Mumbai. (1970s)Nizamuddin Khansahab (my favourite) was on Tabla. It was a great performance by Mansur ji. In this concert Mansur ji sang more of Layakari N Tihaayis one of the speciality of the Agra Gharana. I introduced myself bieng the son of USTAD AZMAT HUSSAIN KHAN DILRANG In this personal meeting with Mansur ji before the concert. He was very humble soft n respectful with me. It made me immensely happy and surprised when he became literally full of tears and touch his ears while talking about my father Ustad Azmat Hussain Khansahab. He also did praise a lot about Ustad Allahdiya Khansahab and his sons Ustad Manji Khansahab and Ustad Bhurji Khansahab. While talking to me he said and asked " Gaana karte ho na beta? Yeh kabhi bhi chhodna mat". This meeting with this great Musician was like a great reward to me. My hearfelt Tributes to Pandit Malikarjun Mansur ji.

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Vajahat sahib, shukriya for sharing such a wonderful memory with Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur ji. As a staunch traditionalist and a gharana pallbearer, he was deeply respectful towards gharanedar Ustads and their progeny as well as disciples. It's heart-warming that he encouraged you to keep pursuing music, especially because you belong to the extended family of Ustad Alladiya Khan sahib and the other strands of the Atrauli khandan. Thank you for always sharing your wealth of experience and memories so generously with me and other rasikas and students of Indian classical music. Warm regards. 🙂

[@bnkirankumar9311]

What a memory call capasity hats up to you sir 👌🙏🙏🙏🙏👍👌💐💐

[@WarrenSenders]

One of my favorite things about Mansur's singing in mehfils is at the very end, when you hear him laughing. It is so clear that Buwa's music was saturated with such joy that it expressed itself in effervescent laughter.

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

What a beautiful observation! As I’ve been listening to numerous recordings of his during the process of writing his biography, I notice the laughter too - at times after a particular piece when he receives much praise and often at the end of his recitals like you’ve said. 😊

[@SundeepDougal]

Indeed, it is an infectious and joyous celebration always - in the last Delhi concert in 1992, after the Nat Behag, the accompanists are so moved that Faiyaz Khan reaches out to shake his hand while Mansur is laughing with childlike delight.

[@WarrenSenders]

@@IrfanZuberi1980 There is a long Darbari of his (w/a fast ektaal chiz at the end) in which he is just roaring with exuberant joy after coming to the final Sam.

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

@@SundeepDougal Oh yes, there are stories upon stories about his infectious laughter... and the way he could make those around him roll on the floor with laughter! Hahahaha... 😆

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

@@WarrenSenders Aha, kya baat hai! I wonder if that rendition is in the public domain... will look for it! He used to sing drut bandish-es usually only for the first raga of the mehfil, if at all, and Darbari isn't quite a raga I'd usually associate either with his demeanour, personality or gayaki for that matter.

[@hemantghayal7709]

Heart rending Bhairavi. After this one walks quietly to the exit gate. Alone.

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Well said! I fully agree. 😊🙏🏻

[@bhagwanrane9053]

Thanks for uploading this rare bhairavi by mansur ji Pl upload more if u have

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

@@bhagwanrane9053 Thanks for the appreciation. I will certainly upload many more of his recordings in the coming weeks. 😊

[@chidambardeshpande1716]

At the age 76 ,he is perfectly rending the voice . Very rare vibrations.

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Yes, in fact, Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur ji stayed tuneful till the very end… his last set of concerts in 1992 also see him merging with the Tanpuras, with perfect intonation of swaras & shrutis! 😊

[@madhavdhekney8653]

किती अप्रतिम भैरवी.ह्या बंदिशी ची रहिमत खा साहेबांची रेकॉर्ड शे.स्वर लय भाव आर्तता सगळ सगळ बुवांच्या पुढे गरीब गाय झाले आहेत.मनात उमलावे तर त्या आधीच गळा पुढे येतो.हे तो भगवंताचे देणे.

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

It’s interesting that you mention Ustad Rahmat Khan sahib, whom Ustad Alladiya Khan sahib is said to have held in high regard. Apparently, Ustad Manji Khan sahib, Mansur ji’s first guru in Jaipur-Atrauli tradition, used to go to Ustad Rahmat Khan sahib once in a while and used to refer to once in a while during ta’lim to Mansur ji. 😊

[@manjushrijoshi8850]

❤️

[@rajarshihalder466]

Bhairavi of the pandits and ustads no where to be found now 😢

[@jayshriswamisamarth]

अप्रतिम! यांची गायकी माझे आजोबा व वडिलांनाही अवडायची! ❤

[@RCPatil-ls9th]

My most favorite singer is Dr Pt MallikarjunMansur ji

[@swatithite08]

Very rare clip..thanks for sharing and recording done by naralkar family ...is great job 👏

[@Rohwit]

God’s work. Thanks a lot. Lot. Lot!

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Welcome! Glad you & other connoisseurs are enjoying this mehfil recording. 😊

[@pramodparanjpe6436]

Waah 👌🏻👏🏻👏🏻 The description was in detail, nice script!!

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Thank you! I worked hard on making sure to contextualise the mehfil recording nicely. Glad you read it carefully & liked it. 😊

[@chandrikamurli]

Thank you Irfan for this treasure!

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

It’s my pleasure entirely to have shared this gem of a concert recording with the wider community of rasika-s. 🙏🏻 It’s thanks to the Naralkar family in Pune that the recording was made and thanks to Prof. Rajiv Patke who was responsible for its digitisation. 😊

[@shilpapathak2296]

Read the book " Rasa Yatra" his autobiography. Very good.

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Yes, it's indeed very good insofar as it's in his own voice and we get to know him directly. But it's also extremely brief and glosses over entire periods of time. It's reflective of Mansur ji's personality in my humble assessment... he underplayed a lot of his efforts in terms of acquiring ta'lim and does not speak much about his own reflection in crafting this incredible gayaki we all enjoy so much! 🙂

[@classicalgem]

Very soulful.

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Bilkul Vajahat Hussain Khan sahib! Mansur ji's Bhairavi always used to be extremely soulful and heart-rending!

[@t.cavadzade1199]

Thank you very much

[@nagabhushanamaravanthe2452]

Pt Mansoor's childlike laugh is the highlight of the video😊

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Yes, the pure joy of singing… read the comment by Warren-ji below, along with the ensuing discussion about Mansur ji’s laughter. I’m finding it across several more of his mehfil recordings as well… will post them in the coming weeks! 😊

[@bhagwanpdsinha1142]

Hearttouching music ❤

[@SundeepDougal]

So glad that this and some other recordings are on KZbin now!

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Totally agree Sandeep! The challenge I’m facing while working on Mansur ji’s biography is to piece together full length mehfil recordings which are dated. Once I got this fantastic mehfil’s complete recording, I thought it’d be a good idea to begin by posting it. Thanks for all the work you’ve been doing, identifying sources of bandish-es and sharing them widely! 😊

[@SundeepDougal]

@@IrfanZuberi1980 Great beginning to share this and place it in the public domain. What a treat and treasure for all his fans. I was thrilled to find a bit about Mr RH Bengeri in Tejaswini Niranjana's "Musicophilia in Mumbai: Performing Subjects & the Metropolitan Unconscious" I am sure you are in touch with those like Shyam Benegal who did that documentary with Rajshekhar. All the best for your project and I hope you keep sharing more of such treasures and keep putting them in the public domain. It's truly a golden period for fans of HCM.

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

@@SundeepDougal Thanks for your kind words of appreciation. Indeed, Bengeri ji played the role of friend, patron and lifelong associate with much responsibility. In fact, Nandan Kudhyadi told me that it was Bengeri ji who shared practically all the music clips used in the film Rasayatra. 😊

[@SundeepDougal]

@@IrfanZuberi1980 That's wonderful, and it was so fortunate that Nandan Kudhyadi could get so much of Mansur's own participation while it was still possible. Is the Benegal docu shot in Mr Bangeri's house? Anyway, not to make you give away small fun trivia till the book gets done. Looking forward to it. Please try to add lyrics like the BGAK, Amir Khan, and Faiyaz Khan bios do, towards the end at least. It would be a great service to posterity.

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

@@SundeepDougal The Benegal film is the one which features Rajshekhar ji, right? I don't know where it was shot... Yes, it is my intention to add at least select bandishes in the book; let's see how many am able to source and include.

[@krishnashingare1440]

Thanks youtub all oldrecordyou benifit

[@nikhilpghag]

Divine. Absolutely divine. Is that Vidushi Veena Sahastrabuddhe with tanpura on side.

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Yes, that’s right. 😊

[@vaishali2277]

कमाल गायकी आहे

[@yogeshpvaidya]

Irfanbhai, dhanywad! Bandish ke bol bhi dijiyega.

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Thanks for the appreciation, Yogesh ji! 🙂 I do not have verified versions of the bandish-es and do not want to do guesswork... perhaps you should reach out to practitioners and artists for the bandish-es themselves.

[@swatid5741]

Thanks alot?!

[@shrikantbiwalkar1943]

Absolutely magneficnt

[@drpashalatif1523]

जमुना के पीर उस्ताद अब्दुल करीम खां की याद आ गई

[@drhrshah5978]

Pl give some details of Gharana and period of event. Now this type of Mehefils are dream....

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

@@drhrshah5978 Please read the detailed description for the relevant details.

[@girishabs5745]

Tanpura saath by Veenathayi🙏

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Not just Tanpura but also very engaged vocal support at some places... and, for me, she's the most ardent listener of this mehfil! 🙂

[@girishabs5745]

@@IrfanZuberi1980 Yes, one could make out!. It was another feast to observe her reactions which was in most mindful way. The eye movement and gestures are special knowing the fact that she started her cultural career as kathak dancer (later changed to singing).

[@abhijitdas9697]

💜💙💜🙏💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💙💜💙💜💙💜💙💜💜💙💜💜💜🍀💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💙💜

[@akshayindikar1622]

Would love to read your biography on HIm

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Thanks Akshay! I hope it would turn out to be a good one... working hard on it! 🙂

[@SundeepDougal]

The lyrics of this, for example! I mean, we at least can broadly make out that laal vaalaa joban bandish in the tappa, even if the Punjabi does not quite cohere, but what IS he singing here? The only word I have ever been able to understand is Saiyaan, much as I LOVE what he is singing. Please, we need to do something about this situation!

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

Sundeep, the best think for you would be to reach out to representatives of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana tradition - I would strongly suggest Vidushi Shruti Sadolikar ji as an authentic source for the bandish-es. All the best! 🙂

[@SundeepDougal]

@@IrfanZuberi1980 Yes, thanks, she is definitely on my list of those to contact and pester, but have been hesitating mainly because I wanted to do the due diligence of what should be publicly or commercially available. I am sure there would be books in Marathi and perhaps even Kannada with the bandishes he sang, but I have not been able to locate anything in Devnagri or Roman.

[@rajivtillu]

Part 2 (drut) i could find as below मत जा मत जा मत जा जोगी पाँव पडूंगी मैं तोरी प्रेम भक्ती को पंथ ही न्यारो हमको ग्यान बता जा जोगी अगर चंदन की चिता रचाये अपने हाथ जला जा जोगी जल जल भइ भस्म की ढेरी अपने अंग लगा जा जोगी मीरा के प्रभू गिरीधर नागर ज्योत में ज्योत मिला जा जोगी विलंबित also should be available somewhere. Will update if i get.

[@SundeepDougal]

This has never been a problem as it is easily comprehensible and widely known in different cover versions. I asked about the vilambit and will be grateful for any help with that, of course.

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

@@rajivtillu Thanks a lot for writing the complete bandish for the rasikas to enjoy as they listen to this recording! 🙂

[@ravindrakeskar6162]

Pu. La. Deshpande sitting in front !

[@IrfanZuberi1980]

That’s right! This was a mehfil for the ages… the who’s who of the classical music circle in Pune were present. Read the detailed description I’ve written below the recording to know who else were present. 😊