Popular ghazal and playback singer Manjari will perform in Doha today

By Umer Nangiana

Qbiz events, known for crafting occasions across Qatar, is set to add another feather to their cap this weekend, with Khayal-e-Ghazal.
The event featuring popular ghazal and playback singer Manjari from India promises to be a soulful night of ghazals to remember for enthusiasts in Qatar.
“Doha is at its core is a cultural city and events like these draw patrons of fine arts in numbers. Last year’s edition had been well received by audiences and demand here was high for a ghazal concert featuring Manjari,” Zainudheen Vannery, Chief Patron, Thirumuttam Qatar chapter, told members of media here on Thursday, adding that the reception for a ghazal concert was “unprecedented”.
Officially announced earlier in October, tickets to the event were sold like hot cake in various locations in Doha and through their online ticketing partner Ticketfun and community partner QatarLiving, said the organisers.
A Hindustani vocalist, playback singer and live performer, Manjari is renowned for her various hit Indian film songs. She has performed ghazal concerts at different venues in India and abroad as well as on the popular TV show, Khayal.
“Khayal, the TV show, is a concept where we also explain the meaning of the otherwise complex ghazal poetry so that audiences can relate to it and better understand ghazals in order to fully enjoy them,” Manjari told Community at a chat before the concert.
She will be singing a number of ghazals from famous sub-continent Urdu poet Daagh Delhvi, a contemporary of Mirza Ghalib, besides other famous poets from India and Pakistan.
Manjari is a popular playback singer and live performer. She has set up her own band for ghazal concerts and performed at various venues in India and abroad. Manjari continues to pursue her studies in Hindustani classical music under the tutelage of Pandit Ramesh Jule of Kirana Gharana.
Manjari was born in India on April 17, 1986 but spent her childhood in Muscat, Oman where her parents were pursuing their careers. Born with no musical lineage, Manjari’s inspiration to learn music was mainly drawn from her parents, especially her mother who was a keen music enthusiast since her childhood.
The spark in this artist was realised at a very early age by her mother. When the legend, Dr KJ Yesudas visited Muscat, he happened to hear her sing. Dr Yesudas advised her parents to train the child in classical music.
Manjari was introduced to Carnatic classical music at the early age of five under the tutelage of Dr Shyamala Vinod Kumar. Manjari had the unique opportunity of learning from the legend himself during his visits to Muscat.
Manjari was an eager learner right from her childhood. A keen participant in music competitions held in various venues in Muscat including Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir where she studied, she won many accolades in inter-school competitions every year.
She won the ‘Kalathilakam’ title twice, in 1996 and 1997. It was during one of these competitions that Ram Kishan, a music teacher in Muscat, offered to teach light music to Manjari, who pursued it with equal devotion. For her dedication, she was gifted a harmonium by her teacher.
Manjari’s first break came at the age of 13, when Dr KJ Yesudas, whom she considers as her mentor, invited her for recording her first album in India. Manjari recorded two songs, a solo and a duet with the legend himself.
When Manjari’s Guruji (teacher), Ram Kishan, left Muscat, she was placed under the tutelage of the late Ustad Khalid Anwar Jaan, a Pakistani musician settled there. Jaan belonged to the famous ‘Kirana’ Gharana and introduced Manjari to Hindustani classical music.
Manjari seriously pursued this form of music under the able guidance of her new Guruji. Within a short span of three years, Manjari performed her first Hindustani classical concert in Muscat. Manjari was also introduced to the world of ghazals by her Guruji. The media in Oman hailed her as the ‘Nightingale of Oman’.
Since 2004, Manjari has performed Hindustani classical concerts in India and the world over under the prestigious banner of “Soorya”. In 2014, she performed at the prestigious Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh in Varanasi.
Her performance will be followed by instrumentals by talented players from Kerala and North India. Khayal-e-Ghazal will be held at Regency Hall, Doha today at 7:30pm.