Pandit Mani Prasad (4 November 1932 - 13 January 2023) was an Indian classical vocalist from the Kirana gharana (singing style).
Early life and training
Mani Prasad was born into a family of musicians. His father, Sukhdev Prasad, had received music training from Abdul Karim Khan and Abdul Wahid Khan, the founders of the Kirana gharana.
Mani Prasad accompanied his father on all his tours and performances across the country from an early age. He moved from Wardha in Maharashtra to New Delhi in his youth along with his father. He was trained mostly by his father but was also guided by his grandfather Pandit Shakti Lal and by his uncles Pandit Shankar Lal and Pandit Gopal Prasad.
Musical career
Pandit Mani Prasad started his career early, being brought up in a musical family. He is ranked as a Top Grade 'A class' artist by the All India Radio and is a well recognised television artist with the Doordarshan.
He has not only created some new ragas but also composed many bandishes in existing ragas with the mudra Dhyan Rang Piya. The new ragas include Dhyan Kalyan, Dhyani Todi, Shivkauns and Bhoopeshwari.
Among his students are Maharaja Ranjitsinh Pratapsinh Gaekwad of Baroda, Savita Devi Maharaj (daughter of thumri singer Siddheshwari Devi), Rita Ganguly, Ramesh Jule, Ravi Jule, Pt. Vishwanath, Uma Garg, Surinder Kaur, and Chandan Dass.
In recent years, he served as the Guru at the Dr. Gangubai Hangal Gurukul in Hubli, Karnataka where he was invited by the Government of Karnataka.
Discography
Pt. Mani Prasad, A Concert Series by Swarashree Enterprises, CBS
Pt. Mani Prasad, MIDAS
Pt. Mani Prasad, Swaranjali
Dhyan Rang Piya, MIDAS
Love Bandish Bliss, Times Music
Honours and awards
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 2019
Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
Swarmani Award
Raseshwar Award given by Sur Singar Samsad of Mumbai
Baba Allaudin Khan Award
Srimati Gangubai Hangal Award
Ustad Faiyyaz Khan - Ustad Niaz Khan Memorial Award
Swar Sadhana Ratna
Sangeet Martand Samman
Sangeet Kala Ratna
Felicitation by Raagranjini
Gallery
Personal life
Pandit Mani Prasad passed away on 13 January 2023 in Mumbai. He is survived by his three children - Deepak Prasad, Lata Tandon, and Lalit Prasad, who are also involved in Indian classical music. His grandson, Rahul Babbar is an up and coming singer and takes forward his legacy.