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 mehfils in Delhi, a notable one was held at the residence of H.E Dr. Hassan bin Ali Al Ni'mah, the Ambassador of Qatar to India during the period 1976-1989. Several people in Delhi have told me that he was a connoisseur of classical music and hosted several mehfils at his residence, honouring artists with warmth and generous hospitality. This is reflected in the introduction given by the announcer, with a few intervening words by Dr. Hassan himself. The mehfils at his home featured some of the finest classical musicians of India and each mehfil was attended by eminent artists, connoisseurs and the diplomatic cognoscenti in Delhi.
The following repertoire was presented at this mehfil, held in Delhi on 25 April 1984 at 4, Tees January Marg:
1. Welcome & Introduction of Artists: [ Ссылка ]
2. Raga Nat: [ Ссылка ]
3. Raga Sorath: [ Ссылка ]
4. Raga Kafi Kanhra: [ Ссылка ]
5. Raga Bihari: [ Ссылка ]
6. Raga Paraj: [ Ссылка ]
Here is a link to the complete playlist: [ Ссылка ]
The accompanying musicians for the mehfil are as follows:
Tabla: Ustad Faiyaz Khan
Sarangi: Ustad Sabri Khan
This recording is from the collection of Shri S. Kalidas, one of the most beloved disciples of Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur. It has been digitised by NaadSaagar Archives & Documentation Society for South Asian Music, a non-governmental organisation founded in 2009 by Shri Navin C. R. Khilnani and myself. We are grateful that Shri S. Kalidas and several other connoisseurs and musicians entrusted us with their collections and it is a source of joy to us that some of these recordings are now being shared with the wider community of rasikas.
Recording Courtesy: Shri S. Kalidas Collection, NaadSaagar Archives & Documentation Society for South Asian Music
