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{{Short description|Indian singer (c. 1909–1914 – 1978)}}<br />
{{One source|date=December 2025}}<br />
{{Infobox person <br />
| name = Manoharbua Shirgaonkar <br />
| image = Manoharbua Shirgaonkar.jpg<br />
| birth_name = Ganesh Mukund Shirgaonkar <br />
| birth_date = c. 1909–1914<br />
| birth_place = Pissurlem, [[Sattari taluka]], [[Portuguese Goa]] <br />
| death_date = 5 August 1978<br />
| death_place = [[Dodamarg taluka]], [[Sawantwadi]], India<br />
| occupation = [[Bhajan]] singer, musician, theatre actor <br />
| known_for = Creating the "Manohari bhajan" style <br />
| spouse = Saraswati <br />
| children = 6 <br />
}}<br />
'''Manoharbua Mukund Shirgaonkar''' ({{circa}} 1909–1914 – 5 August 1978), also known as '''Bhajan Samrat''', was an Indian [[Bhajan]] singer and musician from [[Goa]]. Originally a theatre actor and instrumentalist, he is credited with developing a distinct style of devotional music known as "Manohari bhajan", which blends the [[Warkari]] tradition with [[Indian classical music|classical vocal music]].<br />
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==Early life==<br />
Shirgaonkar was born in [[Pissurlem]], [[Sattari taluka]], [[Portuguese Goa]]. While his exact birth date is unrecorded, it is estimated to be between 1909 and 1914. His birth name was Ganesh, and he was affectionately known by the nickname "Sukdo". He was later given the name "Manohar" by the vocalist [[Dinanath Mangeshkar]], who was impressed by his singing style.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999">{{cite wikisource |last1=Kelkar |first1=Anant |editor-first1=Tanaji |editor-last1=Halarnkar |editor-link1=Tanaji Halarnkar |others= |title=Konkani Vishwakosh |trans-title=Konkani Encyclopaedia |wslink=Page:Konkani Vishwakosh - Volume 4 Released.pdf/746 |type= |edition= |series= |pages=746 |volume=4 |year=1999 |publisher=[[Goa University]] |location=Goa |language=gom |wslanguage=gom }}</ref><br />
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He was born to Mukunda and Rukmini Shirgaonkar. His family's traditional occupation involved service at the Lairai temple in Shirgaon, where they played the [[Shehnai|shenai]] and accompanied dances on the [[mridangam]]. Shirgaonkar received [[Marathi language|Marathi]] education up to the fifth standard. At the age of 20, he married Saraswati. The couple had three sons, Narayan, Shashikant, and Gurudas, and three daughters, Vinabai, Vaijayanti, and Latika.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><br />
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==Career==<br />
===Music and theatre===<br />
Shirgaonkar was trained in music from a young age within his household. He was proficient in five instruments: the [[Shehnai|shenai]], surt, kansale, tasso, and [[dhol]]. He received formal training in the [[tabla]] from Bhivamama and studied classical music under Sakharam of Verem.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><br />
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Early in his career, Shirgaonkar was active in Marathi theatre. In 1935, he joined a drama company formed by residents of Shirgaon. He performed various roles in several plays, including:<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><br />
* ''Menaka''<br />
* ''Nandakumar'' (playing the role of [[Radha]])<br />
* ''Ugramangal'' (playing Padnavati)<br />
* ''Naradachi Nardi'' (playing [[Narada]])<br />
* ''Pranayi Kantak'' (playing Shantaram)<br />
* ''Pant's Daughter'' (playing both a Doctor and Prabhakar)<br />
* ''Sant Sakhu'' (playing Sakhu)<br />
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===Bhajan singing===<br />
Shirgaonkar's transition to devotional music began during his involvement with the play ''Sant Sakhu'', where he performed [[Abhang|abhangs]] (devotional poetry) dedicated to the deity [[Vithoba|Vitthal]]. He further developed his knowledge of the genre by observing scholars and [[Kirtan|kirtankars]] (musical storytellers) while accompanying them on the tabla and [[harmonium]].<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><br />
He developed a unique style of performance termed "Manohari bhajan." This style synthesized the traditional [[Warkari]] bhajan format with elements of classical concert music. He taught this method extensively throughout Goa. A compilation of his performances with his associates was released on cassette under the title ''Manohari Bhajane''.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><br />
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==Death== <br />
Shirgaonkar died on 5 August 1978 in [[Dodamarg taluka]], [[Sawantwadi]].<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><br />
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== Legacy ==<br />
In 1962, he was felicitated by Sakharambuva Barve at Vaygini village in [[Bicholim]]. He was honored by Shishir Kumar Banerjee at an All India [[Gandharva Mahavidyalaya]] Conference held in November. In 1973, he was felicitated in his native village of Shirgaon upon turning sixty.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /> Since 1980, the [[Kala Academy]] of Goa has organized an annual state-level Bhajan competition in August to commemorate his memory.<ref name="Vishwakosh1999" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Keepers of the Bhajan tradition |url=https://www.thegoan.net//keepers-of-the-bhajan-tradition/53750.html |access-date=2025-12-08 |website=The Goan EveryDay |language=en}}</ref><br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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{{Authority control}}<br />
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Shirgaonkar, Manoharbua}}<br />
[[Category:1978 deaths]]<br />
[[Category:People from Portuguese India]]<br />
[[Category:People from North Goa district]]<br />
[[Category:Singers from Goa]]</div>Veronaidw