Jitendra Abhisheki

Jitendra Abhisheki
Also known as	Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki
Born	India
Genre(s)	Classical, semi-classical, devotional, natya sangeet
Occupation(s)	Singer, Composer, Music Teacher
Instrument(s)	Vocalist
Years active	1929-1998

Jitendra Abhisheki (Marathi: जितेंद्र अभिषेकी) (September 21, 1929 - November 7, 1998), popularly and reverentially addressed as Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki, was a performer of classical, semi-classical, and devotional music in Maharashtra, India. He was also known for adapting the operatic style of musicals to Marathi theatre.

Jitendra Abhisheki learnt vocal music from Pandit Jagannathbua Purohit and Ustad Azmat Hussain Khan of Agra Gharana and Shri Gulubhai Jasdanwala of the Jaipur Gharana. He was endowed with a rich voice and has evolved a distinct style of singing Khayal. He is also well known for his rendering of Marathi Natyasangeet (songs from Marathi musical plays) and devotional songs.

Career

Pt. Abhisheki was born in a priestly family in Mangeshi, Goa. His family was traditionally attached to the Mangeshi Shrine of Lord Shiva in Goa. His father, Balwantrao aka Bikambhat, was the temple priest and a Kirtankar. Hence Pandit Abhisheki was proficient in both Sanskrit and Marathi. This later helped him immensely in his work in the field of Marathi Natya Sangeet (stage music). Balwantrao Abhisheki (nephew and disciple of the legendary Master Deenanath Mangeshkar) also taught his son the basic principles of Hindustani Shastriya Sangeet (classical music).

By the time he had reached adolescence Pandit Abhisheki, contrary to pursuing the family vocation of a Kirtankari, expressed his wish to travel to Pune in pursuit of a mentor in music. The decision to take up a career in music had therefore already been made, and this propelled the quest to learn from a guru who could instruct him adequately in his chosen vocation.

After a degree in Sanskrit literature, Pandit Abhisheki joined All India Radio (AIR) at Mumbai for a brief period. His stint with the radio not only put him in contact with several musicians, but also gave him the opportunity to exploit his own musical talents by composing several pieces for radio programmes etc.

It was at around this time that he started training under the renowned teacher Ustad Azmat Hussain Khan. What followed were scholarships by the Indian Government for advanced training in Hindustani classical music, as well as several compositions for Marathi theatre.

Pandit Abhisheki composed vocal as well as background scores for as many as twenty-five Marathi plays. In the late sixties, Pandit Abhisheki, after having received the coveted Homi Bhabha fellowship, taught at the music school run by the renowned sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar in the USA.

Passing Away

He passed away in 1998 and left behind many admirers, particularly in Goa and Maharashtra.

His legacy

Shaunak Abhisheki (Son)

Pandit Abhisheki imparted outstanding training in traditional music to many disciples, some of whom are now leading performers of Indian Classical Music, such as:

• Ajit Kadkade
• Asha Khadilkar
• Devaki Pandit
• Prabhakar Karekar
• Ramdas Kamat
• Shounak Abhisheki (son)
• Shubha Mudgal
• Pt. Vijay Koparkar

Discography

• Hymns from the Vedas and Upanishads, Vedic Chants (1996)

Awards & Recognitions

• Homi Bhabha Fellowship (1969)
• Natyadarpan Award (1978)
• Padma Shri (1988)
• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1989)
• Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar (1990)
• Gomantak Marathi Academy Award (1992)
• Balgandharva Puraskar (1995)
• Surashree Kesarbai Kerkar Award (1996)
• Master Deenanath Smriti Puraskar (1996)
• Lata Mangeshkar Puraskar (1996)
• Balgandharva Puraskar (Natyaparishad, (1997)
• Puraskar(Kailas Math Nasik, 1997)

External links

• Official Home page
• Songs by Jitendra Abhisheki-Free To Listen

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