Deenanath Mangeshkar

Deenanath Mangeshkar
Background information
Also known as	Pandit Deenanath Mangeshkar Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Dinanath Mangeshkar Dina
Born	(1900-12-29)29 December 1900 Mangeshi,Goa,Portuguese India
Died	24 April 1942(1942-04-24)(aged 41) Poona,Bombay Presidency,British India
Genres	Indian classical,Indian semi-classical,Natya Sangeet
Occupation(s)	Vocalist, Singer, Marathi film producer
Instrument	Vocals

Deenanath Mangeshkar(Marathi pronunciation:[d̪iːnanaːt̪ʰməŋɡeːʃkəɾ];29 December 1900 – 24 April 1942) was an Indian actor,Natya Sangeetmusician and,Hindustani classicalvocalist who was active inMarathi theatre.He is the father of well-known singersLata Mangeshkar,Asha Bhosle,Meena KhadikarandUsha Mangeshkaras well as composerHridaynath Mangeshkar.

Background

Deenanath Mangeshkar was born inMangeshi,Goa on 29 December 1900.His father, Ganesh Bhatt Bhikoba (Bhikambhatt) Navathe Hardikar (Abhisheki) was a marriedKarhade Brahminwho served aspriestat the famousMangeshi Templein Goa. His mother Yesubai Ranewas his father'smistressbelonging to theDevadasicommunityof Goa, which is now known asGomantak Maratha Samaj.In his teens, he adopted the surname "Mangeshkar," which means "of Mangesh." Mangesh is also the name of the deity worshipped in theMangeshi Temple.

As aDevadasi,Yesubai was a reputed musician.Deenanath's father's surname wasHardikar,whose family performed theAbhishekam(ritual bathing) of thelingamofShivaat Mangueshi Temple, thus they were known asAbhishekis.The father of theIndian vocalistJitendra Abhishekiwas Deenanath's paternal half-brother.

Career

Deenanath Mangeshkar started taking singing andIndian classical musiclessons from Shri Baba Mashelkar at the age of five. He was also to become a disciple at theGwalior gharana.He was fascinated by the variety and aggressive style ofRamkrishnabuwa Vazeand became Vaze'sgandabandh shagird(formally initiated disciple in Indian classical music). In his youth, he also travelled toBikanerand took formal training in classical music from Pundit Sukhdev Prasad, father of PunditMani Prasad,of theKirana Gharana.He joined the Kirloskar Sangeet Mandali and the Kirloskar Natak Mandali at the age of 11. Later, he left Kirloskar Mandali, and formed Balwant Mandali with his friendsChintaman Ganesh Kolhatkarand Krishnarao Kolhapure. This new group hadRam Ganesh Gadkari's blessing, but Gadkari died in January 1919 shortly after the group was formed.

Deenanath's good looks and melodious voice won him popularity in the Marathi theatre. So much so that the then giant of theMarathistage,Bal Gandharvapublicly declared that he would welcome the entry of Deenanath in his organisation "by throwing a carpet of rupee coins under his feet".He produced 3 films in 1935, one of them beingKrishnarjun Yuddha.It was made in both Hindi and Marathi, and a song in the film was sung by and filmed on Deenanath.

Mangeshkar had also studiedIndian astrology.Partly out of his interest in astrology and numerology, he believed that dramas with 5 letters, with anuswar (diacritical) on the third letter, were lucky for him. Examples: Ranadundubhi (रणदुंदुभी), Rajsanyas (राजसंन्यास), Deshkantak (देशकंटक). The dramas produced by Deenanath were extremely popular amongst the masses due to his masterly presentation of the songs composed by Vaze and their patriotic content.

Personal life

First marriage

Deenanath's first wife was Narmada (later renamed "Shrimati" by her husband). She was the daughter ofGujaratiSeth Haridas Ramdas Lad – a prosperous businessman of the town ofThalner(betweenDhuleandJalgaon(Khandesh),Maharashtra). Deenanath and Narmada were married in 1922. She was 19 at the time of their marriage and Deenanath was 21. They had a daughter named Latika, who died in her infancy. Deenanath's wife also died shortly thereafter.

Second marriage

Deenanath then married his first wife's sister, Shevanti. Some sources claim that Deenanath renamed his second wife "Shrimati" as well, however it is widely agreed that in reality, he renamed her "Sudhamati". Their wedding was solemnised at a quiet ceremony within the house in 1927. Shevanti's mother chose not to attend. The couple had five children:Lata,Meena,Asha,Usha,andHridaynath.

Their first child was named Hema. But Deenanath called her Lata in memory of his deceased infant daughter. The name stuck and it was by that name that his legendary eldest daughter,Lata Mangeshkar,was widely known.

Death

Mangeshkar on a 1993 stamp of India

Deenanath took to alcohol during the days of financial hardship in 1930s. After being ill for a few weeks, he died in Pune in April 1942. He was only 41 at the time of his death.

His family has erected aDeenanath Mangeshkar Hospitaland research centre in his name inPune.

Theatrical productions

Some of his theatrical productions, in which he sang and starred too, are

• Manapaman(मानापमान) (written by K.P. Khadilkar)
• Ranadundubhi(रणदुंदुभी) (written byVeer Vamanrao Joshi) Music composed by Vaze buwa
• Punyaprabhaav(पुण्यप्रभाव)(written byRam Ganesh Gadkari)
• Sanyasta Khadga(संन्यस्तखड्ग) (written byVeer Savarkar) Music composed by Vaze buwa
• Rajsanyaas(राजसंन्यास) (written byRam Ganesh Gadkari)
• Deshkantak(देशकंटक)
• Ram Rajya Viyog(रामराज्य वियोग)

See also

• Mangeshkar Family

External links

• Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital,PuneArchived12 March 2014 at theWayback Machine