Pandit Manohar Chimote

Pandit Manohar Chimote was a maestro player of harmonium and Samvadini. He laid the foundation of the solo harmonium- Samvadini playing in the field of Indian Classical Music. Pandit Manohar Chimote was born on March 27, 1929, in a mine owner’s family in Nagpur, Maharashtra, India. He was born into a wealthy family with all comforts and luxuries of that time. Young Manohar Chimote lived in a haveli, served by servants, and also enjoyed horse buggy rides. His father, late Shri Vasudeo Ji was a religious follower. As a result, the Manohar Chimote residence was enlightened with religious gatherings of bhajans and kirtans. Shedding less interest in all his life’s luxuries, young Manohar Chimote drew all his attention toward musical, religious discourses.

From childhood, playing harmonium became his passion, and he used to do riyaz all day and took some visits to vocal artists in Nagpur. His destiny took him to meet Pandit Bhismadev Vedi in 1946. Under his guidance and supervision, Pandit Manohar Chimote learned some basics of harmonium, its techniques, and paltas. He considers meeting and learning from Vediji as his most excellent earning in life. In 1950, Vediji asked Manohar Chimote to meet the great vocalist Gunigandharva Pandit Laxmanprasad Jaipurwale of Kunwarshyam Gharana. This was his second most crucial phase in sangeet sadhna. He learned the nuances of gayaki and the rich repertoire of bandishes of the Kunwarshyam Gharana from Pandit Ji. He also accompanied Pandit Laxmanprasad Ji on harmonium during vocal recitals.

At that time, Manohar Chimote was living a life full of hardships with no money, no contacts, and no shelter in Mumbai. But, he happily continued with his musical journey uninterruptedly. Pandit Manohar Chimote has imparted Samvadini and vocal music teachings to many students in his academy named Samvadini Sangeetalay at Gurgaon, East Mumbai. The academy witnessed Pandit Manohar Chimote Ji as a teacher, a performer, and a thinker. In his long six-decade music career, Pandit Manohar Chimote has innovated numerous compositions and raags. Also, he has groomed some dedicated and talented disciples. Among his active performing disciples are Sharang Sathe, Milind Joshi Bio coming soon... >> Read More... , Bhanu Joshi, and Sanjay Bhagwat.

Also, among his vocal music disciples are Smt. Vaishali Samant A versatile Indian Playback Singer, who made sensa >> Read More... , Smt. Madhuri Karmakar, Chintamani Soni, and Smt. Maya Motegaonkar. In 1998, Pandit Manohar Chimote Ji was felicitated with Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar by the government of Maharashtra. He was honored with Music Forum-NCPA Senior Musicians’ Award in 2005. Also, he was presented with Samvadini Sadhak Puraskar in April 2006. At the age of 84, veteran harmonium and Samvadini player Pandit Manohar Chimote Ji left us on September 9, 2012, at his Virar residence, leaving behind his legacy in Hindustani Classical Music.