Jitendra Abhisheki Biography 
Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki was an accomplished vocalist and composer from Mangeshi, Goa. He has also composed music and background scores for 25 Marathi plays. Abhisheki was introduced to Indian Classical music by his father Balwantrao, a disciple of Pt. Deenanath Mangeshkar. After receiving training from Pandit Jagannathbua Purohit and Ustad Azmat Hussain Khan of Agra Gharana, and Gulubhai Jasdanwala of Jaipur Gharana, he created a unique style of his own by blending both these styles of Hindustani music. He composes classical, semi-classical, and devotional music. Noted vocalist Shounak Abhisheki is his son.
He was born in Goa in 1929. His father was a half-brother and a disciple of Master Deenanath Mangeshkar, father of Mangeshkar sisters. Jitendra was initiated to music by his father and later he learnt Agra and Jaipur traditions of music too. Later he developed his own distinct style composing songs for Marathi Natyasangeet and devotional ones. He completed graduation in Sanskrit and then joined AIR as an artist. It was during this time when he got opportunity to meet many noted personalities of music though he worked for only a brief period. With a government scholarship he received advanced training in Hindustani classical music under Azmat Hussain Khan.
He composed music for 25 successful Marathi plays, which include 'Matsyagandha', 'Yayati ani Devayani', 'He Bandha Reshamache' and 'Katyar Kaljat Ghusali'. He also worked as a music teacher in sitarist Ravi Shankar’s music school in USA. Asha Khadilkar, Devaki Pandit, Shubha Mudgal, Ajit Kadkade and Mahesh Kale are among his noted disciples. He was honoured with Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1989 and Padma Shri in 1988.
Published: N/A
Updated: June 16, 2014
