Dr Manjiri Deo

🪔 About

Dr. Manjiri Deo is a renowned Kathak maestro, dancer, writer, composer, teacher, actress, and organizer, with a career spanning over 50 years. Born in Kolhapur, she began her Kathak education under Pt. Badrinath Kulkarni. After her marriage to Shreeram Deo in 1968, she moved to Thane, where she further honed her skills under legendary gurus such as Dr. Asha Joglekar, late Padmashree Nataraj Gopikrishna, Dr. Sitara Devi, Dr. Puru Dadheech, and Dr. Vibha Dadheech. She is a gandabandh shagird of Dr. Puru Dadheech in the Shastra tradition and is proficient in the Banaras, Jaipur, Raigad, and Lucknow gharanas. Dr. Deo received her doctoral degree from Gaandharva Mahavidyaalaya for her thesis titled “An analytical study of applied Kavitta Chanda in Kathak dance.” She has significantly contributed to Kathak literature by authoring books like 'Nritya Saurabh,' the first Marathi book with detailed Kathak explanations, which received a special award for Best Literature from the Government of Maharashtra. Her book 'Kathak Kaumudi' is also a reference for postgraduate Kathak students. She has also penned articles on dance for magazines such as Dnyanraj, Gondan, Nupoor, and Swar Setu. Dr. Manjiri Deo founded Shree Ganesh Nritya Kala Mandir, an institution in Thane where she has trained hundreds of students for over four decades, nurturing generations of dancers. She is also an examiner, paper setter, and moderator for various dance examinations, including those organized by Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and the Government of Maharashtra, and has served as a visiting professor at universities like Shivaji University Kolhapur and Amravati University. Awards & Honours: Silver Medal for performing Dhanavanti, Special Award for Best Literature, National Senior Fellowship (2023), SANGEET RATNA (2023).