Manjiri Shreeram Deo

🪔 About

Dr. Manjiri Shreeram Deo is a distinguished Kathak maestro, dancer, teacher, and author, recognized for her significant contributions to Indian classical dance for over 50 years. Born in Kolhapur, she began her extensive Kathak training under Pt. Badrinath Kulkarni. After her marriage to Shreeram Deo in 1968, she moved to Thane, where she further honed her skills under the tutelage of legendary gurus Dr. Asha Joglekar and the late Padmashree Nataraj Gopikrishna. Her training also includes guidance from Dr. Sitara Devi, Dr. Puru Dadheech, and Dr. Vibha Dadheech. A gandabandh shagird of Dr. Puru Dadheech in the Shastra tradition, Dr. Deo is proficient in the Banaras, Jaipur, Raigad, and Lucknow gharanas of Kathak. Beyond her performing career, Dr. Manjiri Shreeram Deo is a prolific author, having penned several books on Kathak, including 'कथ्थक कौमुदी' (Kathak Kaumudi), a Marathi reference for postgraduate students, 'Nritya Saurabh', recognized as the first Marathi book to offer a detailed explanation of Kathak, and 'Olakh Kattakchi', an introductory guide. She has also authored 'Introduction to Kathak- The Indian Classical Dance' and 'An Insight into Kathak'. She founded the Shree Ganesh Nritya Kala Mandir in Thane, where she has been training hundreds of students for over 40 years, significantly contributing to Kathak dance pedagogy. Her choreographies include works like Aamrapali, Gayatri mantra, Geet Ramayan, Suryastuti, and Durgastuti. She is also an examiner, paper setter, and moderator for dance examinations at various levels, including those organized by Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. Awards & Honours: Special Award for Best Literature, Silver Medal (Marathi Drama 'Beimaan'), National Senior Fellowship (2023), SANGEET RATNA (2023).