New Delhi: Mumbai-based Hindustani Vocalist, Manjari, a South Indian Playback Singer and a Live Performer of Ghazals has been awarded the prestigious Sahir and Adeeb Award at the 44th Annual Jashn-e-Sahir Festival in Ludhiana.

Every year, Adeeb International confers the Sahir and Adeeb Awards to eminent personalities from the field of literature, arts and culture from across the globe on this occasion.

This year the awards were presented to P A L Chairman Qasim Bughio (Pakistan), Dr. Farhat Shahzad (USA), PILAC Director Dr. Sughra Sadaf (Pakistan), and Ms. Manjari.

Manjari is thus the only Indian to receive this coveted award for the year for her contribution towards Urdu Literature and promoting the genre of Ghazals. She is also the youngest Indian to receive the eminent award.

In the past Adeeb International has awarded the Sahir and Adeeb awards to almost 60 eminent personalities and legends like Gulzar, Javed Akhtar, Kaifi Azmi, B R Chopra, Shabana Azmi, Sharmila Tagore, and Begum Bushra Rehman among others.

Speaking at the occasion, Manjari said, "I have been trying my best to promote Ghazals in its pure form by performing since last 3 years across 20 countries majorly USA, UAE, Malaysia, Middle East and more under 'Khayal'. I believe if Ghazals could be promoted the same way as pop music by the media and the industry then the youth would probably be drawn to the genre'. I have been in talks with several platforms both in India and Pakistan to help bring more young audiences to Ghazal concerts.

Manjari has been successfully performing with her own band, 'Khayal' for Ghazal Concerts at various venues in India, USA and UAE and more since year 2014.

Manjari was born in India on 17 April 1986 but spent her childhood in Muscat where her parents were pursuing their careers. Born with no musical lineage, Manjari’s inspiration to learn music was mainly drawn from her parents, especially her mother who was a keen music enthusiast since her childhood. When the legend, Dr. K.J. Yesudas visited Muscat, he happened to hear her sing and advised her parents to train the child in classical music.

Manjari was introduced into the world of film music by Musical Genius Ilaiyaraaja in the Sathyan Anthikad movie, 'Achuvinte Amma' at the age of 17. She sang two songs in the movie, a duet 'Swasathin Thalam' with Dr. K.J.Yesudas and a solo 'Tamarakuruvikku' which went on to become a chart-buster. Manjari went on to record numerous songs for prominent music directors in Malayalam including more than 40 songs for Ilaiyaraaja who introduced her in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada in the years that followed. Since her début, Manjari worked with all major music directors including veterans in Malayalam like Devarajan Master, Arjunan Master, Raveendran Master, Johnson Master, M G Radhakrishnan, Ouseppachan, Mohan Sithara, Ramesh Narayan and the young directors in the industry. She has to her credit over 200 film songs and has also lent her voice for numerous Malayalam albums. Manjari has also worked with numerous directors in other languages including Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. Manjari is also a trained Arabic singer which inspired her to learn Urdu poetry. She is also amongst the very few who have won a State Award at her debut.

Jashn-e-Sahir has witnessed the presence of almost all great poets of the sub-continent from 70’s till now on its stage and is an important event which is a thread of friendship between India and Pakistan. Jashn-e-Sahir is an annual event which is being organized in memory of great Urdu poet Sahir Ludhianvi. Adeeb International and Sahir Cultural Academy are hosting the 44th Annual Jashn-e-Sahir International Mushaira on March 19th at the Nehru Siddhant Kendra, Ludhiana where Manjari will be taking part in the International Mushaira and perform on two songs by the great Urdu poet Sahir Ludhianvi.