Manjari is an Indian playback singer and Hindustani vocalist. Her first stage performance was with Shiva, the Kolkata - based rock band, when she was in class eight.

Career

Manjari was introduced into the world of film music by Ilaiyaraaja in the Sathyan Anthikad movie, Achuvinte Amma. She sang two songs in the movie, a duet 'Swasathin Thalam' with Dr. K.J. Yesudas and a solo 'Tamarakuruvikku' in the movie. Since her début, she has worked with the likes of Ramesh Narayan, Ilayaraaja, M. G. Radhakrishnan, Kaithapram Vishwanathan, Vidyasagar, M. Jayachandran, Ouseppachan, Mohan Sithara and the late Raveendran Master and Johnson master She has also sung for albums such as Balabhaskar's Mazhayil Aaro Oral. She has sung over 300+ songs in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu films and several devotional/Melody/Solo albums to her credit. Manjari also runs her own YouTube channel. Since 2003, Manjari has performed Hindustani Classical concerts in India and the world over under the banner of "Soorya". Manjari also gained popularity as a Ghazal singer. She performed an exclusive Ghazal show titled 'Khayal' in 'Media One TV' featuring popular Ghazals of yesteryears. Manjari won the Kerala State Film Award for the best female singer twice; first in 2004, for the song Mukilin makale in the film Makalkku and second in 2008 for the song Mullulla Murikkinmel in Vilapangalkappuram. Manjari is a playback singer and Live performer. She has set up her own band for Ghazal Concerts and performs at various venues in India and abroad. Manjari continues to pursue her studies in Hindustani Classical Music under the tutelage of Pandit Ramesh Julé of Kirana Gharana. In 2016 she won the Sahir and Adeeb International Award for her contribution to Urdu and the genre of ghazals. Among the four recipients, she was the only Indian to receive the award in 2016. She is also the youngest Indian to receive the 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, Begum Bushra Rehman amongst others.

Personal life

Manjari was born to Babu Rajendran and Dr. Latha; she also has a younger sister named Madhuri. She is from Kannur. She is an alumna of Indian School, Al Wadi Al Kabir in the Sultanate of Oman. She was married to a pilot from the Indian Navy. They later separated. She is now married to her childhood friend Jerin.

Films

Discography

Singles

In 2014, Manjari released her first Hindi Single titled 'Aiy Aiy Yaa' with Crescendo Music. The Lyrics of Alok Jha is composed by Santosh Nair. The video was shot in exotic locations of Dubai. In 2015, Manjari released a Malayalam single titled 'Anuragam' which was composed and sung by the artist. She also featured in the video shot in Munnar under the direction of VK Prakash. She has also sung title songs for several Malayalam television series like Swami Ayyapan, Ente Manasaputhri, Krishnakripasagaram, Jalam ,Sreekrishnaleela ,Ammakkilikkoodu and Amme Bhagavathy. Manjari released her very first original Ghazal titled “Ab Etbaar Nahi” on 22 September 2020. This musical which is her own composition penned by Moid Rasheedi, won millions of hearts within the first day of release. Manjari has composed her own ghazals and released it on her YouTube channel (Manjari Official Channel - Singer). The two ghazals penned by Moid Rasheedi has been sung and composed by Manjari. The ghazals "Chale Aaoo" and "Mujhe Yaad Hai Vo Mausam" has reached the hearts of many and received lots of accolades from across the world.

Awards

Kerala State Film Awards: Asianet Film Awards: Mathrubhumi Film Awards: Kerala Film Critics Association Awards: Film Awards: Sahir and Adeeb International Award: