Manju Mehta

Manju Mehta was a highly respected Indian classical sitar player born on May 21, 1945, in Jaipur, India. She hailed from a family of musicians, with her elder brother Shashi Mohan Bhatt being her first sitar teacher. Manju later studied under Pandit Damodar Lal Kabra, a disciple of Ali Akbar Khan and Ravi Shankar. During her career, she performed globally, including tours in Europe, the USA, and Australia. Manju was also one of the founding trustees of Saptak, an organization dedicated to promoting Indian classical music, and she taught sitar there for many years. Her contributions to classical music were recognized with prestigious awards, including the Marwar Sangeet Ratna Award.

Manju Mehta's legacy extends beyond her performances; she was a dedicated educator, teaching music for over 35 years. Her daughters, Poorvi and Hetal, followed in her footsteps as musicians. Manju passed away on August 20, 2024, leaving behind a rich legacy in Indian classical music. While specific details about her recent releases like "Tranquil Sitar" and "Umeed" are not readily available, her impact on the world of classical sitar playing remains significant.