Sureshbabu Mane

Sureshbābu Māne (1902 - 1953) was a prominent Hindustāni classical music singer of Kirānā Gharānā in India.

Early life and training

Sureshbabu was born as Abdul Rehmān to Kirana Gharana master Ustād Abdul Karim Khān and Tārābāi Māne. Tarabai was the daughter of Sardār Māruti Rāo Māne, a brother of princely Barodā state's "Rajmātā" during the middle of the 19th century. Abdul Karim Khan was the court musician in Baroda when Tarabai was young, and he taught her music. The two fell in love and decided to get married; but Tarabai's parents disapproved of the alliance, and the couple had to leave the state (along with Abdul Karim's brother, Ustād Abdul Haq Khān). The couple moved to Bombay (Mumbai), and had two sons: Suresh or Abdul Rehmān, and Krishnā; and three daughters: Champākali, Gulāb, and Sakinā or Chhotutāi. In their adult lives, the five respectively became known as Sureshbābu Māne, Krishnarāo Māne, Hirābāi Badodekar, Kamalābāi Badodekar, and Sarswatibāi Rāne.

Sureshbabu had his initial training from his father, and later training from the doyen of Kirana Gharana, Ustād Abdul Wahid Khān, (who was a cousin of his father), and from Sawāi Gandharva.

Career

Sureshbabu was an expert in Khyāl, Thumri, Marāthi Nātya Sangeet, and Bhajan. He performed in musical roles in several Marathi plays, and movies.

Sureshbabu's sister, Hirābāi Badodekar, and Prabhā Atre -–two well-known classical music singers-- were among his important disciples.

An annual music festival is held in Mumbai in the name of Sureshbabu and Hirabai.