04 Mar 2018 | 06:04am IST
Still playing after all these years
Jaywant Mandrekar has been playing the tabla and the harmonium for 70 years and has taught over a 1000 students but still dedicates hours honing his craft, Ashmita Polji spent some time with him
Ashmita Polji
Pernem Taluka is always as the birthplace of various artists who have made their career in different profession such as singers, actors, musicians and more. Similarly, Jaywant Mandrekar a musician has made his name in the field of music in Pernem Taluka as well as in Goa.
Dedicating his life to music, 77 years old JaywantMandrekar is a resident of Deulwada, Mandrem and has been into music for 70 years. From composing music to playing musical instruments like the harmonium and tabla, Mandrekar have contributed a lot to the music field.
Talking to Herald, Jaywant Mandrekar said,” Our four generations have been into music. My father late Shankar Mandrekar was student of Khadim Hussain, Raghuvir Mandrekar and more. Since my father was into music I also got attracted towards music and gained interest and thought of making a career in music.
Mandrekar entered into music at the age of 7. Starting with the harmonium, he later moved to other musical instruments. Mandrekar has played harmonium at different music functions/festivals with famous singers such as Anjalibai Lolyekar, RatanPai, Ajit Kadkade, Devaki Pandit and more.
Jaywant Mandrekar has also performed at taluka level as well as state level in Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka. Mandrekar also worked at All India radio for 50 years performing the harmonium and other instruments for Akashwani and Doordarshan.
With his 70 years of experience, Mandrekar has taught more than 1000 students and has been felicitated more than 100 times by different organizations. However even after 70 years of experience, Mandrekar dedicates several hours of his day playing harmonium.
Mandrekar further said,” Since my father was into music, there was an environment of music in our family because of which my wife and my children's also supported and always cooperated with me through my journey of music.
Along with Jaywant Mandrekar his son Sanjay Mandrekar is also into music and plays the tabla at different musical functions.
With the modern music trend, Mandrekar expressed that youth should move more towards our classical traditional music then going for new trends.
