Madhuri Jadhav Enthralls with Her Music and Singing Prowess
By Mahadev Desai
 

Madhuri Jadhav

Atlanta’s well-known and popular Hindustani classical and semi-classical vocalist Madhuri Jadhav’s soothing and melodious voice and heart-centered vibes transports the listeners to a higher plane. Madhuri, an exemplary and exceptional singer is graced with beauty, talent, poise, innate compassion, and zest. Modest, genial, articulate, and multitalented Madhuri is a protagonist in the Gwalior Gharana, and is a disciple of Pandit Dr. Haribhau ji Khandare, and is a musician-singer, composer, harmonium player, AIR(All India Radio) graded artist, and prestigious Zee Sa Re Ga Ma Pa 2006 Finalist on Zee Marathi.

Madhuri was born in Shegaon in Maharashtra, Saint Shree Gajanan Maharaj’s sacred janmabhoomi. Her home was filled with music. Her father, Dr.Haribhau ji Khandare, now retired, has a Doctorate in music and was a music professor. Her mother Meera, who also has a Masters Degree in music, taught music. Her three sisters and two brothers Dr. Archana Ambhore, Dr. Savita Mahajan, Prof. Bhagyashree Satav, Dr. Shailesh Khandare, and Dr. Nilesh Khandare, respectively, are all All India Radio’s graded artists.

With mother Meera and father Dr. Haribhau Khandare

Describing her initiation into the world of music, she related, “I began singing and also playing the harmonium with all the notations at the age of four. One day, my father called me and recited a Sanskrit shloka, “Om Sangatcchdhwam,” in Raga Bhupali.I listened once and immediately played it on the harmonium and also sang it with correct notations!

“That impressed my dad, and my musical journey began after that. I sat with him when he was doing riyaaz and absorbed finer nuances of music. I am blessed with photographic memory which helps me make notation of music on the spot. Together, we composed and sang poems and made cassettes for school projects.”

Award from Indian actress Meenakshi Sheshadri in Nashville.TN

Madhuri honed her singing and music talent during her school and college days and later during postgraduate period. Her first singing program was on radio station Akashwani-Jalgaon at the age of seven. Then she performed her first program on Mumbai Doordarshan’s kids’ talent TV show “Kilbil.” She next did a program on “Baalchitravani” on Pune Doordarshan. She was a finalist in “Sansui Antakshari” on Zee TV, Mumbai and in “Raag Ek Rang Anek” on Doordarshan Sahyadri.She took part in inter-university youth festivals and was Color Coat holder multiple times.

She shared stage with noted singers Sudhir Phadke, Anandji bhai, Shri Arun Date, Rahul Ranade, and Guru Thakur, to name a few.
Madhuri has earned an MA in music, and B.Ed. She is also a Sangeet Visharad, Mumbai University, and Natya Sangeet Visharad, Pune University. Her vast repertoire includes natya sangeet, ghazals, bhakti sangeet, dadra, hori, etc. She is also proficient in playing harmonium, violin, and tabla.

Award from India Consul Gen.in Atlanta Dr.Kulkarni at the IACA Atlanta Indian Idol Cotest-2020

After academic studies, she was a lecturer at SRM Mahavidyalaya from2005 to 2009. After marriage in February 2009, she and her husband Yogesh, who is a Computer Engineer, moved to America, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 2011.The couple, with their two daughters,Shreya 10, and Shrimai 5 have been residing in Atlanta for the past six years. Both daughters are wonderful singers.They have a great feel for singing. Shreya can play any song on Harmonium and piano.

Madhuri has performed during many festivals and fundraisers for charitable causes: Maharashtra Mandal (MMA) in New York (Ganapati Festival); in Chicago (Sankranti Festival); and in Milwaukee (Ganapati Festival); Hindu Temple of Chicago; Hindu Temple of Wisconsin; Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale; Sanatan Mandir Atlanta; Sai Temple; Hanuman Temple of Atlanta; and more.

She has been featured as an acclaimed singer on Shuddh Desi Radio, Nashville, Tennessee. She performed a Hindustani classical concert along with sitarist Josh Feinberg in Atlanta. She also performed at the release of Sangeetkar’s third music album, Pardesi III, in Atlanta.

Madhuri has been a judge at the Voice of Atlanta 2018 singing contest and a judge for Shuddh Desi Radio’s music contest in Nashville. She was also one of the Judges at the IACA Atlanta Indian Idol Cotest-2020.

With Ajinkya Deo

Madhuri was thrilled to recently meet with Marathi and Hindi film producer/director/actor Ajinkya Deo, at the India Consulate in Atlanta. She described him as modest,genial and dignified, who has acted in several outstanding movies including the historic big budget movie ‘Tanhaji’.

Madhuri’s humanitarian services have been much appreciated and rewarded with recognitions and awards, which include Vidushee upadhi in Chicago, Shree late Krishnarao Bhede puraskar in Nagpur, and the Padma Tai Lule Award at Vardha. At Ichalkaranji, Kolhapur, she was bestowed with an award by renowned Marathi music director Shree Ram Kadam, and from noted singer Shri Arun Datey at the Mumbai Doordarshan Musical serial. In Gwalior she received a certification of appreciation.

When time permits, she likes to read, draw, and take pictures. Madhuri is proficient in Hindi, Marathi, English, and can also sing in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Bengali.

“Who inspires and motivates you the most?” She instantly replied, “Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar ji. And of course, my parents and my husband, who are my constant support and strong pillars in my life.”

With husband Yogesh and daughters Shreya and Shrimai.

And when asked about her future goal, she said she would like to become a playback singer in Bollywood movies and wanted her voice to reach every corner of the world, presenting her ghazals, semiclassical concerts, devotional concerts, and Bollywood songs globally, as music knows no borders and creates inexplicable bonds among diverse people and nationalities. She also would like to start music/singing classes for children and also teach them about the rich Indian culture, customs, and traditions.

Madhuri has ample untapped talent to mine. The determination, upbeat attitude, and the drive to pursue her passion for music burns brightly as ever. Many exciting chapters are waiting to unfold in her promising journey. With her impressive artistry and depth, she will surely be a trailblazer in the musical field.