Manoharbua Shirgaonkar

Manoharbua Mukund Shirgaonkar ( 1909–1914 – 5 August 1978), also known as Bhajan Samrat, was an Indian Bhajan singer and musician from Goa. Originally a theatre actor and instrumentalist, he is credited with developing a distinct style of devotional music known as "Manohari bhajan", which blends the Warkari tradition with classical vocal music.

Early life Shirgaonkar was born in Pissurlem, Sattari taluka, Portuguese Goa. While his exact birth date is unrecorded, it is estimated to be between 1909 and 1914. His birth name was Ganesh, and he was affectionately known by the nickname "Sukdo". He was later given the name "Manohar" by the vocalist Dinanath Mangeshkar, who was impressed by his singing style.

He was born to Mukunda and Rukmini Shirgaonkar. His family's traditional occupation involved service at the Lairai temple in Shirgaon, where they played the shenai and accompanied dances on the mridangam. Shirgaonkar received Marathi education up to the fifth standard. At the age of 20, he married Saraswati. The couple had three sons, Narayan, Shashikant, and Gurudas, and three daughters, Vinabai, Vaijayanti, and Latika.