Manto Munshi

Sumitrajit Munshi, better known as Manto Munshi (Bengali: ম্যান্টো মুন্সী; 23 October, 1943 – 2 March, 2010), was an Indian pianist, bandleader and composer based in Kolkata, India. A descendant of the extended Munshi family of Kadirpara and Chougachi, Munshi was born on October 23, 1943, to Indian artist Annada Munsi and Jayati Munshi in Paikpara, Kolkata.

Early life

Educated at house, Munshi learnt music from his father Annada Munsi. Besides piano, Munshi eventually became a multi-instrumentalist proficient in playing 16 instruments, including accordion, mouth organ, violin, harmonium and tabla.

Artistry

Munshi was noted for his exceptional musical ability and wide-ranging repertoire. He could perform a variety of Hindustani classical ragas and Western classical pieces (composed by Beethoven, Mozart and Franz Liszt), and compositions without written notation, reportedly relying on his strong memory and ability to reproduce music after hearing it once. In addition to Hindustani and Western classical music, he was also skilled at playing Rabindra Sangeet, folk songs, and kirtan melodies on the piano. Annada Munsi reportedly described Satyajit Ray as "reincarnation of Beethoven" and his son Manto as a "reincarnation of Mozart", and referred to his son as "Mozart," a nickname that later became popular; Anandabazar Patrika also referred to Munshi as "Mozart" in 1971.

Personal life

In his personal life, he married Poli Rana (later Munshi), a resident of Guwahati, in 1967, and had two sons.

Death and legacy

Munshi died on March 2, 2010 in Tala Park, Kolkata. Both the books were reviewed in Anandabazar Patrika.