Pandit Manik Munde of Alandi, Pune, is an esteemed Pakhwaj player whose musical journey is inseparable from his deep devotion to God. With a spiritual level of 61%, he is recognised not only for his artistry but also for the purity of heart and humility that have shaped his life and spiritual progress.
From childhood, Pandit Munde carried a strong longing for God. The sound of the Pakhwaj became his way of expressing that love, and even today he plays with complete dedication, finding profound joy in every vibration of the instrument. His life reflects simplicity, low ego, and unwavering devotion, qualities frequently mentioned by those who know him closely.
Pandit Munde often shares that true love comes only from two sources : a mother and God. Losing his mother early in life left him searching for divine love, and this longing became the foundation of his spiritual path. Though he belonged to a well-off family, worldly comforts held little attraction for him; his heart sought only God. Destiny guided him to a Sadguru who not only initiated him into music but first taught him how to experience the essence of spirituality.
Panditji recalls saying to his Guru, “You are Dnyaneshwar and I am Reda. Without your grace, what music can I truly learn?” To this, the Guru would lovingly reply, “You are not Reda, you are my tiger.” Today, Pandit Munde carries forward that grace, sharing the same love, spiritual teachings, and purity with his own disciples. He believes, “As the mould is, so will the idol be. The more sattvik the Guru, the more sattvik the disciple.”
For him, the Pakhwaj is not merely an instrument, it is a medium of divine bliss. “The joy I experience should not remain only with me; it should reach everyone,” he explains. To be immersed in music and touch a state of Bliss, he says, is the true heart of musical practice.
His philosophy of life is simple yet profound:
“Let someone respect you or not; but we must never abandon simplicity. It should not only be outward, it should be seen in our nature. Before being an artist, one must be a human being.”
Disciples often speak of how, in his presence, they feel guided toward spirituality. Like the Gurus praised in the Gurucharitra, Pandit Munde is experienced as a compassionate, loving, and sattvik mentor who lights the path for others. Ms. Tejal Patrikar, the head of the music and dance section at MAV beautifully expressed, “In the sentiments of all his disciples, we witnessed Pandit Munde’s love and the deep ‘Sanskar of devotion to God’ he instills.”
Through music, humility, and an earnest desire to uplift others, Pandit Manik Munde continues to inspire countless seekers. He is an artist whose life itself is an offering to God.
