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Manmohan Dhar, from his childhood, was fondled by Kashmir’s beauty, love of uncles in a joint family who were locally known,
for their robust outlook, their wit and humour and their readiness to fight for the weak. He grew in an atmosphere of love and care by neighbors, in an environment where there were no dividing lines between Hindus and Muslims. It is not surprising, therefore,
that he can even now, at the age of eighty one, recite Kashmiri poetry and folk songs in the typical
Kashmiri tunes, which he in younger years sang in choruses, in the programs presented by London Majlis in the U.K. and at the International Rural Youth
Conference, held in Vienna in December 1954, when he was asked to lead a cultural delegation, on behalf of India, to the Conference, by the London Majlis.
He relates an unbelievable story, when on the coronation day Pt. Nehru. sitting in his Rolls Royce with Indira Gandhi
on his right, at the Knightsbridge crossing, shouted spontaneously, at Manmohan Dhar, who was walking back from the
Hyde Park after the conclusion of the coronation procession; and told him (Manmohan) that Indira was telling him that he
sang very well and that he (Pt. Nehru) would want him (Manmohan) to sing for him (Pt. Nehru). Of course, that day never came
but this was an affirmation of Manmohan Dhar’s lilting voice, which Indiraji had also liked.
His love for music grew from his childhood, nourished largely by his Uncle, Pt. Vidh Lal Dhar, who set up a theater: ‘Kashmir
Theatrical Co.’ in Srinagar, J&K state, in the twenties. Most of the musicians who visited Kashmir, during those days, used to
visit their house and there were music sessions held in their honour, where they would themselves sing.
At the age of thirteen he was greatly attracted by the life and sayings of Jesus Christ, His sermon on the Mount. Later, he was
given a small book-let written by J. Krishnamurti. Slow but subconscious accretion of influence of these writings drew him to the
beauty of nature in Kashmir. Mountains, lakes, the southern range of snow-covered peaks, the fragmented clouds catching the
morning rays of the rising sun clothes and other belongings.For nearly four days he lived like a naked sadhu. He was, however,
located and at the beckoning of the young sanyasin, himself, he returned to the normal world.
Back to normal life, he became an engineer and was married to a wonderful young lady who was a very beautiful person to look at
and even more so, in heart and soul. As an engineer, he was conscientious, able, dedicated and honest to a fault. He went to the
Imperial College of science and technology, where he completed his post graduate studies in structural engineering and also
developed an abiding relationship with Shri Krishna Menon. His engineering career in India reached fair heights of excellence and he
made a mark in management, in standardisation, in exports and in various fields of structural engineering. He was even asked by Pandit Nehru and
Shri T.T. Krishnamachar to join as a consultant in the Ministry of Steel in 1957 which Mr. Dhar declined because of his commitment
to M/s Braithwaite & Co.He never ever compromised his conscience. He believes in propagating joy through his relationship with people.
Manmohan Dhar presently lives in Delhi and is very active in his literary pursuits.
His greatest reward has been his relationship with people. It became for him an aid to unfoldment of his inner ‘self ’ in which the
basic ingredients have been love, mutual self respect and joy. He believes in worshiping God with Joy.
Manmohan Dhar
C-56,Kailash Apartments
Lala Lajpat Rai Marg
New Delhi-110048
India
e-mail:manmohan_dhar@vsnl.net
Telephone: 91-11-6471696
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