Very honestly speaking, no one in our family was inherently into any art based careers. But just because a friend suggested, Poonam joined the dance class. Today whatever that Poonam has achieved or who she is today as an artist is all because of Maneesha Tai and Rajas Sathe. The two of them loved Poonam dearly not just as their first student but more so as their daughter. To give a small example, even if something as seemingly small as some sweet dish being prepared happened at home, it would immediately be communicated to Poonam. They would have her invited even in those times when phones were not there. It was felt the most when Poonam got married in 1990 and during the 1991 annual program when Poonam came to perform, Rajas ji announced on stage that they felt as if a married  daughter had returned home. I have no qualms in saying that in Poonam’s life Maneesha tai and Rajas ji hold the same importance as us, her parents. Poonam was given a special identity, a special place in the world by them. She used to note down all her programs. Her 100th program was coincidentally one of Maneesha Nrityalaya’s annual programs and on that occasion Rajas ji had distributed Pedha-s to the entire auditorium to commemorate this achievement of her’s.

Niranjan Joshi, father of Poonam Gandhi (one of the first disciples of Guru Maneesha Sathe)