Biography of Mandar Agashe: Founder of Sarvatra Technologies & Musician
Biography of Mandar Agashe:
Early Life and Family Foundations
Mandar Agashe was born on May 24, 1969, in Mumbai,
Maharashtra, into a prominent Chitpavan Brahmin family with a rich legacy of
industrial and entrepreneurial success. His father, Dnyaneshwar Agashe, was a
distinguished industrialist, and his mother, Rekha Gogte, came from the Gogte
family of Belgaum. Mandar’s lineage connects him to notable figures including
Chandrashekhar Agashe and Bapu Gokhale, indicating a deep-rooted legacy in
business and public life.
Academic Pursuits in Engineering
Mandar pursued his higher education at the Pune Institute of
Computer Technology, where he earned a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer and
Information Sciences. His academic journey at this institute laid the
groundwork for his future endeavors in technology and business. Graduating in
1990, Mandar was well-prepared to step into the burgeoning field of technology.
Entry into Business
In 1991, Mandar Agashe began his professional career by
joining the board of directors at his grandfather’s Brihan Maharashtra Sugar
Syndicate. His leadership potential was quickly recognized, and he became the
joint managing director of the syndicate in 1994. This role marked the
beginning of his significant influence in the business world, setting the stage
for his future ventures.
Expansion into New Ventures
Mandar's entrepreneurial spirit led him to explore various
business avenues. In 1998, he founded Brihans Pharmaceuticals, focusing on
Ayurvedic medicine. This was followed by the establishment of musicurry.com in
1999, an internet radio company, showcasing his interest in merging technology
with other sectors.
Founding Sarvatra Technologies
In January 2000, Mandar Agashe took a major leap by founding
Sarvatra Technologies. This company specialized in developing banking software,
marking his entry into the financial technology sector. Sarvatra Technologies
was pivotal in creating solutions for Suvarna Sahakari Bank, blending his tech
expertise with financial services.
Collaborations and Innovations
The year 2000 was also notable for Mandar as he collaborated
with California-based Questionable Ventures to enhance musicurry.com. He
enlisted Usha Mangeshkar as the creative consultant, aiming to digitize and
showcase the Mangeshkar family archives, demonstrating his commitment to
integrating traditional arts with modern technology.
Launching New Products
Mandar’s innovation continued with the establishment of
Brihans Natural Products Ltd. in April 2000. The company launched a successful
range of aloe vera skincare products in 2002. This venture reflected his
ability to diversify and address consumer needs through natural products.
Strengthening Financial Technology
By 2006, Sarvatra Technologies introduced "Anywhere
Money" POS terminals, gaining commendations from Maharashtra's
politicians. This innovation highlighted Mandar’s role in advancing financial
technology solutions that facilitated transactions across various sectors.
Strategic Mergers and Partnerships
In 2007, Mandar merged the operations of EBZ Technologies
and Codito Technologies with Sarvatra Technologies. This strategic move
included partnering with Larry Ellison of Oracle Corporation to bring banking
software technology to rural India, which received approval from prominent
figures like Y. V. Reddy and Raghuram Rajan.
Legal Challenges and Setbacks
In November 2008, Mandar faced a significant challenge when
he was implicated in Suvarna Sahakari Bank’s alleged ₹4.3 billion scam. The
allegations involved misuse of loan sanctions, leading to his arrest. Mandar,
who was abroad at the time, returned to India to address the legal issues and
was subsequently placed under house arrest.
Biography of Mandar Agashe: Founder of Sarvatra Technologies & Musician/Age/Net worth/Businessman/Brihans Natural Products/aloe vera skincare/ Mandar
Resolution and Release
Mandar Agashe was released on bail in March 2009 after being
charged with sanctioning forged loan proposals. The Suvarna Sahakari Bank was
eventually dissolved and merged with Indian Overseas Bank in May 2009,
resolving the legal entanglements surrounding the case.
Revival and Growth in Financial Sector
After the legal issues were resolved, Mandar refocused on
his business ventures. By 2011, Sarvatra Technologies expanded its POS
terminals to urban co-operative banks, significantly impacting the financial
services sector. Under his leadership, the company’s financial switch supported
numerous banks, enhancing connectivity across India.
Adaptation During COVID-19
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 prompted Mandar
to adapt his business strategies. He announced plans to continue remote work
for half of his employees even after the lockdowns. This decision reflected his
commitment to modern work practices and employee well-being during
unprecedented times.
Musical Beginnings
Mandar Agashe's interests extended beyond business into
music. During his college years, he connected with Hridaynath Mangeshkar and
began composing music for Marathi films. His debut as a music composer was
marked by the 1995 Marathi movie "Hey Geet Jeevanache."
Early Music Releases
In 1994, Mandar released an English rock music album,
influenced by The Beatles. His exploration in music continued with the release
of his Marathi album "Achanak" in 1997 and the Hindi album
"Nazar Nazar" in 1998, which was produced by Ashutosh Phatak and
Dhruv Ghanekar.
Diverse Musical Projects
Mandar’s musical career saw further diversification with the
release of a new age-techno track titled "I Need Someone" in 2003.
His 2005 double-sided album "Two of Us" included both Hindi pop and
English rock music, showcasing his versatility as an artist.
Collaboration with Asha Bhosle
In April 2016, Mandar collaborated with legendary singer
Asha Bhosle on a western pop album featuring ghazals by Suresh Bhat. The album,
titled "82," was a tribute to Bhosle’s age and included a competition
for fan-made music videos, reflecting Mandar’s innovative approach to music
promotion.
Recent Musical Endeavors
Mandar’s musical journey continued with the release of the
Marathi retro album "Theek Aahe, Chaan Aahe, Masta Aahe" in June
2021. This album, produced during the COVID-19 lockdown, featured poems and
ghazals by Suresh Bhat and guest vocals from prominent artists like Aarya
Ambekar and Dhanashree Deshpande-Ganatra.
Legacy and Influence
Mandar Agashe’s multifaceted career as a businessman,
technology innovator, and musician has established him as a notable figure in
both the business and entertainment industries. His ability to blend
traditional values with modern innovations continues to influence and inspire
across various fields.
A timeline of Mandar Agashe's journey:
May 24, 1969: Born in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
1990: Graduates with a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer
and Information Sciences from Pune Institute of Computer Technology.
1991: Joins the board of directors at Brihan Maharashtra
Sugar Syndicate.
1994: Becomes joint managing director of Brihan Maharashtra
Sugar Syndicate.
1998: Founds Brihans Pharmaceuticals.
1999: Establishes musicurry.com.
January 2000: Founds Sarvatra Technologies.
April 2000: Launches Brihans Natural Products Ltd.
2002: Introduces aloe vera skincare products.
2006: Introduces "Anywhere Money" POS terminals.
2007: Merges EBZ Technologies and Codito Technologies with
Sarvatra Technologies.
November 2008: Faces allegations in Suvarna Sahakari Bank
scam.
March 2009: Released on bail; Suvarna Sahakari Bank is
dissolved in May 2009.
2011: Expands Sarvatra Technologies' POS terminals to urban
co-operative banks.
2020: Adapts business strategy for remote work during COVID-19 pandemic.
June 2021: Releases Marathi retro album "Theek Aahe,
Chaan Aahe, Masta Aahe."