Doctorate in Music from HP University and a young researcher, musician - Dr. Manoj Verma is presently a Fellow at Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla. His area of specialization and interest are:
>> North Indian music, Indian classical music, semi classical music, light music, film music, folk music.
>> Folk culture, lores, tales and traditions of Himachal Pradesh.
>> Spirituality, music therapy, psychology of music.
Dr. Manoj Verma holds an M.A. in Vocal Music, an M.Phil., and a Ph.D. in Music, and is a multiple-time UGC-NET qualifier. As a young researcher, he has established a distinct identity through his research work and contributions as a Himachali folk singer committed to the preservation of traditional folk music. In his doctoral research, Dr. Verma explores how listening to folk music helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while promoting a sense of calmness, devotion, and emotional clarity. His M.Phil. work focused on the musical study of spiritual folk songs in the Jubbal region of Himachal Pradesh. Dr. Verma has published 17 research papers in reputed peer-reviewed journals so far, and many are currently under the publication process, covering a wide range of topics such as music therapy, folk traditions, folk music, the music of Himachal Pradesh, Indian classical music, and spirituality. He has participated in 20 research workshops, seminars, and conferences, presenting 11 research papers at national and international forums.
As a performer and musician, Dr. Verma has been associated with the “folk music of Himachal Pradesh” for more than 10 years and is popularly known by his stage name, “Maan Verma”. His albums—DJ Nights 2, Jatar Nonstop, and DJ Nights—have received millions of views on YouTube/Facebook. He has performed at many prestigious national and international forums, festivals, and fairs both within and outside Himachal Pradesh, showcasing the region's (Himachal Pradesh) rich musical heritage. Along with this, he is a well-known lyricist, music composer, music director, and professional music video and photo editor under the brand name M-Arts.
In addition, Dr. Verma served as a guest music teacher in the ICDEOL department of Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla. He has also delivered numerous lectures on the role of music therapy and folk music in calming the mind at various government colleges across Himachal Pradesh, including G.C.Sanjauli, RKMV, G.C.Rampur, G.C.Seema, G.C.Shillai, G.C.Nahan, G.C.Saraswati Nagar, G.C.Sunni, G.C.Rajgarh, and G.C.Paonta Sahib. Additionally, he has actively participated in college and inter-university music competitions, consistently delivering outstanding performances. As a fellow at the prestigious Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Shimla, Dr. Verma is currently working on a project titled “हिमाचल प्रदेश के जिला शिमला तथा सिरमौर की देव परम्परा में पारंपरिक लोक वाद्य-वृन्द के स्वरूप तथा महत्व का सांस्कृतिक एवं ऐतिहासिक अध्ययन” His work seeks to explore how these ancient orchestral practices in Himachal Pradesh serve not only as musical expressions but also as spiritual, psychological, and social tools that contribute to community well-being.