BBC - Radio 3 - Womad 2004 - Purbayan Chaterjee

PURBAYAN CHATERJEE & UDAY BHAWALKAR (INDIA)

Lineage is all-important in the world of Indian classical music, and the young sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee certainly has thoroughbred antecedents. He learned the instrument from his father, Stri Parthapratim Chatterjee, who himself was a disciple of Pandit Nikhil Banerjee and the great Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.

Purbayan has also been lucky enough to receive some training directly from Ali Akbar Khan himself. He has performed at almost all of the great Indian music conferences, which gather together all the brightest stars of the Indian classical tradition on an annual basis. He has also performed in some of the most prestigious festivals, symposiums and concert halls around the world.

Purbayan is recognised as one of the finest sitarists around and the leading exponent of the Pt. Nikhil Banerjee school of playing which blends the depth, discipline and richness of the 'Dhrupad' way with the exuberance and lyricism of the 'Khayal' way. Purbayan is not only globally recognised for his ability to combine technical brilliance with depth and serenity, but for his open-mindedness and willingness to work with and learn from other musicians. One of his projects is 'Raga Afrika' is a collaboration with a group of leading musicians from South Africa.

Purbayan will be joined by the eminent Dhrupad vocalist Uday Bhawalkar who will also give a short performance with his own ensemble at the beginning of the show.

Courtesy of Andy Morgan, July 2004

Read other people's comments then

Tell us what you think:

Raj Naidu, Tampa, Florida
It’s a marvelous work by Sri Parthapratim Chatterjee So amicable representation of musical sound combination……the soothing Indian Classical Music has always showed her rich tradition and deeper understanding of sound notes and its effects on our neurons….. Very inspirational and recharging to people like me who can efford to take a pause from hectic busy rolling life. And I am glad to see in WOMAD as the westerns can also get an opportunity to experience the mystical feeling of dancing our emotions with sounds variations of those sitar strings. Thank you.
Wed Mar 16 00:28:25 2005

Kelly, Brighton
Never heard anything like it before or since, absolutely mind blowing and a fantastic WOMAD moment! More next year please :o)
Wed Sep 15 21:54:07 2004

Matt, Bournemouth
What a way to end a great festival of music...Uday Bhawalker had the whole audience totally transfixed with his singing etc...AMAZING! A once in a lifetime experience.
Wed Sep 8 12:46:18 2004

Mush, Bournemouth
Bhawalker was absolutely incredible! I have never heard anyone sing as amazingly as that... I feel priveliged to have been there. I hope to see them next year.
Sun Sep 5 21:42:04 2004

Sharon & Richard, Sussex
This was a stunning way to finish WOMAD - Chaterjee and Bhawalker performed breathtaking sets, magical, spiritual, uplifting and very moving and perfect for a wonderful warm late evening. Thank you for scheduling these two excellent performers.
Mon Aug 2 19:53:29 2004