IMSOM Concert: Partha Bose (Sitar)

Partha Bose is a widely acknowledged Sitar player and a much respected artiste in the arena of comtemporary Hindustani Classical Music.

Born on January 21,1962, Partha was initiated to the Sitar at the age of six and thereafter underwent intensive training in the tradition of Guru-Shishya parampara under the tutelage of Pandit Monoj Shankar of the famous Maihar Gharana. He has been playing Sitar for over two decades now. Partha has received overwhelming appreciation from connoisseurs and critics of Hindustani classical music in India and abroad He has been a distinguished performer on radio and television and was invited by the Government of India to lead a cultural delegation to African countries on the historic occasion of the Golden Jubilee celebrations of India's Independence. His concert tours to the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Middle East & Bangladesh have featured him in major international festivals as well as reputed universities in performances, workshops, lecture-demonstrations and teaching sessions.

In February 2009, Partha Bose was the only Indian Classical Musician invited by the Australian Capital Terrotory Government to perform in the National Multicultural Festival in Canberra. He was one among the several artistes from over 80 countries to perform in this festival.

Abhijit Banerjee

Considered among the top class of tabla players from India, Abhijit Banerjee is one of the most sought after creative artists in the realm of Indian classical music. With nearly 20 years of professional experience Abhijit has crafted a unique style and creative approach which has brought him accolades and awards throughout the world for his sensitivity,skill and deep sense of musicality. Apart from his contributions to Indian music he has delved into a diverse variety of world music crossover as both a performer and composer.

Recognizing his talent and natural inclination towards music his father steered him to tabla at the age of four. Abhijit also studied vocal music and violin making a complete musician out of him. Now he is accepted as one of the main disciples of the illustrious guru, the late Pt. Gyan Prakash Ghosh.

Abhijit has accompaniment on tabla nearly all of the top ranking stars of Hindustani classical music including Pt.Ravi Shankar, Late Pt.Nikhil Banerjee, Begum Parweena Sultana, Pt.Jasraj, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Dr.Balamurali Krishnan from South India to name a few. As a tabla soloist he has also left his distinct mark through numerous performances in India & abroad.

Abhijit has toured extensively in USA, Canada, U.K., Europe, Japan, Australia, South Africa, South East Asia and Mexico as well as performing in all of the major classical music festivals in India. International performances of note include Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Gevant Haus in Germany, Paleis in Brussels, Theatre de la Ville & Radio France in Paris. Abhijit also had had the honor of representing India in the Granada Festival of Music.

In addition to a highly successful career in Indian Classical music his crossover work includes collaborations with musicians such as Ry Cooder, Larry Corryell and Trilok Gurtu. Abhijit founded his own touring ensemble TARANG performing his original compositions, and released a cd of the same title. He is also member of the Raga Jazz group.

Abhijit has scored music for Indian television & won the National Award for Documentary Music for the film about Calcutta ‘The Trail’, which screened in the Munich and Amsterdam film festivals.

Abhijit founded & established Dhwani Academy of Percussion in Los Angeles and Calcutta attracting talented students from around the world. He has conducted workshops and educational performance seminars on the intricacies of Indian music in universities & cultural centers in US, Spain, Germany, France, UK, Japan & Mexico.

In his academic life he is a graduate in English literature and post graduate in Journalism.