Musical Expressions

Sarathi Chatterjee performs at the programme.

Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, High Commission of India, Dhaka hosted a solo performance of Hindustani classical vocal music at the National Theatre Hall of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on October 15. The featured artiste was Pandit Sarathi Chatterjee from India.
Pandit Chatterjee is one of the leading younger exponents of Hindustani classical vocal music. Born into a family of musicians, Sarathi Chatterjee received his initial music lessons from his father, Professor Arun Kumar Chatterjee, an accomplished representative of the Kirana Gharana (school of music). Sarathi Chatterjee won the first prize at the All India Radio Music Competition at the age of 17. His early demonstration of talent matured into musical sophistication, artistry and virtuosity -- under the guidance of the celebrated vocalist Pandit Rajan-Sajan Mishra of the Benaras Gharana. Thus, Sarathi Chatterjee's music now blends elements of Benaras and the Kirana Gharana gayaki (style) -- resulting in a unique musical expression.
At the October 15 concert, the vocalist started off with a khayal performance on Raga Anandi. Tabla artiste Gopal Mishra accompanied him on rupak taal. Two short khayal followed on ektaal and teentaal (beat) respectively.
Pandit Chatterjee's performances are characterised by his powerful and melodious voice, depth of expressions, systematic development of bistaar, highly complex yet well structured sargam, and sizzling taan that develop and portray the emotional content of his chosen raga.
A sophisticated composition on Raga Hambir went on jhaptaal. Another short khayal on teentaal followed. The performance of a bhajan, belonging to Raga Kirwani, came next. And last but not the least, the artiste performed a thumri on Raga Bhairavi.
Bangladeshi singer Bizon Chandra Mistry, on the harmonium, accompanied Sarathi Chatterjee during the two-and-a-half hour long performance. Maya Aktari and Nitu assisted the artiste on tanpura.
Apart from khayal gayaki, Chatterjee is also an accomplished performer of thumri and bhajan.
Sarathi Chatterjee's music has won him accolades during his overseas performances in the UK, Canada, Switzerland, Finland, France, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and the Middle East. Sarathi is also a prolific teacher of Hindustani classical vocal music.