Tarun Bhattacharya - Santoor
Siddharth Komaragiri - Tabla
Come join us at the Chhandayan Center for a concert by the renowned Santoor maestro Tarun Bhattacharya. The performance will also be streamed live.
Tarun Bhattacharya
On of the unparalleled music ambassadors India has contributed to the world is Santoor Maestro Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya. He has been for the last 30 years a potential flag bearer of Indian classical music at top notch world concerts, from Royal Albert Hall to Kremlin (Russia), to Palace-de-beaux (Brussels) to Theater- De-La-Ville (France) to Apollo Theatre (Spain) to Jubilee auditorium (Canada), etc. having an endless list of mesmerized audience from Prince Charles to late Jorge Harrison to Paolo Solaris, etc
Being the only Santoor Maestro from the famous Maihar Gharana, Pandit Bhattacharya has revolutionized Santoor, the instrument, as well as it style of playing. He is known as the first champion (1980) who proved that one could ‘meend’ or glide notes at the lower octave in a hammered instrument like Santoor. Pandit Bhattacharya is also know for the invention of “mankas” or fine tuners that help in the tuning of this 100 stringed instrument fast, with a long lasting effect and a very high degree of accuracy. His innovative techniques of playing the Santoor also facilitates in the playing of “Krintans, Ekharatans, Boltans, etc.” thus broadening the utility of the Santoor in various traditional arts. Furthermore, his improvisation on the shape and string arrangements produces deeper and more classical sound for the Santoor.
Pandit Bhattacharya is recognized the world over for his Ragdari, as well as, Layakari (mathematical calculations) and plays music that touch the soul. The sounds from his Santoor thrill all generations young or old, connoisseurs or the common man, and from any country.
Pandit Bhattacharya has released over 60 CDs and Cassettes. He has been the recipient of numerous felicitations like pre Grammy nomination in 97, excellence in world music USA, and his CD “Kirwani” has been acclaimed as the top 10 in the world. Pt. Bhattacharya received his talim (music instructions) from his father Pt. Rabi Bhattacharya, Pt. Dulal Roy and finally from the great Bharat Ratna Pt. Ravi Shankar.
Siddartha Komaragiri
Siddhartha Komaragiri, also known as KVSTabla, is a classically trained tabla player based out of Manhattan, New York City. He began training when he was 7 years old and has been learning from Pt. Samir Chatterjee since he was 12 years old. Throughout his time playing tabla, he has won various awards and national competitions. Outside of Indian classical concerts, Siddhartha has performed at a plethora of luxury weddings as a fusion and classical artist. He also performs at many unique events. Recently, he shared the stage with a couple others to open for Jay Sean at the 2022 Times Square Diwali party (50,000+ people). He also played for multiple Mayyur Girotra runway shows during New York Fashion week.