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Students of Indian and Western music and dance are invited to join us for 4 days of instruction on tabla and Indian rhythm at the Chhandayan Center in New York City. This workshop will be led by Chhandayan’s founder Samir Chatterjee.
Come join us for 4 days of intense instruction on tabla and Indian rhythm at the Shanti Mandir Ashram complex in Walden NY.
This Chhandayan Tabla Ashram (workshop) will be conducted by Samir Chatterjee. Students of Tabla and other branches of music and dance interested in Indian rhythm may join. A minimum level of learning experience is required. Students should bring their own instruments, notebook, a non-intrusive recording device and may bring their water bottle and cushion, if needed. They should wear decent and comfortable dress. They should be in practice for certain number of hours in preparation for the workshop.
Lodging includes vegetarian meals cooked at Shanti Mandir Ashram. Please let us know if you have any allergies.
They have double rooms and dormitory rooms. Please let us know if your preferences.
Originally scheduled for Female tabla students, this seminar is now open. Students of Indian and Western music and dance are welcome to join. are invited to join us for 4 days of instruction on tabla and Indian rhythm at the Chhandayan Center in New York City. This workshop will be led by Chhandayan’s founder Samir Chatterjee.
Come join us for 4 days of intense instruction on tabla and Indian rhythm at the Shanti Mandir Ashram complex in Walden NY.
This Chhandayan Tabla Ashram (workshop) will be conducted by Samir Chatterjee. Students of Tabla and other branches of music and dance interested in Indian rhythm may join. A minimum level of learning experience is required. Students should bring their own instruments, notebook, a non-intrusive recording device and may bring their water bottle and cushion, if needed. They should wear decent and comfortable dress. They should be in practice for certain number of hours in preparation for the workshop.
Lodging includes vegetarian meals cooked at Shanti Mandir Ashram. Please let us know if you have any allergies.
They have double rooms and dormitory rooms. Please let us know if your preferences.
We are happy to announce our 2023 Tabla Ashram scheduled for the end of May 2023. This event will be held at the Chhandayan Center in New York City. It will consist of 4 days of tabla lessons and guided practice led by Chhandayan’s founder Samir Chatterjee. Each day will have 3 sessions: 10 am-1 pm, 2–5 pm and 6-9 pm.
More details are included in the registration form below. Please send in the form below. You may send in a check for payment with the registration.
If you want to pay using Paypal, you may use the button below. Note that we add a processing fee to Paypal payments to offset processing charges.
Chhandayan looks at Music, Mediation and Yoga as an integrated system towards well-being. A healthy body helps in realizing a sublime experience of life. It prepares towards the absorption of the effects of musical frequencies.
Rajashree is an internationally acclaimed personality in the field of Yoga. She has several years of experiences in the practice, performance and teaching the art of Yoga. She maintains a moderate approach in her teaching methodology, keeping in mind that everybody has a different body. She has personalized the guidance she received and continues to receive from several leading personalities from the fields of Yoga, Medicine and Spirituality. Her technique is not only flexible, but also unique in customization. According to her, Yoga is not only for those with physical capabilities; Yoga is for everyone. Everyone has equal right to benefit from this ancient Indian tradition towards wellness.
This workshop requires at least 5 registered students.
We are happy to announce that we have scheduled our 2022 Tabla Ashram for the beginning of July. These 5 days of tabla lessons and guided practice as a community of like-minded people is set up in the appropriate environment of Shanti Mandir, Walden, NY to create an opportunity for all participants to immerse into tabla, music and meditation. July 13th is Guru Purnima. We will celebrate that with an overnight session, as the finale..
The Dakshina for the Ashram and 'Donation' for lodging are in the attached registration form or through viewcy.
As it is in an Ashram, attendees are asked to be prepared to do Seva (service) by participating in some of the maintenance activities, such as doing the dishes after every meal Families are welcome to help with peeling, chopping, washing, and cleaning in the kitchen. They are also welcome to join in some of the Ashram's programs. We would also fulfill our obligation to leave our rooms and campus clean at the end of the Ashram/Workshop. Additionally, please make a note of the following:
1) All workshop attendees are advised that the Tabla Ashram/workshop is being held on Shanti Mandir’s ashram property and that all attendees are expected to respect the sanctity of the location including maintaining a peaceful demeanor and treating the buildings, land and religious articles with utmost respect. Attendees shall not be permitted to enter area marked “Private” or “Unauthorized.”
2) At no times are drugs, smoking, alcohol, or non-vegetarian food inclusive of eggs, allowed on the property.
3) Shanti Mandir hosts guests from all around the world and has other activities ongoing at the ashram. Shanti Mandir will work with the workshop staff so that there will be no disruption of the workshop or other ashram activities.
4) All Chhandaya Tabla Ashram/workshop 2019 attendees and the Chhandayan shall hold Shanti Mandir harmless and shall indemnify Shanti Mandir from any liability, loss or injury to person or property or action resulting from any intentional or negligent act on the part of a workshop attendee or the Chhandayan in connection with the workshop or while in residence at Shanti Mandir Ashram.
5) Any damage to the property of Shanti Mandir, equipment shall be reimbursed by Chhandayan.
6) Any accommodations or meals before or after these periods are payable to Shanti Mandir according to the rate of the room and meals.
We have held two satisfying multi-session tabla workshop via on-line streaming. Even if the era of COVID (hopefully) comes to a close, our experiences convinced us that the virtual medium can be an effective and efficient way of conducting group classes.. We are now confident to offer a third opportunity through a Summer Workshop in July and August 2021, with one session on each weekend (8 sessions total). The workshop will be offered in three groups of 1, 2 and 3, according to the following schedule:
Times are US Eastern Daylight Time
The registration fee for the all eight sessions is $900, you can also register for the first or second set of 4 separately for $500.
Participants need an Internet connection that can support streaming and a webcam with a microphone.
Payments for registration can be sent through Zelle (Citibank), Venmo, or Paypal to samir@tabla.org or phone number 718-809-4666. For other payment options, including international wire transfer, contact Samir at the email or phone above and he will provide you with the information.
Samir Chatterjee is a virtuoso Tabla player from India. He travels widely across the world throughout the year performing in numerous festivals as a soloist or with other outstanding musicians from both Indian and non-Indian musical traditions. Samir performed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway in 2007. He also performed a few times at the United Nations General Assembly. His compositions are widely acclaimed as well as his writings. Samir is a firm believer in the transforming effect of music on the society and all aspects of his work reflects this conviction.
Samir began his studies early with Pandit Bankim Ghosh, Pt. Balaram Mukherjee, Pt. Rathin Dhar and Mohammad Salim. His later formation as a musician occurred under the guidance of Pt. Amalesh Chatterjee (since 1966) and Pt. Shyamal Bose (since 1984). All of Samir's teachers have been from the Farrukhabad Gharana (school) of Tabla-playing, which he now represents.
Samir is rated ‘A’ as an artiste of Indian national radio and television. He can be heard on numerous recordings featuring as soloist, accompanying many of India's greatest musicians and in collaboration with western musicians of outstanding caliber. In concert Samir has accompanied many of India's greatest musicians including Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ud. Vilayat Khan, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Nikhil Banerjee, Pt. V.G. Jog, Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, M. S. Gopalakrishnan, Ud. Amjad Ali Khan, Ud. Salamat Ali Khan, Smt. Lakshmi Shankar, Pt. Manilal Nag, Ud. Ali Ahmed Hussain, Ud. Aashis Khan, Dr. L. Subramanium, U Srinivas, Ud. Naseeruddin Sami, Smt. Veena Sahashrabuddhe, Ud. Shujat Khan, Ud. Saheed Parvez, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, Ud. Nishat Khan, Ud. Rashid Khan, Pt. Tejendra N. Mazumdar, Pt. Debashish Bhattacharya, Smt. Arti Anklekar, Smt. Kaushiki Chakraborty, to name only a few.
Samir Chatterjee lives in the New York-New Jersey area, and has been a catalyst in the fusion of Indian and Non-Indian music, in his own creations and others as well. He performs with Pauline Oliveros, William Parker, Branford Marsalis, Ravi Coltrane, Joshua Bell, Yoko Ono Lenon, David Liebman, Oliver Lake, Dave Douglas, Ned Rothenberg, Mark Dresser, Mark Feldman, Jerome Harris, Eric Friedlander, Steve Gorn, Glen Velez, Boby Sanabria, Jin Hi Kim, Min Xiao-Fen, Dance Theater of Harlem, Boston Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Ethos Percussion group, Da Capo Chamber Orchestra, Boston Musica Viva and other jazz, classical and avant guard musicians and ensembles. He also collaborates with Sufi-Rock singer Salman Ahmad of Junoon from Pakistan. He is the composer and director of Indo-Flame – a blend of Indian and Flamenco dance and music, Chhand-Anand - a world percussion ensemble, RabiThakur – a ballet on the life of Tagore, Meghadootam – a feature program of music and dance on an ancient Indian poem, and Dawn to Dusk and Beyond – on the effect of music on humans and nature. He performs with Sanjay Mishra on his CD "Blue Incantation" featuring Jerry Garcia as guest artist.
Samir Chatterjee has been teaching for the last 35 years and many of his students are established performers. He is the Founder-Director of CHHANDAYAN, an organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Indian music and culture. He has authored a comprehensive 654-page book entitled A Study of Tabla, a guide book to Indian music titled Music of India and Those Forty Days, a journal of an austere practice regimen. He is on the faculty at Manhattan School of Music, University of Pittsburgh and New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. He also taught at the Yale University, Columbia University, New York University and Princeton University, among many other major institutions in the USA, Europe and India. He also contributes to several newspapers and periodicals. He won gold medal for his proficiency in a musical examination and has two Master degrees, in English and History.
Join Samir Chatterjee for a 4 session on-line workshop on Tabla presented by the Yatrapath Cultural Society. These workshops will be held on-line on the last two weekends of January.. Also note that there is a 10 1/2 hour time difference between India and the U.S. East Coast
Session 1 Saturday January 23, 2021 9:30PM-11:30PM IST
Saturday January 23, 2021 11:00AM-12:30PM EST
Session 2 Sunday January 24 ,2021 7:30AM-9:00AM IST
Saturday January 23, 2021 9:00PM-10:30PM EST
Session 3 Saturday January 30, 2021 9:30PM-11:30PM IST
Saturday January 30, 2021 11:00AM-12:30PM EST
Session 4 Sunday January 31, 2021 7:30AM-9:00AM IST
Saturday January 30, 2021 9:00PM-10:30PM EST
Note that this event was rescheduled from the middle of January, so any admissions purchased for those dates will still be good.
For more information, email the link above or info@tabla.org
Admission: $103 USD for all 4 sessions. When we receive your payment, we will send you links so that you can join on-line.
Samir Chatterjee is a virtuoso Tabla player from India. He travels widely across the world throughout the year performing in numerous festivals as a soloist or with other outstanding musicians from both Indian and non-Indian musical traditions. Samir performed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway in 2007. He also performed a few times at the United Nations General Assembly. His compositions are widely acclaimed as well as his writings. Samir is a firm believer in the transforming effect of music on the society and all aspects of his work reflects this conviction.
Samir began his studies early with Pandit Bankim Ghosh, Pt. Balaram Mukherjee, Pt. Rathin Dhar and Mohammad Salim. His later formation as a musician occurred under the guidance of Pt. Amalesh Chatterjee (since 1966) and Pt. Shyamal Bose (since 1984). All of Samir's teachers have been from the Farrukhabad Gharana (school) of Tabla-playing, which he now represents.
Samir is rated ‘A’ as an artiste of Indian national radio and television. He can be heard on numerous recordings featuring as soloist, accompanying many of India's greatest musicians and in collaboration with western musicians of outstanding caliber. In concert Samir has accompanied many of India's greatest musicians including Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ud. Vilayat Khan, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Nikhil Banerjee, Pt. V.G. Jog, Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, M. S. Gopalakrishnan, Ud. Amjad Ali Khan, Ud. Salamat Ali Khan, Smt. Lakshmi Shankar, Pt. Manilal Nag, Ud. Ali Ahmed Hussain, Ud. Aashis Khan, Dr. L. Subramanium, U Srinivas, Ud. Naseeruddin Sami, Smt. Veena Sahashrabuddhe, Ud. Shujat Khan, Ud. Saheed Parvez, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, Ud. Nishat Khan, Ud. Rashid Khan, Pt. Tejendra N. Mazumdar, Pt. Debashish Bhattacharya, Smt. Arti Anklekar, Smt. Kaushiki Chakraborty, to name only a few.
Samir Chatterjee lives in the New York-New Jersey area, and has been a catalyst in the fusion of Indian and Non-Indian music, in his own creations and others as well. He performs with Pauline Oliveros, William Parker, Branford Marsalis, Ravi Coltrane, Joshua Bell, Yoko Ono Lenon, David Liebman, Oliver Lake, Dave Douglas, Ned Rothenberg, Mark Dresser, Mark Feldman, Jerome Harris, Eric Friedlander, Steve Gorn, Glen Velez, Boby Sanabria, Jin Hi Kim, Min Xiao-Fen, Dance Theater of Harlem, Boston Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Ethos Percussion group, Da Capo Chamber Orchestra, Boston Musica Viva and other jazz, classical and avant guard musicians and ensembles. He also collaborates with Sufi-Rock singer Salman Ahmad of Junoon from Pakistan. He is the composer and director of Indo-Flame – a blend of Indian and Flamenco dance and music, Chhand-Anand - a world percussion ensemble, RabiThakur – a ballet on the life of Tagore, Meghadootam – a feature program of music and dance on an ancient Indian poem, and Dawn to Dusk and Beyond – on the effect of music on humans and nature. He performs with Sanjay Mishra on his CD "Blue Incantation" featuring Jerry Garcia as guest artist.
Samir Chatterjee has been teaching for the last 35 years and many of his students are established performers. He is the Founder-Director of CHHANDAYAN, an organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Indian music and culture. He has authored a comprehensive 654-page book entitled A Study of Tabla, a guide book to Indian music titled Music of India and Those Forty Days, a journal of an austere practice regimen. He is on the faculty at Manhattan School of Music, University of Pittsburgh and New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. He also taught at the Yale University, Columbia University, New York University and Princeton University, among many other major institutions in the USA, Europe and India. He also contributes to several newspapers and periodicals. He won gold medal for his proficiency in a musical examination and has two Master degrees, in English and History.
This past summer we had a very satisfying experience conducting a multi-session tabla workshop via Zoom calls. Especially in the era of COVID, our experiences convinced us that the virtual medium can be an effective and efficient way of conducting group classes.. We are now confident to offer you a similar opportunity through the 'Winter Workshop' from mid-December, 2020 through mid-January, 2021 on the weekends only. The workshop will be offered in three groups of A, B and C, according to the following schedule:
Times are US Eastern Standard Time
The registration fee for the entire session is $600.
Participants need an Internet connection that can support streaming and a webcam with a microphone.
Payments for registration can be sent through Zelle, Venmo, or Paypal to samir@tabla.org or phone number 718-809-4666. For other payment options, contact Samir at the email or phone above and he will provide you with the information.
Samir Chatterjee is a virtuoso Tabla player from India. He travels widely across the world throughout the year performing in numerous festivals as a soloist or with other outstanding musicians from both Indian and non-Indian musical traditions. Samir performed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway in 2007. He also performed a few times at the United Nations General Assembly. His compositions are widely acclaimed as well as his writings. Samir is a firm believer in the transforming effect of music on the society and all aspects of his work reflects this conviction.
Samir began his studies early with Pandit Bankim Ghosh, Pt. Balaram Mukherjee, Pt. Rathin Dhar and Mohammad Salim. His later formation as a musician occurred under the guidance of Pt. Amalesh Chatterjee (since 1966) and Pt. Shyamal Bose (since 1984). All of Samir's teachers have been from the Farrukhabad Gharana (school) of Tabla-playing, which he now represents.
Samir is rated ‘A’ as an artiste of Indian national radio and television. He can be heard on numerous recordings featuring as soloist, accompanying many of India's greatest musicians and in collaboration with western musicians of outstanding caliber. In concert Samir has accompanied many of India's greatest musicians including Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ud. Vilayat Khan, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Nikhil Banerjee, Pt. V.G. Jog, Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, M. S. Gopalakrishnan, Ud. Amjad Ali Khan, Ud. Salamat Ali Khan, Smt. Lakshmi Shankar, Pt. Manilal Nag, Ud. Ali Ahmed Hussain, Ud. Aashis Khan, Dr. L. Subramanium, U Srinivas, Ud. Naseeruddin Sami, Smt. Veena Sahashrabuddhe, Ud. Shujat Khan, Ud. Saheed Parvez, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, Ud. Nishat Khan, Ud. Rashid Khan, Pt. Tejendra N. Mazumdar, Pt. Debashish Bhattacharya, Smt. Arti Anklekar, Smt. Kaushiki Chakraborty, to name only a few.
Samir Chatterjee lives in the New York-New Jersey area, and has been a catalyst in the fusion of Indian and Non-Indian music, in his own creations and others as well. He performs with Pauline Oliveros, William Parker, Branford Marsalis, Ravi Coltrane, Joshua Bell, Yoko Ono Lenon, David Liebman, Oliver Lake, Dave Douglas, Ned Rothenberg, Mark Dresser, Mark Feldman, Jerome Harris, Eric Friedlander, Steve Gorn, Glen Velez, Boby Sanabria, Jin Hi Kim, Min Xiao-Fen, Dance Theater of Harlem, Boston Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Ethos Percussion group, Da Capo Chamber Orchestra, Boston Musica Viva and other jazz, classical and avant guard musicians and ensembles. He also collaborates with Sufi-Rock singer Salman Ahmad of Junoon from Pakistan. He is the composer and director of Indo-Flame – a blend of Indian and Flamenco dance and music, Chhand-Anand - a world percussion ensemble, RabiThakur – a ballet on the life of Tagore, Meghadootam – a feature program of music and dance on an ancient Indian poem, and Dawn to Dusk and Beyond – on the effect of music on humans and nature. He performs with Sanjay Mishra on his CD "Blue Incantation" featuring Jerry Garcia as guest artist.
Samir Chatterjee has been teaching for the last 35 years and many of his students are established performers. He is the Founder-Director of CHHANDAYAN, an organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Indian music and culture. He has authored a comprehensive 654-page book entitled A Study of Tabla, a guide book to Indian music titled Music of India and Those Forty Days, a journal of an austere practice regimen. He is on the faculty at Manhattan School of Music, University of Pittsburgh and New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. He also taught at the Yale University, Columbia University, New York University and Princeton University, among many other major institutions in the USA, Europe and India. He also contributes to several newspapers and periodicals. He won gold medal for his proficiency in a musical examination and has two Master degrees, in English and History.
Join us for the Chhandayan 2020 Tabla Ashram
The event starts on Saturday, June 26th at 8 pm (orientation session) and ends on July 4th 10.30 pm, with a daily schedule of 6 to 8 am, 9 am to 1 pm, 2 to 4 pm, 4.30 to 7 pm and 8 to 10.30 pm.
Led by Chhandayan’s founder, Samir Chatterjee, the ashram environment will provide participants with ideal conditions to immerse themselves in an in-depth study of tabla. Tabla players of all levels are welcome to attend. Students and musicians of other instruments and non-Indian music (Jazz, pop, western classical, etc.) are equally welcome to get their share of the musico-spiritual experience through participating, watching and listening to the practice and recitals or just by sitting in the room, .
Boarding and lodging is arranged at a very reasonable cost (please consult the registration form). Rooms are of two types: double and triple occupancy. Individual preferences will be considered during allotment. Lodging includes breakfast (8 pm), lunch (1 pm), afternoon tea (4 pm) and dinner (7 pm). Please specify food restrictions or all allergies, if any.
Anindita, a danseuse par excellence, is a rare combination of dancer, classical vocalist, choreographer, teacher, scientist & scholar. She is an accomplished artist of the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra gharana of dancing and is a known name within the Odissi genre. She has a Masters in Indian (Odissi style) Classical Dance from Chandigarh University and Bachelors in Hindustani Classical Vocal from ABGMM, Mumbai, India. She has been learning, performing and teaching Odissi classical dance and Hindustani Vocal and light music, semi-classical, folk and contemporary dances for almost two decadesand in the USA, where she lives at present. Her dance has the excellent blend of sensuous movement, graceful stances and strong defined footwork with absolute control of the rhythm and space. The elaborate choreography’s, fluidity of her movements and intrinsic foot works are trademark of her performances and her creations. She has multiple productions under her belt and has presented Classical Arts not only at national but also at international level.
She is a recipient of several awards and titles like the "Nritya Shree","Nritya Visharad" and "Nritya Praveen" , National Scholarship from Ministry of Cultural Affairs, in India, Orissa Society of America's and Jagannath Society distinguished artists award in the US. She has performed for several Sangeet Natak Academy sponsored events of Govt of India, Konark Festival, the SAARC Nations, the Festival of India in Argentina, Jaganaath Society America, OSA National Conventions, Festival of Arts, Reno, Nevada amongst others. She was the recipient of the "Human Greatness Award" presented by the Mayor of Danbury for her community outreach programs. She was nominated for the New England Women of the Year Award for her involvement and contribution to the South Asian Community in the New England area and the community at large.
She has been felicitated on numerous occasions at the Rotary Convention India and the US and also by Orissa Society of America's. She has been a featured artist for the newspaper "News Times", Danbury Edition, “Tribuna”, “Hartford Magazine”, Danbury Patch and many more. She has been invited as a Judge on the premier dance show on Sony TV called Boogie-Woogie Chalo USA. She has held numerous workshops, lecture demonstrations and charity shows for organizations like, HCC, WHO, City of Hartdford, IAGD(CT), Milan Group(Hartford, CT), P.S. We Care, Children’s First, OSA(USA), BJANA(NJ), AIA(NY), CAPI(CT), GOPIO(CT), IAWCT, TAWCT, TANA, ICDMS(North Carolina), Suny Purchase, West Conn, Norwalk Museum of Arts, Boston Museum of Arts (Boston), Arts Festical (Providence, RI), 100th Year Anniversary, Reno, Nevada to name a few. She is an active member of the Namaskar Foundation for Arts and also the Cultural Chair of the Indian Association of Greater Danbury. She was also featured as a prominent artist on the National Television (DD1) of India and also on the regional television of Odisha,
India. She represented USA in the opening of the Festival of India, Argentina. She toured Germany last year and performed in Stuttgart. She will be opening for the German Film Festival in Fall 2017 and also is scheduled for her Europe dance tour in September 2017.
She is the founder and artistic director of her creative venture, Soortaal, School of Dance and Music located in Danbury CT. Soortaal offers training in the Odissi dance and Indian Classical Vocal.She is a visiting professor of Dance at a performing arts school in La Plata, Argerntina and as well has a school in Nevada, USA. Not only as a performer, teacher and practitioner of the ancient arts, she is an ardent promoter of the arts and has established Natyatarang Festival of Arts (NTFA) at Yale, an annual International Cultural Arts festival to promote the classical arts, which completed its 8th year anniversary in 2016. She is a scientist when she is not dancing.
She is the founder and director of her creative venture, Soortaal, which is a platform to teach and propagate Odissi Classical form of dance and Hindustani or North Indian Classical Vocal to aspiring artists. Through the years Anindita has been actively involved with the cultural scene in the US, trying to not only promote Indian dance and music, but also to preserve the traditional and non-traditional art forms from the South Asia, predominantly India. She has many fusion and contemporary dance productions to her credit. Collaborating with other forms be it Ballet, Flamenco, Modern Creative, Balinese dance or various other dance forms, she has constantly tried to explore and prove the universal language of dance and music, the joy of movements, rhythm and sound.
Anindita, successfully presented and inaugurated the first International Classical Arts Festival, Natya Tarang, in Danbury, CT in 2011 with visiting Classical Artists from India and around the world. This is one of the first of its kind in Danbury, where she lives and got lot of accolades from the community. This is an annual festival which will showcase such artists in the future, to popularize the classical arts. This festival is annual hosted at the Yale University, New Haven CT
Anindita also writes for premier internet magazines and contributes articles for the local newspapers in Danbury, on the subject of dance, music and culture and much more.
Anindita has offered numerous workshops and lecture demonstration in schools, universities and libraries to make Indian classical dance and music accessible at the grass-root level, in the USA trying and building stronger artists for the future. She has sucesssfully established a full time residency program with collaboration with the Marigold Movement Center, Reno, Nevada.
Join us for 3 days of intensive tabla instruction and practice.
This Tabla Workshop will be for all levels of tabla students. Students of other disciplines are also welcome to attend. It will follow a daily schedule of 10 am to 6 pm, with provision to start earlier and/or end later.
We have about 6 sets of tablas to be used by attendees, if booked in advance. Some rugs and cushions are also available. There is a a dispenser of cold and hot water. Being in the heart of NYC, food options will be plenty.
Because of the long schedule, it is advised to get into the habit of long practice sessions before coming to the workshop.
This workshop is meant to help recognize, follow and maintain talas in application with vocal, instrumental music and dance. It will be conducted by Samir Chatterjee. His in-depth knowledge and ability to explain and communicate in simple terms can be beneficial to students and performers of all levels. Instrumentalists are recommended to bring their instruments.
Dr. Kaberi Sen is a prolific performer, teacher and scholar of Odissi dance, a North Indian style of classical dance. She holds a Ph. D Degree from the Rabindra Bharati University, an affiliate of University Grants Commission under Government of India (2018). She is also equally proficient in Rabindra Nritya, an indigenous dance form generated out of the choreographies for the dance dramas of Rabindra Nath Tagore.
She has learned Odissi dance under the guidance of Guru Smt. Aloka Kanungo for the past twenty-seven years. She has also been learning Rabindra Nritya from Guru Smt. Poly Guha for the past eight years.
She has worked as Senior Research Fellow under the Department of Dance in Rabindra Bharati University. She is a graded artist of Doordarshan, the National Television of India.
She won National scholarship form the Department of Tourism and Culture, Government of India. She also received scholarship from Rabindra Bharati University. She is the recipient of Production Grant from the Department of Tourism, Government of India. She won the first prize from West Bengal State Music Academy and Nehru Children Museum. She is an empaneled artiste of Eastern Zonal Cultural Center, India.
She has taught at Indian Cultural Troup, Malhar, Children’s Little Theater, Heritage School in Kolkata, Rabindra Bharati University and her own institution Divine Inspiration.
These 8 days of tabla lessons and guided practice as a community of like-minded people is set up in the appropriate environment of Shanti Mandir, Walden, NY to create an opportunity for all participants to immerse into tabla, music and meditation. The Ashram will open on June 29th 5 pm with the arrival of all participants and their associates (if any) and close on July 7th after breakfast. During this period there will be multiples sessions of lessons, practice, listening-appreciation, discussions and recitals.
The cost for enrollment is $1020. It includes tuition and 8 nights of boarding and lodging, a discounted rate of $40 per person per night. Attendees are welcome to bring their family or friends with additional payment of $320 person, at the same discounted rate of $40 per person, per night (adults or children). Check-in is on June 29th 5 pm and check-out on July 7th after breakfast. Boarding and lodging will include 8 nights of stay and 3 vegetarian meals everyday: breakfast (8 am), lunch (1 pm), afternoon tea (4 pm) and dinner (7 pm). Accommodations are in two types of rooms: double occupancy and triple occupancy. Please specify your preference along any food restrictions and/or allergies you might have at the time of enrollment.
As it is in an Ashram, attendees are asked to be prepared to do Seva (service) by participating in some of the maintenance activities, such as doing the dishes after every meal Families are welcome to help with peeling, chopping, washing, and cleaning in the kitchen. They are also welcome to join in some of the Ashram's programs. We would also fulfill our obligation to leave our rooms and campus clean at the end of the Ashram/Workshop. Additionally, please make a note of the following:
1) All workshop attendees are advised that the Tabla Ashram/workshop is being held on Shanti Mandir’s ashram property and that all attendees are expected to respect the sanctity of the location including maintaining a peaceful demeanor and treating the buildings, land and religious articles with utmost respect. Attendees shall not be permitted to enter area marked “Private” or “Unauthorized.”
2) At no times are drugs, smoking, alcohol, or non-vegetarian food inclusive of eggs, allowed on the property.
3) Shanti Mandir hosts guests from all around the world and has other activities ongoing at the ashram. Shanti Mandir will work with the workshop staff so that there will be no disruption of the workshop or other ashram activities.
4) All Chhandaya Tabla Ashram/workshop 2019 attendees and the Chhandayan shall hold Shanti Mandir harmless and shall indemnify Shanti Mandir from any liability, loss or injury to person or property or action resulting from any intentional or negligent act on the part of a workshop attendee or the Chhandayan in connection with the workshop or while in residence at Shanti Mandir Ashram.
5) Any damage to the property of Shanti Mandir, equipment shall be reimbursed by Chhandayan.
6) Any accommodations or meals before or after these periods are payable to Shanti Mandir according to the rate of the room and meals.
Registration deadline: May 20th (an incremental rate of $10 late fee is to added on every week after May 20th until June 25th)
Registration form can be downloaded using the button below and mailed to Chhandayan, 4 West 43rd Street, #616, New York, NY 10036 with the check made out to Chhandayan. One may also avail of the online payment options (a 3% surcharge is applied to cover Paypal fees) and email the registration form to classes@tabla.org.
Shruti Sadolikar-Katkar is a ‘Top Grade’ artist of Akashwani (All India Radio) and Doordarshan (TV). She was initiated into music and groomed by her father, Pt. Wamanrao Sadolikar, a disciple of Pt. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar and Ustad Alladiya Khan (Founder of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana) and his son Ustad Bhurji Khan. Shrutiji trained for 12 years under Ustad Gullubhai Jasdanwala, renowned for his repository of rare compositions and complex ragas of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. Shrutiji continued to learn from Ustad Bhurji Khan’s son, Ustad Azizuddin Khan, till his demise in August 2011.
Shrutiji is a graduate of Mumbai University. She received the Sangeet Visharad from Akhila Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal with distinction and did her Master’s degree in Music from SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai, with Distinction, winning the Bhaskarbua Bakhale Prize. She is presently the Vice Chancellor of Bhatkhande Music Institute Deemed University, Lucknow. Shruti is a much sought after concert artist and sis well known as a scholar musician.
Shrutiji has received a large number of prizes and awards which include the Raj Hans Puraskar, 2017; ‘Icons of Maharashtra’, Mumbai; the Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan Award, for her contribution to the Education Sector; the Jewel of Ruia Award from her alma mater, the Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai; the Swarayogini Prabha Atre Award, 2013; the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Music, 2011; The Sangeet Shiromani Award by Kashi Sangeet Samaj, Banaras, 2008; The Shanmukha Sangeet Shiromani Award by Shanmukhanand Sangeet Sabha, Mumbai, 2002. Shrutiji was awarded the Gopinath Savkar Prize, Talpade Memorial Prize and Pendharkar Prize for best production, best direction and best music direction for the play ‘Sangeet Tulsidas’ in 2001. She received the prestigious Dagar Gharana Sanman, from the Maharana Mewar Foundation, Udaipur, 1998.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Shrutiji’s achievements include The Bhulabhai Memorial Institute Scholarship, 1975; Kesarbai Kerkar Scholarship (National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai), 1976-78; The Homi Bhabha Fellowship (National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai), 1994-96.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. She has been a visiting professor at the Rotterdam Conservatorium in Netherlands.
2. Shrutiji was a Guru at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata;
3. She was a visiting professor at the Department of Music, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai;
4. She was a professor at the Department of Music, University of Mumbai.
5. Shrutiji is a guide for many research students for their PhD in Music.
6. She has delivered lecture-demonstrations on various aspects of Indian Classical Music in many schools and universities in India;
7. She has also toured for delivering lectures on music in the UK, USA, Canada, France, Switzerland, Scotland, Germany, Mauritius, UAE, Muscat, Kuwait, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Australia, etc.
8. Shrutiji has and still continues to produce research based thematic programs on various aspects of Indian culture and music.
9. She has been contributing to various research journals and magazines by way of written articles on various subjects regarding Indian Classical Music and Performing Arts.
10. Her educational CD, ‘The Raga Guide’, was produced and marketed by Nimbus Records, UK.
11. She has been recorded by prestigious record companies in and out of India.
12. As a tribute to her father, Shrutiji revived the musical play SANGEET TULSIDAS after 60 years (Pt. Wamanraoji had played the protagonist in the play in 1930).
13. As producer-music director- coordinator, Shrutiji presented the Marathi musical play SANGEET SAMSHAY KALLOL at the WORLD MUSIC THEATRE FESTIVAL in Netherlands, April 1999.
This Masterclass will be focused on the common aspects of rhythm applied in music and dance. It will be conducted by Samir Chatterjee, President and Head of Percussion Faculty of Chhandayan. He is also currently on the faculty at the University of Pittsburgh, New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and Manhattan School of Music and has taught at several reputed institutions worldwide for over four decades. In his illustrious career as a performer, teacher and scholar he has gained invaluable insight into the practical, philosophical and spiritual possibilities embedded in music.
Online participants may please send us your question/s or comments to 646 281 4062 / classes@tabla.org
Samir Chatterjee is a virtuoso Tabla player from India. He travels widely across the world throughout the year performing in numerous festivals as a soloist or with other outstanding musicians from both Indian and non-Indian musical traditions. Samir performed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway in 2007. He also performed a few times at the United Nations General Assembly. His compositions are widely acclaimed as well as his writings. Samir is a firm believer in the transforming effect of music on the society and all aspects of his work reflects this conviction.
Chatterjee began his studies early with Pandit Bankim Ghosh, Pt. Balaram Mukherjee, Pt. Rathin Dhar and Mohammad Salim. His later formation as a musician occurred under the guidance of Pt. Amalesh Chatterjee (since 1966) and Pt. Shyamal Bose (since 1984). All of Samir's teachers have been from the Farrukhabad Gharana (school) of Tabla-playing, which he now represents.
Samir is rated ‘A’ as an artiste of Indian national radio and television. He can be heard on numerous recordings featuring as soloist, accompanying many of India's greatest musicians and in collaboration with western musicians of outstanding caliber. In concert Samir has accompanied many of India's greatest musicians including Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ud. Vilayat Khan, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Nikhil Banerjee, Pt. V.G. Jog, Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, M. S. Gopalakrishnan, Ud. Amjad Ali Khan, Ud. Salamat Ali Khan, Smt. Lakshmi Shankar, Pt. Manilal Nag, Ud. Ali Ahmed Hussain, Ud. Aashis Khan, Dr. L. Subramanium, U Srinivas, Ud. Naseeruddin Sami, Smt. Veena Sahashrabuddhe, Ud. Shujat Khan, Ud. Saheed Parvez, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, Ud. Nishat Khan, Ud. Rashid Khan, Pt. Tejendra N. Mazumdar, Pt. Debashish Bhattacharya, Smt. Arti Anklekar, Smt. Kaushiki Chakraborty, to name only a few.
Samir Chatterjee lives in the New York-New Jersey area, and has been a catalyst in the fusion of Indian and Non-Indian music, in his own creations and others as well. He performs with Pauline Oliveros, William Parker, Branford Marsalis, Ravi Coltrane, Joshua Bell, Yoko Ono Lenon, David Liebman, Oliver Lake, Dave Douglas, Ned Rothenberg, Mark Dresser, Mark Feldman, Jerome Harris, Eric Friedlander, Steve Gorn, Glen Velez, Boby Sanabria, Jin Hi Kim, Min Xiao-Fen, Dance Theater of Harlem, Boston Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Ethos Percussion group, Da Capo Chamber Orchestra, Boston Musica Viva and other jazz, classical and avant guard musicians and ensembles. He also collaborates with Sufi-Rock singer Salman Ahmad of Junoon from Pakistan. He is the composer and director of Indo-Flame – a blend of Indian and Flamenco dance and music, Chhand-Anand - a world percussion ensemble, RabiThakur – a ballet on the life of Tagore, Meghadootam – a feature program of music and dance on an ancient Indian poem, and Dawn to Dusk and Beyond – on the effect of music on humans and nature. He performs with Sanjay Mishra on his CD "Blue Incantation" featuring Jerry Garcia as guest artist.
Samir Chatterjee has been teaching for the last 35 years and many of his students are established performers. He is the Founder-Director of CHHANDAYAN, an organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Indian music and culture. He has authored a comprehensive 654-page book entitled A Study of Tabla, a guide book to Indian music titled Music of India and Those Forty Days, a journal of an austere practice regimen. He is on the faculty at Manhattan School of Music, University of Pittsburgh and New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. He also taught at the Yale University, Columbia University, New York University and Princeton University, among many other major institutions in the USA, Europe and India. He also contributes to several newspapers and periodicals. He won gold medal for his proficiency in a musical examination and has two Master degrees, in English and History.
Since June 2008 Samir started working relentlessly towards the musical revival of Afghanistan. He made several trips to the country working with different levels of the society and administration and within a very short period of time was able to make a remarkable difference in the cultural life of the country. He is the recipient of several awards such as the Sunshine Award, Jadu Bhatta Award and Acharya Varistha Award.
This was almost painfully reflective music, ending, finally, in an exuberant improvisatory interchange with Samir Chatterjee, whose Tabla playing also seemed less percussive than vocal. – The New York Times, 11/10/94.
The superb tabla player Samir Chatterjee joined the conversation in the second movement, pulsing tribute to the legendary Indian violinist L. Subramanium, and the music kicked into high gear, Kurkowicz’s scurrying violin riding Chatterjee’s intricate drumming over Technicolor splashes from the orchestra. Chatterjee’s solo legerdemain foreshadowed a violin cadenza, improvised by Kurkowicz in a slightly disparate Romantic style; an extended give-and-take between the two enthused soloists anchored the finale, framed by a torrential, exuberant tune up by the entire band, propelled by Chatterjee’s rhythmic authority and Kurkowicz’s energy. – Boston Globe (Matthew Guerrieri), October 22nd, 2007 about Swara Yantra of Shirish Korde performed with Boston Philharmonic
Tabla player Pandit Samir Chatterjee is a walking history book when it comes to Indian music. – WNYC (NPR)
This (‘Phoolan Devi Songs’ with Da Capo Chamber Orchestra at Markin Concert Hall) is a colorful, attractive piece, set on a lush, gaudy bed of amplification, aiming at an entertaining stylistic fusion; ….The highlight was the tabla playing of Samir Chatterjee in the final scene, which stood out from the other instruments with the kind of vivid, exciting performance that draws Western composers to a non-western music in the first place. - Anne Midgette, The New York Times, June 8th, 2006
The remarkable tabla virtuoso Chatterjee's playing is rather unique among tabla artists as his impeccable mastery of rhythm is expressed with a rather vocal-like quality. His tabla speaks the patterns, adding a commentary to the rhythm and interplay with the sitar. A fine collaboration. - Allan Evans, Rhythm September 1996
Chatterjee is a good foil for the sarangi virtuoso, as his drumming works in the service of the raga and of Mishra. There is none of the flashy "bird-in-a-bottle" showboating, which has infected much of contemporary tabla drumming. Mr. Chatterjee's solid support and sense of restraint are to be commended. - Richard Henderson, The Beat
Chatterjee, who can sing and then play back the most complex patterns in the manner of great masters, also senses how to highlight more compact, swing-oriented parts through shifts in accents and dynamics. – The Boston Globe, October 16, 1998
Samir Chatterjee gave detailed and forceful Tabla Lahara (solo) in ‘Jahamptal’. The crispness and clarity of his ‘bol’s and balanced synchronization of ‘Tabla’ (the right- hand drum) and ‘Bayan’ (the left-hand drum) made his recital quite enjoyable. – The Statesman, Calcutta, 08/29/87.
Tabaliya Samir Chatterjee made audibly visible those divisional breaths-in-rhythm that is as much music as music itself. His intimate and broadened stretch of motif accentuation, his extemporizations, richly surrounded the dance figures wrought by Jonathan Hollander. Samir’s rhythmic play acted as a continuous narrative, capable of solemn declamation as well as celebration of the human form and of the life-giving elements of nature. – Sruti, March, 1996.
Displaying consummate control and perfection, the artiste (Samir Chatterjee) enthralled the listeners with a very traditional and systematic exposition of ‘Jhamptaal’. Some of the ‘Quidas’ and ‘Tukre’ (types of compositions) were delectable for their intricacy and close finishing. –The Telegraph, Calcutta, September, 1987.
The concert became more enjoyable due to the high quality of accompaniment of Samir Chatterjee on the tabla. The distinct and defined tone of his bols filled the atmosphere with melody. – Anandabazar Patrika, Calcutta, 03/09/90.
The movement inventions were equally unpredictable. Neil Applebaum traded increasingly complex and spontaneous rhythmic patterns with Samir Chatterjee in “Tabla Tap Talk”. – The Washington Post, 8/17/96.
On Blue Incantation, guitarist Sanjoy Mishra’s compositions reveal an intriguing and ingratiating raga influence, underscored by Samir Chatterjee’s tablas throughout most of the album. Their combined sound during “Bach in Time” (based on J.S. Bach’s gavotte and Rondeau from Lute Suite No.3) is fascinating and quite enchanting. – AUDIO, U.S.A., 1996.
Chatterjee uses the Tabla to add an extra melodic touch, rather than remaining limited to a percussive role. – InPittsburg, 09.09.98
SYNC’s first album 'PORT OF ENTRY' does not at all sound effortfully avantgardistic or experimental - as one might have expected of a musician with Ned Rothenberg's background. Rather than that, the eight tracks come across in an explicitly harmonic and relaxed manner; a merit, which we attribute mainly to Samir Chatterjee, whose Tablas provide a percussive basis of an airy, light-footed quality. Rec'order pages - 22.02.99
“Unusual techniques require unusual technicians”. In SYNC’s PORT OF ENTRY Samir Chatterjee weaves his discreet drumming. It is especially the warm-sounding and intimate Tabla-accompaniment by Chatterjee, which fuses differing concepts of Jazz into one term: openness. From the Northern Indian regions Chatterjee brought along that sound which appeals so religiously, but nevertheless - or maybe just because of that feature - adds remarkable accents to the western-urban-oriented music. Jazzthetik Nr. - 01.02.99
And not enough praise can be given to Samir Chatterjee's tabla playing, which supported almost all of the musical material (many sequences, both musical and choreographic, were dubblings of the tabla). - Theodore Bole, bay Windows 05/04/00
‘Seductive drumming of Samir’. – The Morning Call, Allentown, PA, 05/17/95.
Both the artists were accompanied on the Tabla by Samir Chatterjee, who added color to the entire performance. – Daily Bhaskar, Bhopal, 03/18/81.
The glory of the program's first half was Samir Chatterjee's "Rite Rhythm," composed last year for Ethos and Eric Phinney, who is currently studying with the distinguished Indian Tabla player. The work features percussion from all over the world, including Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and America. ... The work had all four players participate in a complex rhythmic dialogue that remained miraculously comprehensive.
Join a master vocalist for two afternoons of intense study.
September 15th - 16th, 2018 (Saturday and Sunday)
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday
646 281 4062 / classes@tabla.org
Sanjoy Banerjee is one of the finest vocalists of international repute from India and a distinguished exponent of the Kirana Gharana of North Indian Vocal Classical Music. Sanjoyji was a scholar at ITC Sangeet Research Academy under the able guidance of Late Pt. A.T. Kanan and Sangeet Bidushi Late Malabika Kanan, who considered him as their successor to their musical heritage. With his sonorous and unwavering voice he has enthralled audiences at home and abroad, performing extensively in the UK, Germany, Bangladesh, Canada, USA and within India including at Sur Singar, Swai Gandharva, Sangeet Piysi, Ustad Faiz Khan Sangeet Sammelan.
He has received many awards and honors including Surmani Award from Sur Sringar Samsad, Mumbai, National Scholarship from Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India and Junior Fellowship from Department of Culture, Govt of India. In addition, Sanjoy Banerjee is a successful Guru teaching at his own institution - Kolkata Suromurchhana in India, and at Chhandayan Center of Indian Music, New York, producing students who have already earned appreciation.
This event is partially sponsored by the New York Council on the Arts:
Learn how to repair and maintain your harmonium under the tutelage of a master craftsman.
Hailing from a family with a strong cultural background, Nabin Kumar Paul showed interest in Harmonium from his childhood. His first teacher was his grandfather and he started playing the instrument from a tender age of eleven.
After rigorous practice and regular lessons for a couple of years under guidance of Pt. Mani Prasad , he moved on to take lessons from Sri Samir Jana for a few more years.
He is presently attached with many reputed institutions like Gitayan Sangeet Academy,
Bangiyo Sangeet Kalakendra, Parampara School of Music, Purba Sangeet Tirtha etc.
Since 2006 he has been visiting Europe and the United States to share his expertise. He is equally known for his harmonium accompaniment and his craftsmanship. He also accompanied in digital recordings of classical and light classical music.
This event is partially sponsored by the New York Council on the Arts:
Shruti Sadolikar-Katkar is a ‘Top Grade’ artist of Akashwani (All India Radio) and Doordarshan (TV). She was initiated into music and groomed by her father, Pt. Wamanrao Sadolikar, a disciple of Pt. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar and Ustad Alladiya Khan (Founder of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana) and his son Ustad Bhurji Khan. Shrutiji trained for 12 years under Ustad Gullubhai Jasdanwala, renowned for his repository of rare compositions and complex ragas of the Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana. Shrutiji continued to learn from Ustad Bhurji Khan’s son, Ustad Azizuddin Khan, till his demise in August 2011.
Shrutiji is a graduate of Mumbai University. She received the Sangeet Visharad from Akhila Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal with distinction and did her Master’s degree in Music from SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai, with Distinction, winning the Bhaskarbua Bakhale Prize. She is presently the Vice Chancellor of Bhatkhande Music Institute Deemed University, Lucknow. Shruti is a much sought after concert artist and sis well known as a scholar musician.
Shrutiji has received a large number of prizes and awards which include the Raj Hans Puraskar, 2017; ‘Icons of Maharashtra’, Mumbai; the Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan Award, for her contribution to the Education Sector; the Jewel of Ruia Award from her alma mater, the Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai; the Swarayogini Prabha Atre Award, 2013; the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Music, 2011; The Sangeet Shiromani Award by Kashi Sangeet Samaj, Banaras, 2008; The Shanmukha Sangeet Shiromani Award by Shanmukhanand Sangeet Sabha, Mumbai, 2002. Shrutiji was awarded the Gopinath Savkar Prize, Talpade Memorial Prize and Pendharkar Prize for best production, best direction and best music direction for the play ‘Sangeet Tulsidas’ in 2001. She received the prestigious Dagar Gharana Sanman, from the Maharana Mewar Foundation, Udaipur, 1998.
SCHOLARSHIPS
Shrutiji’s achievements include The Bhulabhai Memorial Institute Scholarship, 1975; Kesarbai Kerkar Scholarship (National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai), 1976-78; The Homi Bhabha Fellowship (National Centre for the Performing Arts, Mumbai), 1994-96.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. She has been a visiting professor at the Rotterdam Conservatorium in Netherlands.
2. Shrutiji was a Guru at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata;
3. She was a visiting professor at the Department of Music, SNDT Women’s University, Mumbai;
4. She was a professor at the Department of Music, University of Mumbai.
5. Shrutiji is a guide for many research students for their PhD in Music.
6. She has delivered lecture-demonstrations on various aspects of Indian Classical Music in many schools and universities in India;
7. She has also toured for delivering lectures on music in the UK, USA, Canada, France, Switzerland, Scotland, Germany, Mauritius, UAE, Muscat, Kuwait, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Australia, etc.
8. Shrutiji has and still continues to produce research based thematic programs on various aspects of Indian culture and music.
9. She has been contributing to various research journals and magazines by way of written articles on various subjects regarding Indian Classical Music and Performing Arts.
10. Her educational CD, ‘The Raga Guide’, was produced and marketed by Nimbus Records, UK.
11. She has been recorded by prestigious record companies in and out of India.
12. As a tribute to her father, Shrutiji revived the musical play SANGEET TULSIDAS after 60 years (Pt. Wamanraoji had played the protagonist in the play in 1930).
13. As producer-music director- coordinator, Shrutiji presented the Marathi musical play SANGEET SAMSHAY KALLOL at the WORLD MUSIC THEATRE FESTIVAL in Netherlands, April 1999.
This event is partially sponsored by the New York Council on the Arts:
Join a master vocalist for two afternoons sessions of intense study.
Saturday, May 5th 2018
12:00 - 3:00 pm on Saturday
(646) 281-4062 / classes@tabla.org
Sanjoy Banerjee is one of the finest vocalists of international repute from India and a distinguished exponent of the Kirana Gharana of North Indian Vocal Classical Music. Sanjoyji was a scholar at ITC Sangeet Research Academy under the able guidance of Late Pt. A.T. Kanan and Sangeet Bidushi Late Malabika Kanan, who considered him as their successor to their musical heritage. With his sonorous and unwavering voice he has enthralled audiences at home and abroad, performing extensively in the UK, Germany, Bangladesh, Canada, USA and within India including at Sur Singar, Swai Gandharva, Sangeet Piysi, Ustad Faiz Khan Sangeet Sammelan.
He has received many awards and honors including Surmani Award from Sur Sringar Samsad, Mumbai, National Scholarship from Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India and Junior Fellowship from Department of Culture, Govt of India. In addition, Sanjoy Banerjee is a successful Guru teaching at his own institution - Kolkata Suromurchhana in India, and at Chhandayan Center of Indian Music, New York, producing students who have already earned appreciation.
This event is partially sponsored by the New York Council on the Arts:
Sanghamitra Chatterjee is one of the leading vocalists of India in the fields of light and light classical music. Gifted with a sweet and melodious voice Sanghamitra has chosen light music as her domain; this includes Adhunik (Bengali modern song), Rabindrasangeet(songs of Tagore), Nazrulgeet (songs of Nazrul), songs of Atul Prasad Sen, folk songs, Hindi Bhajans, film songs, Geet, Ghazals, etc..
She had her lessons in classical music from Pdt. Usharanjan Mukherjee and Sri Dashu Mukherjee. In light music her training has been under Sri Jatileshwar Mukherjee, Sri Ajoy Das,Sri Prasanta Chowdhury, Sri Nikhil Chatterjee and others. She is an upgraded artist of All India Radio and Indian Television. Her proficiency in Tagore songs has earned her a diploma, 'Sangit Sudhakar'.
sanghamitra (1).jpg
Sanghamitra's singing is characterized by high aesthetic quality and technical brilliance. She does sensible scanning of the lyric with her original touches of embellishment to it. She adds a new dimension to the emotional contents of the songs through her highly sensitive presentation. Her voice is gifted with a quality that it touches you even before realize it. Much of her musical sensibilities have developed under the guidance of her illustrious husband, Samir Chatterjee, the famous Tabla maestro and musicologist.
Sanghamitra has performed as an individual as well as a group musician with Chhandayan, the Battery Dance Co. of NY, Kathak Ensemble of NY and at important venues like the Smithsonian Institute, Columbia University, American Museum of Natural History both in New York and Washington, Lotus Fine Arts Center, Kansas University,Poland, Bahamas, the whole of India and Sri Lanka. She also has featured in a CD with Jerry Garcia as the guest artist.
In these workshop Sanghamitra will teach Bhajan (devotional song) and Film or Popular Song in Hindi or regional languages. She will also go through some warm-up exercises, particularly beneficial to the songs.
This event is partially sponsored by the New York Council on the Arts:
Learn how to maintain your tabla under the instruction of a skilled instrument maker.
Sunday April 1, 2018
4 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036
1.00pm - 4.00pm
646 281 4062 / classes@tabla.org
Jyotin Rajput is a craftsman of tabla with a very high level of efficiency. He has experience of over four decades, out of which the first two decades were in a reputed store in Mumbai and the later two with Chhandayan Store. He is particularly know for his speed and ability to handle volume.
In this workshop attendees will get basic information on maintaining tabla, along with practical hands-on experience in repair and maintenance. They can bring their own instrument/s to try out some of the basic maintenance jobs under the supervision of Jyotin. A Chhandayan stuff will assist in communication, if needed.
This event is partially sponsored by the New York Council on the Arts:
Join tabla maestro an the founder of Chhandayan for an intense weekend of practice and learning. It is called 'Tabla Ashram' because it is conducted in the same spirit as in a hermitage.
February 16th through February 19th 2018 (Friday to Monday)
4 W 43rd St, New York, NY 10036
Daily three sessions:
9.30 am – 12.30 pm
1.30 – 4.30 pm
5.30 – 7.30 pm
646 281 4062 / classes@tabla.org
Samir Chatterjee
Samir Chatterjee is a virtuoso Tabla player from India. He travels widely across the world throughout the year performing in numerous festivals as a soloist or with other outstanding musicians from both Indian and non-Indian musical traditions. Samir performed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway in 2007. He also performed a few times at the United Nations General Assembly. His compositions are widely acclaimed as well as his writings. Samir is a firm believer in the transforming effect of music on the society and all aspects of his work reflects this conviction.
Chatterjee began his studies early with Pandit Bankim Ghosh, Pt. Balaram Mukherjee, Pt. Rathin Dhar and Mohammad Salim. His later formation as a musician occurred under the guidance of Pt. Amalesh Chatterjee (since 1966) and Pt. Shyamal Bose (since 1984). All of Samir's teachers have been from the Farrukhabad Gharana (school) of Tabla-playing, which he now represents.
Samir is rated ‘A’ as an artiste of Indian national radio and television. He can be heard on numerous recordings featuring as soloist, accompanying many of India's greatest musicians and in collaboration with western musicians of outstanding caliber. In concert Samir has accompanied many of India's greatest musicians including Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ud. Vilayat Khan, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Nikhil Banerjee, Pt. V.G. Jog, Pt . Shivkumar Sharma, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, M. S. Gopalakrishnan, Ud. Amjad Ali Khan, Ud. Salamat Ali Khan, Smt. Lakshmi Shankar, Ud. Aashis Khan, Dr. L. Subramanium, Ud. Shujat Khan, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, Ud. Rashid Khan, Pt. Tejendra N. Mazumdar, Pt. Debashish Bhattacharya, to name only a few.
Samir Chatterjee lives in the New York-New Jersey area, and has been a catalyst in the fusion of Indian and Non-Indian music, in his own creations and others as well. He performs with Pauline Oliveros, William Parker, Branford Marsalis, Ravi Coltrane, Dave Douglas, Steve Gorn, Glen Velez, Boby Sanabria, Ben Verdery, Dance Theater of Harlem, Boston Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Ethos Percussion group, Da Capo Chamber Orchestra, Boston Musica Viva and other jazz, classical and avant guard musicians and ensembles. He is member of jazz trio SYNC with Ned Rothenberg and Jerome Harris and quintet Inner Diaspora together with Mark Feldman and Eric Friedlander. He also collaborates with Sufi-Rock singer Salman Ahmad of Junoon from Pakistan. He is also the composer and director of Indo-Flame and Nacho Nacho - both blends of Indian and Flamenco dance and music, Chhand-Anand - a world percussion ensemble and Dawn to Dusk and Beyond – on the effect of music on humans and nature. He performs with Sanjay Mishra on his CD "Blue Incantation" featuring Jerry Garcia as guest artist.
Samir Chatterjee has been teaching for the last 35 years and many of his students are established performers. He is the Founder-Director of CHHANDAYAN, an organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Indian music and culture. He has authored a comprehensive 654-page book entitled ‘A Study of Tabla’ and a guide book to Indian music titled ‘Music of India’. He is on the faculty at Yale University, Manhattan School of Music, University of Pittsburgh, New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and University of Bridgeport in CT. He also contributes to several newspapers and periodicals. He won gold medal for his proficiency in a musical examination and has two master degrees, in English and History.
Since June, 2008 Samir has been working relentlessly towards the musical revival of Afghanistan. He has made several trips to the country working with different levels of the society and administration and within a very short period of time he has been able to make a remarkable difference in the cultural life of the country.
Join Chhandayan's founder for an intense morning of practice and learning.
Samir Chatterjee
Samir Chatterjee is a virtuoso Tabla player from India. He travels widely across the world throughout the year performing in numerous festivals as a soloist or with other outstanding musicians from both Indian and non-Indian musical traditions. Samir performed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway in 2007. He also performed a few times at the United Nations General Assembly. His compositions are widely acclaimed as well as his writings. Samir is a firm believer in the transforming effect of music on the society and all aspects of his work reflects this conviction.
Chatterjee began his studies early with Pandit Bankim Ghosh, Pt. Balaram Mukherjee, Pt. Rathin Dhar and Mohammad Salim. His later formation as a musician occurred under the guidance of Pt. Amalesh Chatterjee (since 1966) and Pt. Shyamal Bose (since 1984). All of Samir's teachers have been from the Farrukhabad Gharana (school) of Tabla-playing, which he now represents.
Samir is rated ‘A’ as an artiste of Indian national radio and television. He can be heard on numerous recordings featuring as soloist, accompanying many of India's greatest musicians and in collaboration with western musicians of outstanding caliber. In concert Samir has accompanied many of India's greatest musicians including Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ud. Vilayat Khan, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Nikhil Banerjee, Pt. V.G. Jog, Pt . Shivkumar Sharma, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, M. S. Gopalakrishnan, Ud. Amjad Ali Khan, Ud. Salamat Ali Khan, Smt. Lakshmi Shankar, Ud. Aashis Khan, Dr. L. Subramanium, Ud. Shujat Khan, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, Ud. Rashid Khan, Pt. Tejendra N. Mazumdar, Pt. Debashish Bhattacharya, to name only a few.
Samir Chatterjee lives in the New York-New Jersey area, and has been a catalyst in the fusion of Indian and Non-Indian music, in his own creations and others as well. He performs with Pauline Oliveros, William Parker, Branford Marsalis, Ravi Coltrane, Dave Douglas, Steve Gorn, Glen Velez, Boby Sanabria, Ben Verdery, Dance Theater of Harlem, Boston Philharmonic, Minnesota Orchestra, Ethos Percussion group, Da Capo Chamber Orchestra, Boston Musica Viva and other jazz, classical and avant guard musicians and ensembles. He is member of jazz trio SYNC with Ned Rothenberg and Jerome Harris and quintet Inner Diaspora together with Mark Feldman and Eric Friedlander. He also collaborates with Sufi-Rock singer Salman Ahmad of Junoon from Pakistan. He is also the composer and director of Indo-Flame and Nacho Nacho - both blends of Indian and Flamenco dance and music, Chhand-Anand - a world percussion ensemble and Dawn to Dusk and Beyond – on the effect of music on humans and nature. He performs with Sanjay Mishra on his CD "Blue Incantation" featuring Jerry Garcia as guest artist.
Samir Chatterjee has been teaching for the last 35 years and many of his students are established performers. He is the Founder-Director of CHHANDAYAN, an organization dedicated to promoting and preserving Indian music and culture. He has authored a comprehensive 654-page book entitled ‘A Study of Tabla’ and a guide book to Indian music titled ‘Music of India’. He is on the faculty at Yale University, Manhattan School of Music, University of Pittsburgh, New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music and University of Bridgeport in CT. He also contributes to several newspapers and periodicals. He won gold medal for his proficiency in a musical examination and has two master degrees, in English and History.
Since June, 2008 Samir has been working relentlessly towards the musical revival of Afghanistan. He has made several trips to the country working with different levels of the society and administration and within a very short period of time he has been able to make a remarkable difference in the cultural life of the country.
Two integral parts of Indian Classical music are melody and rhythm (taal). While we develop the knowledge of melodies and the grammar of raga, it is just as important to have a thorough understanding and application of rhythm.
This workshop will focus on various rhythmic cycles and the utilization of rhythmic patterns, and exercises that will help improve rhythmic improvisations. It should be beneficial to all music students - both vocal and instrumental.
| Dates: |
| October 14 - 15, 2017 (Saturday, Sunday) |
| Times: |
| 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm both Saturday and Sunday |
| Contact: |
| (646) 281-4062 / classes@tabla.org |
Sanjoy Banerjee
Pt. Sanjoy Banerjee is one of the finest vocalists of international repute from India and a distinguished exponent of the Kirana Gharana of North Indian Vocal Classical Music. Sanjoyji was a scholar at ITC Sangeet Research Academy under the able guidance of Late Pt. A.T. Kanan and Sangeet Bidushi Late Malabika Kanan, who considered him as their successor to their musical heritage. With his sonorous and unwavering voice he has enthralled audiences at home and abroad, performing extensively in the UK, Germany, Bangladesh, Canada, USA and within India including at Sur Singar, Swai Gandharva, Sangeet Piysi, Ustad Faiz Khan Sangeet Sammelan.
He has received many awards and honors including Surmani Award from Sur Sringar Samsad, Mumbai, National Scholarship from Ministry of Human Resource and Development, Government of India and Junior Fellowship from Department of Culture, Govt of India. In addition, Sanjoy Banerjee is a successful Guru teaching at his own institution - Kolkata Suromurchhana in India, and at Chhandayan Center of Indian Music, New York, producing students who have already earned appreciation.
This event is partially sponsored by the New York Council on the Arts:
The famous Carnatic Percussionist Selvaganesh and his son Swaminathan will conduct a 3-session workshop on South Indian Percussion techniques. The first two sessions of this workshop will concentrate on the theory and calculations of the South Indian Konnakol and Korwai forms. The third will concentrate on the use of the Kanjeera and other frame drums for playing Kurwai and other South Indian "grooves".
| Dates: |
| October 13 - 15, 2017 (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) |
| Times: |
| Friday 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm |
| Saturday 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm |
| Sunday 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm |
| Contact: |
| (646) 281-4062 / classes@tabla.org |
Selvaganesh was born in Chennai to Grammy-winner T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram, a legendary musician and also a former member of the original fusion group Shakti. He is also the grandson of Sri T. R. Harihara Sarma, who founded the Sri Jaya Ganesh Tala Vadya Vidyalaya (Sri JGTV school) in Chennai. Selvaganesh had his initial training at his grandfather's school and then under his uncle, Ghatam Vidwan Shri T H Subashchandran, one of the leading musicians in the world of rhythm. Thumping into the musical world at age 10, Selvaganesh has been mesmerizing the audience with his immaculate style and innate creativity. Born into a family of musicians, it is no wonder that rhythm flows in his blood.
Apart from playing authentic Carnatic Music, he has performed in many Fusion, Jazz, Blues, Flamenco, Symphony Orchestra, Celtic Music, Latin Music, DJ Music, World Music, Talavadya (Percussion Ensemble) and Jugalbandhi concerts and has been part of numerous International Music Festivals with renowned Indian Musicians like Dr L Shankar, Dr.L.Subramaniam, Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, He has also worked with many leading music directors in India. He has performed atCarnegie Hall in the US along with Sh T H Vikku Vinayakram and Ustad Zakir Hussain
Selvaganesh gained world fame through tours with John McLaughlin's group Remember Shakti. He helps his father, Grammy-winner T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram, to run the Sri JGTV school and train a new generation of percussionists. He has also composed and produced albums, and played with the Swedish bass virtuoso Jonas Hellborg and American guitar player Shawn Lane. His debut international solo album, Soukha was released in 2006 featuring all other regular members of Remember Shakti including John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, U. Srinivas and Shankar Mahadevan, as well as sitar player Niladri Kumar and Selvaganesh's father T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram. He has also formed a new group called Dr JSM, with the UK-based Goan songwriter/producer Dr.Joel and the young Carnatic singer Mahesh. Their Indo-Celtic album entitled "Turn on the Dreams" was released in the UK in 2005. He performed in the prestigious United Nations day in New York in 2009.
He has composed music for Mira Nair’s movies "Vanity Fair" and"Monsoon Wedding"
While the kanjeera appears to be a simple instrument, in the hands of Selvaganesh, it produces a surprisingly large palette. “He has transformed the sound and identity of his instrument—he makes that thing sound like a huge drum kit—and all the actual playing is done with one hand.”
Swaminathan
Swaminathan is the grandson of Padhmasri T.H.vinayakram and the son of
V. Selvaganesh. Being born in a family devoted
to traditional music, Swaminathan started learning kanjeera when he was
4 years old under the guidance of his grandfather and father. He gave his
first performance in a concert at the age of 12 accompanying his
grandfather.
He started his carreer with “issai mazhalai “ an initiative by Abhaswaram
RAMJI, who gave opportunities for young talents to showcase their
expertise.
He takes pride in playing alongside his grandfather “Vikku ji” in tours around the globe. Vikku ji introduced him into world fusion group “MYNTA”.
His father Shri V Selvaganesh and Swaminathan started doing duo
concerts and the very first performance with both of them together was
held at Goa festival of music in “KALA ACADAMEY” which was
followed by several musical tours in India.
Along with his musical friends and his uncle “V. Umashankar”, he played
during the Chennai super kings’ match held at chennai . And he also
performed in zee TV’s “saregamapa’ and many television shows.
Swaminathan had a opportunity to share the stage with legends like Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Balamurali Krishna, Ustad Zakir Hhussain. When his grandfather Vikku-ji started the group named “3G”, he joined his father V. Selvaganesh so three generations of percussionists shared the stage.
This event is partially sponsored by the New York Council on the Arts:
Daniel Weiss will conduct a workshop on the drum-set to the benefit of those who would like to learn and explore more about he xceptional technique and approach that has developed and exemplified n western drumming ver the past decade. To describe Dan's technique simply as 'Extended Technique' would be minimizing the significance of the evolution he has initiated; it would be an oversight to all of the number of hours he as spent in translating some of the most beautiful repertoire of tabla on to the drum set. While most of the non-Indian musicians take to South Indian (Carnatic) rhythmic system to satisfy their Indian inclination, Dan chose tabla - with all its splendor of tonal and poetic beauty, transforming rhythmic complexity into a high level of aesthetic quality.
Dan Weiss has been hailed as one of the top five jazz drummers in The New York Times, and his large ensemble recording “Fourteen” made the top ten list of their best recordings of 2014. Weiss’s innovative drumming and forward thinking compositions have been pushing musical limits for years. He has been studying tabla under his guru Pandit Samir Chatterjee for twenty years. He currently lives in Brooklyn where he continues to perform, tour, teach while continuing his study of tabla, Hindustani vocal, and classical piano.
This event is partially sponsored by the New York Council on the Arts:
Two Sessions - 11AM - 1PM on Saturday and Sunday
Our facilities are wheelchair accessible.
This workshop will focus on how vocalists can successfully present the emotional quality of raga as well as use laya an rhythm creatively.
Hindustani classical vocal studies with Pandit Sanjoy Banerjee are both rigorous and engaging. Dedicated students gain a solid foundation in the Kirana tradition (gharana) of pure-classical raga presentation (khayal) as well as light-classical songs while becoming versed in the elements that give rise to the vibrant and ancient tradition of Hindustani classical music. Sanjoy ji’s deep knowledge provides the opportunity for life-long learning for the most ambitious students as well as those for whom Hindustani music is an avocation. Sanjoy ji was a Scholar at the prestigious ITC Sangeet Research Academy and was designated by his distinguished gurus – the Late Pt. A. Kanan and the Late Sangeet Bidushi Malabika Kanan – as a worthy successor to their lineage.
During his teaching season in New York City Sanjoy ji will be accompanied by his senior disciple Namami Karmakar, who is regarded as one of the finest vocalists among the younger generation of the Kirana Gharana. She had her initial training under Smt. Malini Mukherjee Bhowmick then began learning under the Late A Kanan and the Late Sangeet Bidushi Malabika Kanan before continuing training under their senior disciple Sanjoy ji. At present she is a faculty member at Kolkata Suromurchhana imparting guidance to students in Kolkata, India and internationally. She has a master degree in classical vocal music from the prestigious Rabindra Bharati University.
This workshop is partially sponsored by:
Chhandayan would like to invite you to explore the intricacies of Carnatic Rhythm in a two session workshop with two master percussionists: T.H. (Vikku) Vinayakram and his son Selvaganesh.
Session 1: Friday April 21, 2017 6PM-9PM
Session 2: Saturday April 22, 2017 1PM-4PM
Tickets may be purchased for one or both sessions.
Shri Thethakudi Hanhara Vinayakram (famously known as Vikku Vinayakram) is a world renowned Indian percussionist who is credited with popularizing the ghatam. It is his single-hannded effort that led to the ghatam, an instrument which was seldom given importance in Indian percussion, being now featured in world music.
Shri Vinayakram was born 11 August, 1942 in Thiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, to Shri Thethakudi Harihara Sarma and Smt. Neelambal. His father, a well-known percussionist himself, was his first guru. After learning from his father for one year, he gave his first public performance at the tender age of 13 in Shri Dakshinamurthy temple, Chennai. His reputation increased when he accompanied the likes of Shri Ariaykudi Ramanuja Iyengar, Shri Semmangudi Srinivase Iyer, Flut Mali Dr. Balamuralikrishna, and Shri Chembai Vaidhyanadha Bhagavathar. He also played with great percussionists like Shri Palakkad Mani Iyer and Shri Palani Subramaniya Pillai. In the cine field he has played for Shri M.K. Thyagaraja Bhagavather and Shri T.R. Mahalingam. He has also worked with legendary music directors like G. Ramanathan, C.N. Pandurangan, K.V. Mahdevan, M.S. Viswanathan, Illayarajaand A.R. Rahman.
Shri Vinayakram's first overseas performance was in 1966 when he accompanied Bharat Ratna Smt. M.S. subbulakshmi in the unforgettable concert at the United Nations Organization in New York. Since then he has toured widely across Europe, America, the Middle East and Asia. He has also undertaken a musical tour under the auspices of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Sangeeth Natak Academy.
In 1974, he was invited as a gust lecturer to teach music at the Centre for World Music in Berkeley California. In the 1970s, he joined Shakti, a group which combined elements of traditional Indian music with jazz. The band consisted of English guitarist John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain (tabla), and L.Shankar (violin). It merged Indian music with western music and entralled music lovers everywhere. He also represented Indian in Planet Drum, an album created by Mickey Hart to show rhythm from a variety of musical genres.
Shri Vinaykram is serving as the pricipal of a percussion school, Shri Jaya Ganesh Tala Vadhya Vidhyalaya, Triplicane, Chennai. It was founde by his father Shri Harihara Sarma. This school teaches percussion free to enthusiasts and under-privileged students. Many accomplished artists like Karaikudi Mani and Ghatam Sukanya Ramgopal have attended this school. Shri Vianyakram himself was a student.
Spanning six decades of service to Indian music, Shri Vinayakram is the only musician to have received awardsfrom four different Presidents of India - Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Hon. R. Venkatraman, Hon K.R. Narayanan, and Hon. Pranab Mukherjee. The Sangeetha Natak Academy conferred a fellowship award on him and he was awarded the prestigious Padmashree in 2002.
He is the recipient of many awards and titles, some of which are the Ghatam Nada Mani award from the Kanchi Samigal Kalamamani by the government of Tamil Nadu, a Grammy Award from the USA (the first and only winner for South Indian classical music) the Sangeetha Natak Academy Award recognizing Ghatam, the Ustad Amjad Ali Khan award and the Tala Ratna award by Zakir Hussain.
Early life and background
Selvaganesh was born in Chennai to Grammy-winner T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram, a legendary musician and also a former member of the original Shakti. He is also the grandson of Sri T. R. Harihara Sarma, who founded the Sri Jaya Ganesh Tala Vadya Vidyalaya (Sri JGTV school) in Chennai. Selvaganesh had his initial training at his grandfathers school and then under his uncle, Ghatam Vidwan Shri T H Subashchandran. one of the leading musicians in the world of rhythm. Thumping into the musical world at an age as tender as 10, Selvaganesh has been mesmerizing the audience with his immaculate style and innate creativity. Selvaganesh is one of the leading musicians in the world of rhythm. He has been mesmerizing the audience with his immaculate style and innate creativity. Born into a family of musicians, it is no wonder that rhythm flows in his blood, which remains inseparable
Selvaganesh’s tryst with the international music platform came in the early 90s in Masters of Percussion along with his Zakir’s father Ustad Alla Rakha and late 90's when he joined Shakti to play along with John McLaughlin and Zakir Hussain. The showman that he is, his long hair and nimble fingers had Shakti catapult to fame.
Apart from playing authentic Carnatic Music, he has performed in many Fusion, Jazz, Blues, Flamenco, Symphony Orchestra, Celtic Music, Latin Music, DJ Music, World Music, Talavadya (Percussion Ensemble) and Jugalbandhi concerts and has been part of numerous International Music Festivals with renowned Indian Musicians like Dr L Shankar, Dr.L.Subramaniam, Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, He has also worked with many leading music directors in India.
He has performed at the prestigious Venue – Carnegie Hall in the US along with Sh T H Vikku Vinayakram and Ustad Zakir Hussain
Biography
He was a child prodigy, with his concert career beginning at the age of 10. He established his right to be on the stage by playing with such dexterity that he was soon accompanying many famous vocalists in Carnatic music at the time, including Mangalampalli Balamuralikrishna, , M. S. Subbulakshmi and others.
Career
Selvaganesh gained world fame through tours with John McLaughlin's group Remember Shakti. He helps his father, Grammy-winner T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram, to run the Sri JGTV school and train a new generation of percussionists. He has also composed and produced albums, and played with the Swedish bass virtuoso Jonas Hellborg and American guitar player Shawn Lane.
His debut international solo album, Soukha was released in 2006 featuring all other regular members of Remember Shakti including John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, U. Srinivas and Shankar Mahadevan, as well as sitar player Niladri Kumar and Selvaganesh's father T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram. He has also formed a new group called dr JSM, with the UK-based Goan songwriter/producer dr.Joel and the young Carnatic singer Mahesh. Their Indo-Celtic album entitled Turn on the dreams was released in the UK in 2005. He performed in the Prestigious United Nations day in New York in 2009.
He has composed Rythm for Mira Nair’s movies Vanity Fair and the Monsoon Wedding
While the kanjeera appears to be a simple instrument, in the hands of Selvaganesh, it produces a surprisingly large palette. “He has transformed the sound and identity of his instrument—he makes that thing sound like a huge drum kit—and all the actual playing is done with one hand.”
It is somehow fitting that the oldest instrument in the band is responsible for creating an almost techno vibe; the constant bell-like jangle of the kanjeera brings to mind the warp-speed jungle-groove of drum-and-bass music.
His latest venture is in the field of Indian Film Music. His debut music for a regional language film “Vennila Kabadi Kuzhu” is already a super hit. He has composed for a few more and had got a name for himself. Adding feather to the cap is his Filmi work in the Telugu Movie industry as well, wherein his first movie was a musical hit and is in the process of composing a few more.
This event is partially sponsored by the:
Chhandayan is proud to announce a collaboration with the Vinayakram School of South Indian Rhythm, USA that will be inaugurated with a South Indian Workshop/Master Class/Performance at the Chhandayan Center. The workshop will be led by T.H. "Vikku" Vinayakram, the famous master of the ghatam, along with his son V. Selvaganesh and several other members of T.H. Vinayakram's family.
Rhythm has always been a quintessential facet of Carnatic music, and in the modern generation of percussionists, perhaps no other individual has mastered the intricacies and the laya endowments of the ghatam to such a great degree as Sri Thetakudi Harihara Vinayakram. T.H. Vinayakram, affectionately known as Vikku, has transformed himself into an international celebrity with his imaginative and beautiful drumming on the ghatam.
Well known as a Carnatic artiste, Vikku came to international prominence as part of the famous fusion group Shakti, and went on to participate in many other international fusion music projects.
Selvaganesh Vinyakaram is the world’s premiere performer on the kanjira, the South Indian frame drum. The T.H. Vinayakram, he is also a veteran of the fusion group 'Remember Shakti' with John McLaughlin. His solo album Soukha (2006) featured all of the members of Remember Shakti, as well as his father and Masters of Percussion sitarist Niladri Kumar.
Selvaganesh is also a major force in Tamil film making circles, composing songs in a beguiling mixture of genres, from folk to hip-hop to romantic ballads, and backed by a wide array of players from all over the world.
Selvaganesh gave a workshop at Chhandayan earlier this year, where he demonstrated South Indian concepts and performed a duet with Samir Chatterjee.
4 W 43rd St, #618, New York, NY 10036
