Subhajyoti Guha is leading a group of talented musicians on a tour of the U.S. His group features exponents of instrumental and dance music.
Subhajyoti Guha - Tabla
Sri Subhajyoti Guha, a highly talented young tabla player from Kolkata, India, and is one of the NEW GENRE of tabla exponents who are taking this world pleasing North Indian percussion instrument to greater heights in the 21st century.
Coming from an educated and musical family, Subhajyoti was introduced to tabla at an early age of five by his father Dr. Smriti Ranjan Guha, a disciple of late Ustad Keramatullah Khan of Farukkabad Gharana. Few years later the internationally acclaimed tabla maestro and trainer Pandit Sankha Chatterjee, also a disciple of late Ustad Keramatullah Khan and late Ustad Allarakha Khan of Punjab Gharana, took Subhajyoti under his tutorship and Subhajyoti has been the disciple of Pandit Chatterjee since then.
Subhajyoti's intense dedication and love for his art has won him quite a few laurels. Namely, THE PRESIDENT'S AWARD from ALL INDIA RADIO in 1989, THE DOVER LANE TALENT SEARCH AWARD in 1990-91, THE HIRENDRA KUMAR GANGULY AWARD , from WEST BENGAL STATE ACADEMY OF PERFORMING ARTS, in 1993, TAAL MANI AWARD from SUR SRINGAR SAMSAD of mumbai in 1996, degree of SANGEET VISHARAD from PRACHEEN KALA KENDRA of CHANDIGARH in 1997 and JADU BHATTA AWARD from SALT LAKE CULTURAL ASSOCIATION in 2007. At present he is a grade 'A' tabla player of All India Radio & T.V.
Subhajyoti's first public performance was in 1992 at PARAMPARA - a prestigious festival of Indian Music, in Berlin, Germany with his Guruji Pandit Sankha Chatterjee, where he enthralled his audience by his solo performance. Since then he has never looked back as a performer and is performing regularly in India and also abroad in USA, Canada and Europe both as a soloist and an accompanist. Subhajyoti has rendered his musical accompaniment to various young and senior leading musicians of India .To name a few Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta, Pandit Manilal Nag, Pandit Ram Narayan, Ustad Aashish Khan, Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, Ustad Shahid Parvez, Ustad Irshad Khan, Vidushi Purnima Chaudhuri, and many others. Through these performances Subhajyoti has won the hearts of his listeners and his talent has also been acknowledgement by maestros like Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.
Along with his music, Subhajyoti has also excelled in academics by obtaining an M.Sc. degree in Applied Mathematics from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. However, he has infused all his academic education for fulfilling his mission of preaching Indian Classical Music.
Alokparna Guha - Kathak Dance
Alokparna Guha is a well-known name in Kathak Dance, a classical dance form from northern India. Her initial training was from Sri Pradipto Niyogi, which was followed up with advanced guidance from Dr. Malabika Mitra.
Alokparna is a gold medalist from Rabindra Bharati Society. She is also an empaneled artist of Kolkata Doordarshan (Calcutta TV), Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre and Indian Council for Cultural Relations. Alokparna received the prestigious Jadubhatta award from Salt Lake Cultural Association, Nritya Praveen awards from Prayag Sangeet Samity of Allahabad and Honorary citizenship from The Mayor of Memphis, USA.
For the past 22 years Alokparna has been performing extensively in India and abroad. She has won the appreciation and patronage from connoisseurs of Indian dance in festivals like Konark Dance Festival, Dover lane Dance Festival, Uday Shankar Dance Festival, Kathak Mahotsav by Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, Sangèt Natak Academy, Lalit Kala Academy, Kalaprakash, Benaras, Prayag Sangèt Sammelan, Allahabad, Prabaha Dance Festival, Mysore, Uttarpara Sangèt Sammelan, to name a few.
Ms. Guha has toured and performed in several countries including the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, Canada and the USA. Some of her notable performances abroad were at the Nehru Centre in London, Festival Le Dance in Barcelona, Harbour front Centre in Toronto and at the Folly Bowl Theatre in Los Angeles.
Alokparna directs a Kathak Group and institute named Pushpak, which performs all over India in major Dance Festivals. Pushpak's Dance and Dance Theatre production are widely accepted.
With a Master's in English literature Alokparna has infused all her education and concentration on performance, innovation and propagation of Kathak Dance.
Pankaj Mishra - Sarangi
For an Indian classical musician, there is no greater blessing than to be born into a great lineage. Being the great grandson of Sarangi virtuoso late Pandit Saraju Prasad Mishra, Grandson of late Pandit Mahadeo Prasad Mishra, and Son of Shri Satya Narayan Mishra, Pankaj was bestowed that great opportunity. He was trained from an early age by the renowned Sarangi player of the famous Banaras Gharana, late Pandit Mahesh Prasad Mishra. Pankaj Mishra has received the mantle of his musical forebears with the greatest respect and humility whilst working diligently to earn the reputation of an accomplished representative of an impressive and unique musical family. At a very young age Pankaj created a style of his own confirming him of a bright, promising future.
Pankaj is an "A" grade Sarangi Player at All India Radio & Television, Kokata.
From an early age he performed as an accompanying and solo artist at Festivals in India. He also has toured Europe and the U.S.A and performed at prestigious festivals and institutions. Pankaj now regularly tours Europe, North America, and Asia, as well as the Indian subcontinent. He is also a regular Accompanist to music in Films, and Television in India and Hollywood.
In 2002, he established a school for Indian Classical Music in Germany where he visits to teach and perform regularly.
He was awarded the First Position in Sarangi playing from the State Music Academy of West Bengal. His unique style of playing and interpretation is admired and sought after by a wide range of professionals from venerable Indian masters to luminary world musicians. He is sought after as an accompanist for all aspects of Hindustani music.
Pankaj is well known for his accompaniment of Great Tabla Maestros, such as:
Late Pt. Shyamal Bose, Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri, Pt. Aninda Chatterjee, Pt. Sankha Chatterjee, Pt.Kumar Bose,Ustad Tari Khan, Ustad Sabir Khan, Pt.Samir Chatterjee, Pt.Subhankar Banerjee
He also has performed with Great Vocal Maestros, such as:
Vidushi Girija Devi, Late Vidushi Purnima Chaudhury, Ustad Raza Ali Khan, Pt. Dinanath Mishra, the Ghazal King Gulam Ali, Ustad Mahmood Sabri of the Great Sabri Brothers of Pakistan.
He is also a sought-after accompanist for Dance. He has performed with:
Pt. Birju Maharaj (The Kathak Exponent) Pt. Chitres Das, Pt. Rammohon Maharaj, Pt. Vijay Shankar. Pankaj has also performed in Akashwani Sangeet Sammelan 2007 in Dibrugarh - ASAM.
Hindol Chattopadhyay - Sitar
Born in a music-loving family,Hindol Chattopadhyay was initially groomed under his mother,Smt. Bharati Devi(Vocalist) and uncle Sri Susanta Chattopadhyay, disciple of Pt. Monilal Nag; later he received his extensive training from Pt. Amar Karmakar (disciple of late Ustad Vilayat Khan Saheb); Hindol also received his vocal talims from Pt. Kalyan Bose and from Late Pandit Nidan Bandhu Bandopadhyay. Hindol has received his Sangeet Visharad degree from Pracheen Kalakendra, Chandigarh. Hindol has been performing in All India Radio,Kolkata since his childhood and his CDs are also frequently played on the AIR FM channels.
Hindol Chattopadhyay is considered one of the most engaging, intelligent and talented instrumentalists in contemporary Hindustani music. The qualities which he conjures up on the sitar with such ease, have so far earned him an international reputation of considerable distinction. His recognition as a major artist is firmly grounded in his deep understanding of the classical style.His masterly conception of the grand design and architecture of the raga has enabled him to innovate with in the instrumental form, and this is especially evident in his creative approach to inventing new ragas. All these promises that Hindol has a bright and illustrious musical future, and Hindustani Music has a very worthy artist to nurture and carry on its illustrious tradition.
Hindol created new ragas, Pitambari and Ashrusinchan, which were approved and introduced in Indian Classical music. Raga Pitambari was broadcasted by Surtarang, HF FRSA Wolverhampton/London on 12 September, 2012 Worldwide. Recognition of Chattopadhyay’s skills as an inventor of new ragas is a rare quality endowed among very few exponents of the genre came from Surtarang,Wolverhampton,London and from the Late Pt. Ravishankar.
Hindol has had extensive performance experience over the last two decades. As a soloist he has performed in USA and Canada. His first tour in the USA was in 2013. He performed with Carnatic musicians all over the USA. In India, he has beens invited to perform in many prestigious festivals.
Hindol also teaches music
• He is the honorary lecturer of Gandhar Pancham Institute.
• He also gives his valuable training via Skype.
• Many advanced level students come to take advice on appropriate Ragdaris.
• He imparts free classical sitar training to children of the less privileged sections of the society.
He has released several CDs, namely “DAWN TO DUSK” and “FLAVOUR OF RAGAS” from Bihaan Music and they are available in every musical stores and Bihaan Music website.
Sandip Chatterjee - Santoor
Sandip Chatterjee, a disciple of Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya and vocal maestro Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, is an accomplished Santoor player of the current generation. He has been heralded as the torch bearer of both the Maihar and Pattala gharanas.
With his magical strokes over strings, he makes his unique melody speak. A deep rooted musical exploration has helped him develop a unique and dynamic technique to playing his instrument, where he uses his left hand to lift the strings (Plucking Chikari) to play the Alap, Jod Jhalla, part of bandish (Gat) thereby creating an ineffable resonance.
Sandip has been extensively performing in many music festivals and concerts all around the globe. And, he has also collaborated with many overseas musicians across genres such as Jazz, Rock, Contemporary,Fusion and World Music .
His collaborations in ‘Calcutta Express’ with famous Jazz Guitarist Guy Strazz; ‘Shanti’ with famous Saxophonist Claudio Gigilio and afro-Cuban percussionist Fulvio Farkas; ‘Emotion’ with Swedish Jazz saxophonist Elin Larsson; ‘Feelings’ with contemporary guitar player Giuliano Modarelli have been very much acclaimed in Jazz & contemporary world music genre. The collaboration ‘Calcutta Express’ has been nominated as finalist in the Indo Acoustic Project’s “Best CD’s of 2006” award in the World Music category.
The musical talent and virtuosity exhibited by Sandip over the years have been noted through his albums which range upto 21 in number. His expertise has also been utilised by renowned music directors like A.R.Rehman, Jatin Lalit, Gulshan Kumar, Rabindra Jain, Pt.V.Balsara etc.
His ethnic aesthetics had also won him many awards and laurels such as, “President of India Award”, “Jadubhatta Award”, “Sangeeth Ratna Award”, “ Abhinaba Kala Sanman” etc.
Through his dauntless efforts he is still trying to create a magic spell by letting his music reverberate and keeping the music lovers enthralled.
Soumyajyoti Ghosh - Bansuri (Flute)
From the distant antiquity, it is the overwhelming tune of Lord Krishna’s ‘Bansuri’ which have enchanted the whole creation for years to come. The musical instrument ‘Bansuri’ or flute, modifying the ‘fourth one’ of the five basic elements of nature or ‘Panchabhut’ is one of the most popular instruments due to its melodious simplicity. Among the very few flutists of recent times who have come to conquer innumerable musical hearts, Soumyajyoti is a name who had started his melodious journey at the very tender age of only twelve years under the able guidance of Sri Sudip Chatterjee, a senior staff artist of the All India Radio.
In course of his musical journey, Soumyajyoti had come in touch with many artiststs and musicians who have guided him in one or the other way. Some name whose guidance and co-operation are should be emphasized are Pt. Debaprasad Banerjee, Sri Debapratim Roy and Dr. Rajib Chakraborty
Then came the dawn in Soumyajyoti’s life, when his musical horizon got illuminated by the celestial light of Guru ’Pandit Ronu Majumdar’, the flute Maestro of the famous ‘Maihar’ Gharana, whose affectionate blessings shower on him abundantly till date. Being a disciple of Pandit Ronu Majumdar, Soumyajyoti continues to pursue his tireless musical quest.
Soumyajyoti selected in the ‘All India Radio Talent Contest’ at the age of fifteen. Later he had upgraded himself as a B-high artist of the All India Radio. He has performed in the ‘Bird’s eye Jazz Club’ in Switzerland and ‘Rijeka Jazz Festival ’in Croatia. Melody of his flute has also filled up the air of several countries with fragrance, among which Germany, Slovenia, Austria, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, UAE, Kuwait, Bangladesh are to be mentioned.
He is also fortunate enough to accompany the Maestros like Pandit Birju Maharaj, Pandit Chitresh Das, Ustad Ghulam Ali, Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya and Pandit Bikram Ghosh.
Itinerary & Schedule for Subhajyoti Guha and group
Chhandayan is very pleased to invite Mr. Subhajyoti Guha and his group to teach Indian classical music and dance in classes and workshops as part of Chhandayan faculty and perform in concerts organized and presented by Chhandayan as well as other organizations in the United States of America. Their schedule during the stay will be as follows:
Regular Classes
Mr. Guha and his group will be teaching Hindustani classical music and dance at the Chhandayan Center for Indian Music (CCIM), 4 West 43rd Street, #614, New York, NY 10036 as per the following schedule:
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays: Weekly group classes from 6 to 9 pm; private lessons between 1 and 5.30 pm.
They will also teach monthly classes at the following Chhandayan centers for Indian Music (CCIM):
First Saturday of every month:
CCIM, 1112 Candle Light Ln, Potomac, MD 20854
Second Saturday of every month:
CCIM, 51 Union Avenue, Nutley, NJ 07110
Third Saturday of every month:
CCIM, 1080 Rural Ridge Dr., Cheswick, PA 15024
Through a collaborative outreach program, Mr. Subhajyoti Guha and his group will be teaching Indian classical music and dance every Monday at the
Lotus Music and Dance School, 262 W. 38th Street, # 1006, New York, NY 10018
Workshops
Mr. Guha and his group will be conducting intensive workshops on Indian classical music and dance at CCIM, NYC on the following dates:
October 18, 2020 – 10 am to 5 pm
December 13, 2020 – 10 am to 5 pm
February 14, 2021 – 10 am to 5 pm
May 16, 2021 – 10 am to 5 pm
August 8, 2021 – 10 am to 5 pm
October 10, 2021 – 10 am to 5 pm
These workshops are for serious and advanced students of music and dance. There will also be prominent Jazz musicians and Tap and Flamenco dancers attending these workshops to understand several aspects of the rhythmic and melodic elements in Indian music and dance. There will also be workshops that will be for novices and newly initiated audience and spectators of Indian music and dance, to interactively participate and understand the nuances of the music and dance in order to enhance their appreciation of the forms of expression.
Concert Performances
October 17th, 2020
Welcome Concert at Chhandayan Center for Indian Music, New York
October 24, 2020
Sur Bahar by Marathi Vishwa, Laurence Harbor, NJ
November 21, 2020
Chhandayan Annual Gala, CCIM, NYC
December 19, 2020
Chhandayan Pittsburgh, PA Center, 1080 Rural Ridge Drive, Cheswick, PA
February 20, 2021
Indian Music Society, Houston, TX
March 13, 2021
India Community Center, Rochester, NY
April 10, 2021
Indian Music Circle, Los Angeles, CA
May 1, 2021
Multiplicity at Cornelia Street Café, NYC
May 29, 2021
Chhandayan Annual Students’ Day
Chhandayan, NYC
June 26, 2021
Ali Akbar College of Music, San Rafael, CA
August 14, 2021
The Maverick, Woodstock, New York
August 15, 2021
Indian Independence Day Celebration,
Potomac Community Center, Potomac, MD
September 18, 2021
Kashinath Bodas Festival, Phoenix, AZ
September 25, 2021
Alvin Alley, New York
October 9, 2021
Farewell Concert
Chhandayan Center for Indian Music, NYC
This itinerary is subject to changes as new concerts and workshops continue to get added to the above schedule.