A musical celebration with doyens
A galaxy of eminent musicians including Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, among others became part of the celebration
ITC Sangeet Research Academy celebrated its 40th Anniversary with the ITC Sangeet Sammelan at the academy's lawns in Tollygunge from February 1 – 3, 2019.
A galaxy of eminent musicians including Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, Pandit Kumar Bose, Pandit Uday Bhawalkar, Pandit Partha Chatterjee, Ustad Rashid Khan, among others became part of the celebration.
In line with its rich tradition heralded since the first ITC Sangeet Sammelan, this year's Sammelan also presented young talent along with the stalwarts of Hindustani Classical Music.
Pandit Arvind Parikh, a trustee of the Academy, President of the Indian Musicological Society, and Head of the Western Region of the ITC Sangeet Research Academy inaugurated the event by lighting lamp.
Speaking on the occasion, B B Chatterjee, Executive Director, ITC Sangeet Research Academy said, "It is primarily due to the unflinching support of music lovers of Kolkata, dedication of the gurus, perseverance of musician tutors and scholars as well as the rich cultural tradition of Kolkata – which has helped the institution to rise at a pinnacle of fame and appreciation across the globe. It is a matter of great pride for all of us to celebrate this momentous milestone of 40 years of the ITC Sangeet Research Academy, a one-of-its-kind institution that embodies sustained corporate commitment to a priceless national heritage."
Apart from the ITC SRA's endeavour to establish a modern 'Gurukul' and revive the traditional 'Guru-Shishya Parampara' which has made a meaningful contribution through successfully blending the purity of India's traditional teaching methods with scientific research and technology, it has also propagated music across the country through recitals, sammelans and Wednesday baithaks.
Needless to say, the Gurus of the Academy are among the finest musicians in our country. Pandit A Kanan, Ustad Nisar Hussain Khan, Vidushi Hirabai Barodekar, Ustad Ishtiaq Hussain Khan, Pandit Nivruttibua Sarnaik, Vidushi Girija Devi, Vidushi Malabika Kanan, Latafat Hussain Khan among many others are the luminaries in the world of Hindustani Classical Music who identified themselves with the cause of the academy and became its part to help create an institution embodying the Guru-Shishya Parampara
The institution is now recognised as the finest repository of Hindustani Classical Music. Besides, the Academy has also expanded its horizons and included the Carnatic genre as well as the rich heritage of folk music which Bengal is proud of.
The ITC Sangeet Sammelan provides a unique platform for the Academy to recognise the contribution of our country's greatest musicians by conferring an award - 'ITC Sangeet Samman'. In the past, the award has been presented to musicians of the stature of Pandit Dinkar Kaikini, Vidwan L Subramaniam, Pandit Swapan Choudhury, Vidushi N Rajam and Pandit Venkatesh Kumar. And, this year the ITC Sangeet Samman was given to Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma.
