Sandip Chatterjee

Sandip Chatterjee, a disciple of Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya and vocal maestro Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, is a rich and accomplished Santoor player of our time. He has been heralded as the torch bearer of two Gharanas at the same time – Maihar and Patiala.

Sandip was accepted as a pupil by the eminent Santoor player Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya in the year 1980. He is taking taleem of Ragadari and Layakari from vocal maestro Pandit Ajay Chakraborty for the last five years. After a formal talim in pursuit of Proficiency of the highest order in Raga, Taal and laya, Sandip, an honours graduate in commerce from Calcutta university and a budding cost accountant, has been consolidating his knowledge with emotion, dedication and creativity, under the able guidance of his guru.

The musical talent and virtuosity exhibited by Sandip over the years have been noted through his albums which range up to 21 in number. His expertise has also been utilized by renowned music directors like A.R.Rahaman, Jatin Lalit, Gulsan 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.

Pandit Ramdas Palsule

Ramdas Palsule is a popular name amongst Indian Classical Music enthusiasts and has carved a niche for himself since a very young age.

He was introduced to Tabla by Pt. G.L. Samant. Later, he became the disciple of world-famous Tabla Maestro Taalyogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar.

As a solo artist, Ramdas developed his own style of presenting traditional compositions with a new perspective and fresh thought-process. As his Guru says, “Innovation without the foundation of Tradition becomes superficial and Tradition – without Innovation – becomes outdated.” Ramdas mastered the craft of “Jod-Taal” and “Jaati-Bhed” to acquire unparalleled expertise in these.

Doyens like Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki, Pt. Jasraj, Vidushi Prabha Atre, Vidwan M. Balamuralikrishna, Pt. Shivkumar Sharma, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasiya, Pr. Ram Narayan, Pt. Birju Maharaj and many more trusted him as an able accompanist for their performances the world over.

He has enthralled audiences with his enchanting solo performances as well as accompaniments at prestigious concerts like The Sawai Gandharva Sangeet Mahotsav (Pune), Saptak Festival (Ahmedabad), All India Radio, and SPICMACAY, Isha Foundation’s Yaksha 2020, Dussehra Festival (Mysuru), All Bengal Festival (Kolkata), Tansen Mahotsav (Gwalior), Kalidas Festival (Ujjain), Pt. Abhisheki Mahotsav (Goa) and many more.

Nirmala Rajasekar

Nirmala Rajasekar is a world renowned Carnatic veena virtuoso and educator of South Indian Music. She has performed in venues throughout the world and is a recipient of many awards including a Bush artistic fellowship, a McKnight fellowship, Rotary Vocational Excellence award and Best Senior Veena Artiste. She is known for her talents in exploring South Indian Classical (Carnatic) to create collaborative projects with other music traditions including western classical and jazz.

Nirmala Rajasekar began her training in Veena at age 6 in Chennai from well known practitioners such as Sri Deva Kottai Narayana Iyengar and Smt. Kamala Aswathama. After moving to Bangalore, she learned at the Gana Mandira School in Basavangudi Smt. G Chennama and Smt. E. P. Alamelu.

Nirmala has performed in many world renowned venues such as the United Nations and Carnegie Hall, New York City, USA; Ted Mann concert Hall, Minneapolis, MN; Walker Arts Center, Minneapolis, MN; BBC, London, England; Kongresshaus, Zurich, Switzerland; Musee Rietberg, Zurich, Switzerland; Bali, Indonesia; Music Academy, Chennai, India; Narada Gana Sabha, Chennai, India; Chembur Fine Arts, Mumbai, India; Bangalore Gayana Samaja, India and the Ravindra Kalakshethra, Bangalore, India.

Web: Nirmala rajasekar

Tanjore K Murugaboopathi

Tanjore K. Murugaboopathi is one of the topmost mridangam players of today. He had his initial training under Mridanga Vidwan, T.R. Srinivasan at Tamil Nadu Music College Chennai. After about two years of stage experience, he underwent further training in the gurukula tradition under the Late Mridangam Maestro Tanjore Upendran for over 10 years.

Murugaboopathi’s percussion career has been a colorful spectrum of accompaniment to a legion of reputable virtuosos in Carnatic Vocal and Instrumental music. His techniques and creative ability in accompaniment, solo renditions, and jugalbandi programs have earned him a critical acclaim around the world. He has participated and conducted numerous outreach programs (lecture demonstrations, music conferences and seminars) in various countries including the United States, Europe, Australia and East Asia. He has been instrumental in providing support, direction and guidance towards incubating several arts organizations in various parts of the world.

Murugaboopathi has received several awards over the years such as Kalaimamani and Laya Kala Ratna.

Web: Tanjore K Murugaboopathi