Posted on 26 July 2025:

ANURANAN: CLASSICAL MELODIES THAT DANCED THROUGH THE STORM

EVEN AS KOLKATA’S ROADS SURRENDERED TO RAIN & THUNDER, THE SKY GAVE NO MERCY, SOMETHING REMARKABLE BLOOMED INDOORS—A CONCERT THAT TURNED EVERY DROP OF RAIN INTO RHYTHM.

ANURANAN, A CELEBRATION OF INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC, PROVED THAT NEITHER MONSOON NOR STORM COULD DAMPEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUE LOVE OF MUSIC. THE AUDITORIUM WAS PACKED, OVERFLOWING WITH EAGER HEARTS —AS THE CALL OF MUSIC WAS LOUDER THAN THE STORM.

On the evening of July 13th, Dr. Triguna Sen Auditorium came alive with the sound of heritage. Anuranan marked its tenth year with a radiant celebration of Indian classical music—a journey that began with rhythm and reverence, and continues to echo across generations.

Founded by the legendary tabla virtuoso Pandit Parimal Chakraborty, his partner in life and vision Smt. Sutapa Chakraborty, and their devoted disciples, Anuranan has grown into a musical home. 

What sets it apart is its beautiful balance—bringing together promising young artists and seasoned masters on the same stage. 

Echoes of Legacy: The Tabla Duet That Lit Up Anuranan’s Evening

The concert’s first spark came from the nimble fingers of Parag Chowdhury and Rituraj Mitra, disciples of the legendary Pandit Parimal Chakraborty. Their tabla duet unfolded like a living rhythm—a graceful dance that moved through Peshkar, Kayda, Rela, Tukra, Gat and Paran, each phrase building towards the grand finale of a resounding Chakradhar.

What made their performance unforgettable was not just technical brilliance, but the unmistakable stamp of their guru’s guidance—an essence felt in every beat and pause. As their hands sang across the drumheads, Subrata Bhattacharya on the harmonium became their rhythmic shadow, adding color and clarity with every note, lifting the entire performance to radiant heights.

The audience responded not only with applause, but with a quiet sense of awe. This was more than a recital—it was a moment when tradition breathed through youth, and mentorship sang loud and true.

Ragas in Bloom: Melodies from the Heart of Anuranan

The evening glided into grace as Swarnendu Mondal, a gifted sarod player of the new generation, unfolded the elegance of Raga Bihag. Each note spoke of deep training and imagination, his taans flowing like gentle waves and brisk winds alike. The structure of the raga, the pulse beneath it, and the feeling within were all handled with care and clarity. When Swarnendu struck the gat in fast tempo, it lit up the hall with energy and finesse—earning warm admiration. With him was Nabarun Dutta on tabla, whose rhythm carried both strength and sensitivity, weaving a musical dialogue that was as thoughtful as it was thrilling.

The third act belonged to the voice—Smt. Sohini Majumdar, who offered Raga Puriya like a prayer in sound. Her voice held layers of contemplation and poise, lifting the raga to something deeply personal and divine. In her second piece, a thumri in Raga Desh, Sohini’s emotive tones captured longing and tenderness in every phrase. Amitabh Sen on tabla brought quiet power, responding and supporting with perfect timing, while Subrata Bhattacharya’s harmonium glistened beneath it all—gentle, melodic and reassuring.

A Duet to Remember: Bageshree’s Brilliance at Anuranan’s Finale

The final glow of the evening came from the heart of Raga Bageshree, as two legendary maestros—Pandit Sandeep Chatterjee on the santoor and Pandit Parimal Chakraborty on the tabla—took the stage for a duet that soared beyond technique.

The performance began gently, with a soulful alap that traced the raga’s mood in soft curves and quiet depth. Then came the gat in jhaptaal, where rhythm joined melody in a seamless embrace. The moment Pandit Parimal Chakraborty entered, the music became a spirited conversation. Each phrase of tabla wrapped itself around the santoor’s shimmering tones, echoing trust, mastery and shared intuition.

As the composition moved into teen taal, the pace quickened—the final gat and jhala surged with brilliance. Pandit Chakraborty’s dazzling na dhin dhinna rang through the hall, bold and unforgettable. It wasn’t just rhythm—it was storytelling, etched into sound.

And behind the scenes, guiding the flow with elegance and care, was Shinjini Chakraborty, whose graceful presence ensured the evening unfolded like poetry.

This milestone concert was more than a performance. It was a tribute to legacy, mentorship and the continuing bloom of talent within India’s classical arts. Each note played was a reminder: music is not bound by age, but elevated by devotion.