12 November 2024/
AROHA SCHOOL OF MUSIC’S 10TH ANNIVERSARY: CELEBRATING WITH VIDUSHI ROSY DUTTA, PANDIT INDRAJIT BANERJEE, PANDIT SHANTILAL SHAH AND JASON ZINN
On 9 November 2024, the AROHA SCHOOL OF MUSIC in Texas, USA, celebrated its 10th Anniversary with a mesmerizing evening of classical music at the Hindu Temple of the Woodlands Auditorium.
The event featured renowned Hindustani vocalist Vidushi Rosy Dutta, sitar maestro Pandit Indrajit Banerjee, tabla virtuoso Pandit Shantilal Shah and Jason Zinn.
Vidushi Rosy Dutta captivated the audience with her intricate vikambit kayak, showcasing rare bol/bat style latakari and tans. Her performance of the famous Drut Bandish “Khana Re” was met with thunderous applause and standing ovations.
Rosy Dutta’s rendition of Raag Kedar was truly exceptional, showcasing a unique and exclusive alap that beautifully integrated the distinct features of both the Gwalior and Kirana gharanas. Her taans, evidently a divine gift, reflected the mastery of a true maestro. This unforgettable performance in Kedar was exceptional, enriched with numerous special nuances that highlighted the depth and sophistication of her gayaki and elegance of her singing style.
Vidushi Rosy Dutta, trained by her parents Shri Sashadhar Pandit and Smt. Sabita Pandit (Roy) and legendary gurus Pandit JVS Rao, renowned musician Pandit Biresh Roy and ‘Guruma’ Dr. Sunanda Patnaik brought a depth of emotion and technical brilliance to her recital.
The evening concluded with a spellbinding performance by Pandit Indrajit Banerjee. He began with Rageshwari alap Jod, followed by vikambit Gat, drut and Jhala, and ended with a beautiful Dhun and Raga Malkauns. His delicate meend work and layakari left the audience in awe. The masterful tabla accompaniment by Pandit Shantilal Shah added to the magic of the night.
Pandit Indrajit Banerjee, a leading sitarist of the Maihar Gharana, comes from a family rich in musical heritage. Inspired by his mother, Manju Banerjee and trained by his grandfather, Bankim Kumar Pal who was the disciple of Inayat Khan, and uncle, Pandit Kartick Kumar who is a senior disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar. He has undergone training under many renowned musicians including Pandit Barun Kumar Pal (Hamsa Veena), Niladri Kumar (Sitar), Partho Das (Sitar), Aparna Roy (Surbahar) and Pandit Manilal Nag of Bishnupur Gharana.
His music blends technical skill with deep sensitivity, earning him recognition as an A grade artist on All India Radio and National Television. Indrajit continues to enchant audiences worldwide with his soulful sitar performances.
The program also featured an excellent student recital by the Aroha School of Music, founded by eminent vocalist Shamik Bose. The talented artists of the Aroha School of Music have been performing on stage for various programs in Houston meropolitan area.
SHAMIK BOSE: A HARMONIOUS JOURNEY FROM KOLKATA TO HOUSTON
Shamik Bose, born into a family of dancers and musicians in Kolkata, began his musical journey at the Bengal Music College. His early training under Panchugopal Mukhopadhyay and later Srimati Kabita Gupta introduced him to the intricacies of ragas and bandishes of the Bishnupur Gharana. Further training under Sangeetacharya Amaresh Chowdhury of the Senia Gharana deepened his understanding of classical music.
Balancing his passion for music and geology, Shamik Bose moved to the USA for advanced studies. After completing his PhD, he settled in Houston, where he continues to teach and perform. His involvement with the Indian Music Society of Houston and the Aroha School of Music has enriched the classical music scene, making him a cherished figure in the community.