18 February 2025/

DR. PRIYAANKAA MATHUR: CELEBRATING LEGACY OF HINDUSTANI CLASSICAL MUSIC

Dr. Priyaankaa Mathur, a celebrated Hindustani classical vocalist, is renowned for her captivating performances in classical, semi-classical, ghazals and devotional music. Since 2005, she has been an empanelled artist by ICCR Delhi and a scholarship holder from Sahitya Kala Parishad. Her immense contribution to Indian classical music earned her the prestigious ‘Samaj Ratan Samman’ in June 2024. Additionally, Dr. Mathur has contributed as a freelance journalist for esteemed publications, further showcasing her dedication to the world of music and culture.

Dr. Priyaankaa Mathur‘s first Guru was her mother, Smt. Chhabi Rani Mathur, disciple of late Pandit Mahadev Deshpande ji, who was honoured the ‘Sangeet Alankar’ from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi. Young Priyankaa’s initial training in Hindustani classical music began under her mother, and began her swar sadhna and basic raga training at an early age of 4. This was followed by her training under her nana guru pandit Mahadev Deshpandeji at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in New Delhi.

Dr. Priyaankaa Mathur fondly reminisces her childhood taleem, “I remember singing many bandishes like in Raga Malkauns ‘koyaliya bole ambuva dar par’ and Durga ‘ Shyam sundar sakhi aaj’ like a  poem in my nursery school days. That’s how my mother introduced me to the realm of classical music in a playful way. It’s very important to inculcate classical music and dance at an early age in children, to develop their interest towards our traditional art forms.”

“I remember once my mother was  singing Raga Bilaskhani Todi in the kitchen while I did not know the raga. But I could make out that the song ‘jhoote naina bole sanchi batiya’ is the same raga. I urged her to teach me the raga and the beautiful bandish she sang,  ‘dekhe bina na mane ri piyarwa’ and thus our kitchen was my favourite  spot to hang around and listen to her and learn so many bandishes and even ghazals that she taught me eventually. Most fascinating thing was that she sang to the sound of the kitchen fan which was tuned in Pancham. Unfortunately my mother could not pursue her career but she gave me all the wings to fly and pursue mine,” she shares a vivid memory of her childhood.

Dr. Priyaankaa Mathur has been blessed to learn from several legendary mentors throughout her illustrious journey in Hindustani classical music. Her primary mentor, the late Ustad Aslam Hussain Khan Saheb from Mumbai, guided her in the traditions of Jaipur Atrauli, Agra and Khurja Gharanas. Dr. Priyaankaa also had the privilege to learn from the legendary Gana Saraswati Vidushi Kishori Amonkarji and Vidushi Shalmalee Joshiji (Jaipur Atrauli tradition), Pandit Jagdish Mohanji (Kirana Gharana), Pandit Madhup Mudgalji, Pandit Mahadev Deshpandeji (Gwalior Gharana) and Ustad Iqbal Ahmed Khan Saheb (Delhi Gharana). This rich tapestry of influences has greatly shaped Dr. Priyaankaa’s profound understanding and expression of classical music.

A JOURNEY OF SCHOLARLY AND MUSICAL EXCELLENCE

Priyaankaa choose music as her vocation and enrolled for BA Music Hons, which was followed by her higher education MA, M.Phil and Ph.D in Indian Music from Department of Music, Faculty of Music & Fine Arts Delhi University. Her Ph.D research, “Critical Analysis of Prachalit (Popular) and Aprachalit (Rare) Sufiana Compositions Bandishes of Hazrat Amir Khusro,” offers fascinating insights into some rare compositions that blend Indo-Persian music, created by the legendary composer Hazrat Amir Khusro. Dr. Priyaankaa often performs these unique compositions as part of her repertoire.

Her academic journey is marked by an insatiable thirst for knowledge, which led her to explore the elements of Rasa and Bhava in Fine Arts. For her M.Phil Dissertation at the Faculty of Music & Fine Arts, Delhi University, she conducted extensive research on the “Depiction of Rasas in Indian Classical Fine Arts.” This profound exploration has greatly enriched her understanding and expression of classical music, making her an esteemed scholar and a celebrated musician. Dr. Priyaankaa Mathur was honoured with the title of Sangeet Alankar and  Sangeet Visharad from Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, New Delhi.

SPREADING THE ESSENCE OF INDIAN CLASSICAL MUSIC

Dr. Priyaankaa Mathur believes in spreading the beauty of Indian Classical Music and allied art forms globally. Over the span of 14 years she has held prominent editorial roles at several publications, including Editor for HRA NOW Magazine, Assistant Editor for BW Businessworld, and as well as Assistant Editor for B2B Travel & Hospitality Magazine, En Route Wonders Magazine, Travelscapes, and Chief Reporter for Exchange4media (e4m). She has passionately written articles on various subjects, including Indian classical music, culture, art, Bollywood, entertainment, lifestyle, travel and hospitality.

Dr. Priyaankaa has also contributed as a freelance journalist for esteemed publications such as Indian Express, Free Press Journal, esamskriti.com, The Score Magazine, FT Films Today, Filmifiles.com, and Onstage Magazine for NCPA Performing Arts. Recently she published her article on Haveli Sangeet in Indian Express. She has interviewed eminent Sitarist Ustad Shahid Parvez, Flutist Rakesh Chaurasia and Marathi Folk performer Nandesh Umap for Free Press Journal. She has been featured as an artist in the journal Samakalika Sangeetham and on the website Preetihoon.com. Additionally, she was recently interviewed on News Nation about the legends Talat Mehmood and Suman Kalyanpur.

CELEBRATING A LEGACY OF MUSICAL EXCELLENCE

Renowned musician Dr. Priyaankaa Mathur has graced numerous prestigious platforms with her exceptional talent. She captivated audiences at the Special Events Pavilion at the Global Village Dubai on 14 November 2011. Her performances continued to inspire, including at the Mahatma Gandhi Mahotsav in July 2019, organized by the Patel Foundation and Sangeet Natak Academy Gujarat in Porbandar, celebrating Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th year. In July 2023, she performed Bhajans of Meera, Kabir and Tulsidas at ‘Kavya Parampara’ organized by Vishwa Hindi Academy. Dr. Priyaankaa also honored her Guru at the Guru Purnima event in 2019, organized by the disciples of Ustad Aslam Hussain Khan Saheb. More recently, she performed at the Power Woman Concert on 31 July 2024 in Mumbai, organized by Tapri and Music Far, and at ‘Paricharcha in Hindi Kavya Parampara’ on 11 June 2024, organized by Vishwa Hindi Academy, Mumbai and Malwa Rang Manch, shedding light on the Kavya of Indian Classical Bandishes. 

Dr. Mathur’s dedication to her craft continues to inspire and captivate audiences, solidifying her legacy in the world of music. She continues her journey, dedicated to preserving and promoting Indian classical music.

Though her Gurus and mentors now rest in peace, their guiding light inspires students like her to move forward, keeping the traditions alive and thriving.