Maestro Tarun Bhattacharya

On of the unparalled music ambassadors, India has contributed to the world is Santoor Maestro Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya. He has been for the last 30 years a potential flag bearer of Indian classical music at top notch world concerts, from Royal Albert Hall to Kremlin (Russia), to Palace-de-beaux (Brussels) to Theater- De-La-Ville (France) to Apollo Theatre (Spain) to Jubilee auditorium (Canada), etc. having an endless list of mesmerized audience from Prince Charles to late George Harrison to Paolo Solaris, etc.

Being the only Santoor Maestro from the famous Maihar Gharana, Pandit Bhattacharya has revolutionized Santoor, the instrument, as well as it style of playing. He is known as the first champion (1980) who proved that one could ‘meend’ or glide notes at the lower octave in a hammered instrument like Santoor. Pandit Bhattacharya is also know for the invention of “mankas” or fine tuners that help in the tuning of this 100 stringed instrument fast, with a long lasting effect and a very high degree of accuracy. His innovative techniques of playing the

Santoor also facilitates in the playing of “KRINTANS, EKHARATANS, BOLTANS, etc.” thus broadening the utility of the Santoor in various traditional arts. Furthermore, his improvisation on the shape and string arrangements produces deeper and more classical sound for the Santoor.

Pandit Bhattacharya is recognized the world over for his Ragdari, as well as, Layakari (mathematical calculations) and plays music that touch the soul. The sounds from his Santoor thrill all generations young or old, connoisseurs or the common man, and from any country. Pandit Bhattacharya has released over 60 CDs and Cassettes. He has been the recipient of numerous felicitations like pre Grammy nomination in 97, excellence in world music USA, and his CD “Kirwani” has been acclaimed as the top 10 in the world. Pt. Bhattacharya received his talim (music instructions) from his father Pt. Rabi Bhattacharya, Pt. Dulal Roy and finally from the great Bharat Ratna Pt. Ravi Shankar . To know more about pt.tarun bhattacharya plz log on to www.tarunji.com