Though known in ancient Mesopotamia, long before the birth of Christ, as the Psantir, and adapted from the shata-tantri veena by Amir Khusrau in medieval India, the santoor knew little popularity as an instrument in Indian Classical music until relatively recently, through the genius of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma. This is because the santoor, with its myriad discrete tinkling sounds does not lend itself very easily to the resonant continuities and note-warps (meends) of the North Indian classical tradition. As a result, even after the extraordinary success of Pandit Shivkumar, no other significant player of this instrument was seen rising on the horizon - until the recent appearance of Tarun Bhattacharya.
Tarun Bhattacharya has swiftly risen to the top rank of performing artists in the genre of North Indian Classical music. Young, shy and unassuming by nature, he has performed in numerous music conferences and festivals in India and across the world - in U.K., U.S.A., Canada, Russia, Dubai, Bangladesh and many other countries and reached the hearts of millions by his unique talent and technique. He has more than a dozen national and international recordings in the form of record albums, casettes and compact discs to his name. He is an A-grade artist in All India Radio and Indian Television. He has worked with Pandit Ravi Shankar and George Harrison for special projects and is featured in Pandit Ravi Shankar's "Inside the Kremlin" recording at the India Festival in Moscow. Recently, in acknowledgement of his established genius, he was invited to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in London for the BBC PROM's centenary celebrations. The standing ovation and royal applause he received at this event from the 6,000 strong audience, overwhelmed him and his tabla accompanist, Bikram Ghosh.
Tarun's initial grooming in Indian music came at an early age in his life from his father, Robi Bhattacharya and later from Dulal Roy, both famous names in Bengal. Later, he was under special training with Pandit Ravi Shankar. Tarun has an unique style of playing the santoor, and those who have heard Pandit Shivkumar Sharma will immdiately see his originality. Emulating sometimes the deep timbre of the veena, sometimes the sensuous ornamentation of sitar-sarod, Tarun can evoke pre-natal memories or immerse the audience into communion with the mystic heart of Nature. Among many unique contributions to the playing of the instrument, Tarun introduces the meend, an effect very difficult to coax out of the santoor.
To keep his total involvement with music, Tarun also looks after the Music Academy, set up by his father, Robi Bahttacharya, himself an eminent disciple of the late Radhika Mohan Moitra. Warm and compassionate by nature, he is dedicated to higher causes and often donates his proceeds. Proceeds from one of his casettes, for example, have been dedicated for the aid of the Blind Persons' Association in Bengal.
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A rare vocal emotionalism combined with the technical virtuosity already acquired since childhood, it is no wonder then that she casts a spell on her listeners from the very first note.- Susheela Mishra, 'The Times of India', Lucknow
What emerged from her hands was dignified and mature musicianship - creditable for one so young. - Sumit Savur, 'The Indian Express', Bombay
The tone of the violin, espcially in the alaap portion was sweet and caressing and the alaaps were marked by tonal grace and rhythmic elegance.- Amarendra Nandu Dhaneshwar, 'The Independant', Bombay
She left us in no doubt that one more star has emerged on the musical horizon.- Mohan Nadkarni, 'The Times of India', Bombay
A superbly measured prefection marked her opening Behag, combining an insistent emotionalism with an overwhelming technical fidelity.- Madhumanti Maitra, 'The Telegraph', Calcutta
Yet another trail-blazing, brilliant young violinist is rising fast in the field of Hindustani music.- 'The Hindu', Delhi
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Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya is available in the U.S. for concerts through November, 1996
Of this period, he will be in the West Coast from September 25 to October 11; in the East Coast and Midwest through the month of October, returning to the West and Southwest in NovemberContact if interested in more information.
The following CD recordings of Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya are available for sale:
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