Inspiring a new generation of classical singers

Sarathi Chatterjee performing at Bishwa Shahitya Kendra

Chatterjee is a regular visitor to Dhaka. Under an agreement with the Indian High Commission he comes to train students twice a year. Each time between 2004-2007 he is here for six weeks at a stretch. Currently, he has about 80 students under his tutelage, mostly advanced students and some beginners.

The talented Chatterjee and his students performed on September 15 at the Indian Cultural Centre at Gulshan. The programme kicked off with a choral rendition of the moving Saraswati Vandana (invocation to the goddess Saraswati). This was rendered in Raag Sohini in Teen Taal. Then followed Raag Bageshree in Ek Taal and subsequently Taarana.

Later, Chatterjee performed his solo recitals first in Raag Jog Kosh in Ek Taal. Pinu Sen Das accompanied him on the tabla, Mohammad Shakoor played the harmonium and Bijon Mistry and Koheli Islam wielded the tanpura.

Chatterjee also took the stage on September 16 at the packed Bishwa Shahitya Kendra. He rendered Vilambit(slow paced) and drut( fast paced ) in Raga Shyam Kalyan, Raga Kalavati in Madhya laya( medium paced), and a relatively less known raga , Jana Sammohini. Next, he presented Raga Darbari and the amazing thumri in Misra Mand followed by a Bhajan in Vilash Khani Toree.

Chatterjee lives and breathes music. Born in a musical family, he is one of the prime Indian classical vocalists of the current generation. Receiving his early training from his father Professor Arun Kumar Chatterjee, an exponent of the Kirana Gharana and his mother Shefali Chatterjee, he is a disciple of the renowned Hindustani classical vocalists, Pandit Rajan-Sajan Mishra of Benaras Gharana, specialising in Khayal Gayaki.

Chatterjee has blended elements of the Benaras Gharana with the Kirana Gharana to produce a unique melody. He is an A grade artiste of the All India Radio and Doordarshan. In addition he has to his credit a set of two CD-Collection released by Asian Music Circuit of UK. These CDs are mainly targeted at the international market.

What is his view of the calibre of the Bangladeshi students who train under him? Chatterjee has a ready response: "I have noticed that many students are willing to learn classical music and want to take it as a profession. However, they lack good guidance and encouragement by the institutions or government."

In the meanwhile, his students hold him in high esteem. After the performances many of them came forward to touch the feet of their 'Guruji'. The audience too was very responsive. "Since I have been here earlier, I know the pulse of the audience. Many are technically very sound and they love music. I was happy with the response," says the talented singer.