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 Recently I had the opportunity to listen to Anjan Chattopadhyay’s two sitar recitals in Kolkata, In this respect, I take the opportunity to say something about Anjan’s music. Anjan, is one of the torch bearers of the uninterrupted rich musical tradition of sitar playing in Bengal, India.
His music is sublime and having the serene mood of presentation. His tone, touch, weavy graces produced with the pull of string and the creation of numerous varieties are his strong points in his recital. In his rendition of Raga Yaman he went through the familiar and flamboyant roads with some unexpected improvisations of the offbeat possibilities of the Raga.
Some of his twists and turns brought out a marvelous arrangement of grace of rhythm. Anjan seems to have attained notable technical perfection over the years along with his mastery over his surprising control and the exquisite climax of the well conceived tehais [a figure repeated three times evenly in a phrase].
In the second concert he played Raga Shyamkalyan , Jhinjoti with all the richness of details, depth of modulations and exquisite feeling. He showed his perfect mastery over all the intricacies of times and tunes, forms and formalities of the rich classic heritage of Indian Classical Music.
In conclusion, I must say than Anjan’s sitar recital is the music of cosmic emotion. Ii brings to the heart a feeling of solitude and vastness that surrounds us on all sides. His music adds a quality of depth and bliss to the human mind.
Asish Chattopadhyay
Journalist, Music Critic,
Anandabazar Patrika
Kolkata India
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