Aniket Chakravarty
Domain: Sarod | Educator | LIVE Concert Performer | Community Builder | Recording Studio Artist
Genre: #IndianClassical #Sarod
Location: Kolkata, India
Journey
THE YOUNG SAROD EXPONENT
Aniket Chakravarty is one of the most leading and nationally acclaimed young Sarode exponents from Kolkata, west Bengal, India. Aniket is quite adept in handling sur-taal and laya blending the traditional manner with the essence of Maihar-Senia gharana. Following the footsteps of his guru, today, Aniket’s renditions are characterized by a unique blend of the Sarod, Sitar, and Vocal styles of Hindustani classical music. His instinct of aesthetical swara-binyas (progression of notes) and skillful ekhaara-taans (superfast notes combination with Dara / Diri) coupled with his incredible control over sur and laya have enthralled audiences in various parts of India and abroad.
The melody in Aniket’s music exhibits the influence of his idols, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Ustad Bahadur Khan, and of course his guru, Dr. Pandit Ranajit Sengupta. He is also a studio session artist collaborating with distinct groups, musical personalities and imparts Sarod training to the younger generation of aspirants.
Aniket was born into a music-enthusiastic family, in Jhargram, West Bengal, India. He initially underwent vocal training at age 6 under his mother’s guidance before anchoring himself into the Sarod. Aniket started learning Sarode at the age of 11 from Sri Alok Lahiri. At the age of 13, he played for Doordarshan (National Television) for the first time. His further training was undertaken by the eminent Sarod maestro Dr. Pandit Ranajit Sengupta, who continues to instruct him to the present day under the traditional Maihar-Senia gharana. Moreover, Aniket attended several workshops of the legendary maestros late Pandit V. Balsara, Ustad Aashish khan, and late Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta.
AN INTENSE JOURNEY OF RIGOUR, PASSION, LOVE
Rigorous and intensive training followed, and Aniket was lauded for his erudite performance by many connoisseurs of music. Many accolades and awards followed. He was awarded the national scholarship by the Ministry of Culture (Government of India) at the age of 20 and was subsequently specially invited to participate in “Pratibha Utsav” for his outstanding performances. Aniket is an ICCR (Indian council for cultural relations) empanelled & Graded artist of All India Radio (AIR) and Doordarshan. He has already become a regular performer as a soloist & also as a duet with several stalwarts and top-grade musicians all over India and abroad. He has achieved the rare opportunity to ably support his Guru Pt. Ranajit Sengupta on duet Sarode in several prestigious concerts. He presented many
memorable programs for All India Radio. He is a recipient of many awards including which “Ali Akbar Khan memorial award” from the MAIPAR (Monomanjari institute of performing arts and research) and “The Best Young Talent” award from the Sarbabharatiya sangeet o sanskriti parishad to name a few.
He has performed in numerous solo concerts as well as duet & orchestration various prestigious platforms:
- Indian cultural exchange program in Tehran, Iran
- Sangeet Baithak organized by Shivaji Park Nagarik Sangha, Dadar, Mumbai, 2023
- “Wave of Sarod” in Horizon series by ICCR, Kolkata, 2022
- Raag-Ragini series by Shruti Sarita Art, Uttarakhand, 2022
- Annual classical conference of West Bengal State Music Academy, Kolkata, 2022
- Annual convocation of Sarbabharatiya sangeet- o- sanskriti parishad, Kolkata, 2019
- Spring festival at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur, 2019
- Classical Concert organised by Salt Lake Cultural Association (SCA), 2018
- 8th conference of IMSA & international symposium, 2018
- Golestan palace, Milad tower and in Kaliveh music school, 2017
- Indian republic day celebration at the Indian embassy in Abu Dhabi, 2013
- Duet with Guru Pandit Ranajit Sengupta at Utkal university, Odisha, 2013
- Bhagavat Gita Jayanti Utsav, Kolkata, 2009
- Pratibha Utsav at eastern zonal cultural centre, Kolkata, 2009 /2011
Aniket has received appreciations and reviews from mainstream PRESS and media:
“His deliberation began with a sure-footed, leisurely, and tuneful alaap consisting of raga-revealing phrases. This was enough to ensure his mizaj. After displaying his virtuosity in jod-jhala, he again sought the quiet and comforting zone of emotions in his slow teental gatkari and gradually moved towards skilfully played fast ektaal and extra fast”.
The Statesman
“Adept in blending traditional mores with essences of Maihar-Senia gharana, one could adduce whiffs of his legendary idols, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Ustad Bahadur Khan, in his approach”.
The Eastern Chronicle
“His progression to tishra jati and khanda jati adequately balancing both fast-tempo and finesse was notable”.
The Eastern Chronicle
HIS LEGACY BUILDS MOMENTUM WITH “SUR SADHAK FESTIVAL”
Aniket was introduced to music by his mother Smt. Nandita Chakravarty at a very early age. Having a music-enthusiastic family he got a very musical environment from his parents during his childhood. Later he was introduced to the Sarode by the wish of his father Sri Saibal Kumar Chakravarty, who was a former deputy director of the information and cultural affairs department of the West Bengal government.
As days passed Aniket discovered his keen interest in music and the Sarode became his inseparable part of life from childhood affections to consistent dedication. As a young aspirant in Indian Classical Music, Aniket realised that the awareness of Indian classical music should be more popularized among the younger generation as well as familiar people.
With that essence, Aniket has introduced his brainchild “SUR SADHAK FESTIVAL” An annual classical music conference. He and his wife Mrs. Poulami Chakravarty started the music conference in the year 2022 to promote and encourage classical music and musicians by providing a musical platform and enhancing the popularity of classical music to the people. Aniket seeks encouragement, blessings, and love from all of you to make this venture successfully run in the upcoming days.
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