The Creative Arts Academy (TCAA) broke new ground when it inaugurated its department of music under the leadership of Tanmoy Bose and his organisation, Tabla.Inc. Faculty members of the department also regaled audiences with a blend of western and classical music under their collective, Anahat Naad.
The Creative Arts Academy (TCAA) has been a pillar of creative expression in Kolkata for over two decades, honing talent in theatre, writing and dance.
Soumyadeep Das and Piu Mukherjee performed a melodious rendition of the Saraswati Vandana in raag basant
“We wanted a space solely for artistic ventures, where all branches of art could make a difference and art lovers could come together. Ramanjit has done a phenomenal job in transforming this building from an old house to an academy. The performances today are meant to showcase the expertise of our teachers, who are some of the best musicians from Kolkata,” said Bose, director, Music, Department, TCAA.
The evening began with Piu Mukherjee’s sonorous voice, as she welcomed guests with Saraswati Vandana in raag basant, followed by Chaiti, a traditional song that is played in Benaras during the month of chaitra. “It has been a pleasure to perform for you. I want to thank Guruji for bringing me in as a teacher at TCAA,” she smiled. “Piu has a profound and prolonged command over her voice. While people first noticed her during her time at Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, she was introduced to Indian classical music as a child, and has extensively trained under Padma Vibhushan Girija Devi,” Bose said.
This was followed by Soumyadeep Das performing a traditional teen taal solo on his tabla, before beginning a jugalbandi with Pt. Bose, where the guru showed the relationship with the human voice and the tabla, remarking that, the “tabla is much like speaking a language.” Das added, “I'm very honoured to have been part of this. I've been with Guruji for 16 years now, and I always go by his guidance.”
“The energy of the room was amazing and we’re looking to have many more performances here in the coming months,” said Swastika Mukherjee, who regaled audiences with songs like "If I Ain’t Got You" and “Valerie”
At this point, the mood switched as Swastika Mukherjee showed her vocal range with western numbers like If I Ain’t Got You by Alicia Keys and Valerie by Amy Winehouse. “This evening was a way to spread the word for children and adults. TCAA is a safe space where art has no boundaries,,” she said. Bose added, “Swastika learnt Western music in London, which shows her dedication to her craft. She was a little girl who had the dream of becoming a vocalist and came to me. She has shown immense courage in chasing that dream.”
Bodhisattwa Ghosh was the final performer of the evening, and made the guitar come alive with his original compositions. His first piece was Ballad of a Broken World, written during the uncertainties of the first lockdown, while the second one was a jazz-fusion piece called Void. “This is a beautiful venue and the vibe is perfect to host live music. Educating people about music and nurturing of the arts is very important, and I’m honoured to be a part of Tanmoy da’s vision.”
Bodhisattwa Ghosh played his original composition, written during the uncertainty of the first lockdown
“I'm enthralled by the music played by these masters. I’ve known Pt. Tanmoy Bose for years and observed his dedication as a guru with over a 100 students. Having collaborated over many projects, this venture is the organic next step, where we can accommodate everyone under one roof and provide a space for those music enthusiasts who didn't know where to go,” said Ramanjit Kaur, founder-director, TCAA.
The academy will offer courses in a host of genres including Indian Classical Vocals, Western Vocals, Tabla, Guitar and Drumming, and students can expect a comprehensive knowledge of music theory, composition, history, technology and performance in them.