Classical musicians and connoisseurs got together at an event organised by the West Bengal State Sangeet Academy on the Rabindra Sadan premises to celebrate World Music Day on June 21.
West Bengal State Sangeet Academy convenor Pandit Debojyoti Bose, Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar, Pandit Tanmoy Bose, Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya, Pandit Shubhen Chatterjee, singer Saikat Mitra and singer Babul Supriyo were present on the occasion.
Representing the younger generation of musicians were Indrayudh Majumder, Rohen Bose, Satavisha Mukherjee and Arijit Chakrabarty, among others.
The musicians paid floral tributes at the statues of Baba Allauddin Khan and Acharya Jnan Prakash Ghosh.
“It’s a special event because we are all classical musicians who have gathered here today. On a personal level, I treat each day as a special day for music,” said Tanmoy Bose, a tabla maestro and percussionist.
Speaking to My Kolkata, ace sarod player Tejendra Narayan Majumdar said the day had given them a great opportunity to salute the legendary music teachers Allahuddin Khan and Jnan Prakash Ghosh.
“India thrives on the Guru Shishya Parampara. This day is perfect for renewing our pledge to follow and respect our elders who led us to the world of music,” he added.
Sarod maestro Debojyoti Bose said, “It’s important to point out that classical musicians like us have no real organisation. With that in mind, I was trying to organise a special day when we all can meet at one place and celebrate the one thing that binds us all together — music.”
“Apart from meeting others from the classical fraternity, this day gives us a chance to pay our respects to all the legends of the past. I would also like to thank the younger generation of musicians for their efforts to spread the reach of music across the country and the world,” he added.