Introduction
This is the third feature in a series of biopics of established professionals from India’s music industry. As always, these features are written in a manner for our young audience. This week we have an eminent guest from India’s prominent musicians.
Purbayan Chatterjee is a Sitar maestro following the path of his famous father Parthapratim Chatterjee. Purbayan’s music is inspired by the sound of Pt. Nikhil Banerjee (An incredibly famous proponent of Maihar Gharana). We will get into more details of his illustrious career and discography, which few articles are written about, in the following sections.
Purbayan’s social media links on Spotify
Purbayan Chatterjee
Please describe your earliest memories of music and how it all evolved through many years to decide on Sitar as your medium of expression.
“When I was two years old, my father started training me. He was a famous sitar player by then. I was lucky growing up in an environment that nurtured music a lot. My father’s side is a very musical family. I have heard that my great-grandmother was an excellent Hindustani singer. I was a naughty little boy, so when I started accompanying my dad to his concerts they must have thought giving me some musical instruments to play with would keep me quiet during concerts. It took a few years for me to get to start thinking of learning music. I remember, I started singing around three years, and slowly I was imbibing everything around me, we call it Sanskar. Around twelve years of age, I was properly into learning Hindustani vocals and that gave me a great basic understanding of the system”
Pandit Nikhil Ranjan Banerjee, (an Indian classical sitarist of the Maihar Gharana), you say he has a great influence on you. How does that interaction happen?
“He was my Father’s guru. My father passed on many of the styles of Maihar Gharana to me through his teachings. I had the privilege to play in front of my father’s guru, he was a great sitar player. We all have to find someone that we can relate to or imbibe from. It is like when a child starts talking, it picks up the accent from the parents, and when one grows up, gradually refines his language into his own style. I said that simile to say that as a musician, we all look for great models and it all evolves ultimately into one’s own style.”
So are you a proponent of the Maihar Gharana system? Please speak about this system more for our readers if you want.
“Yes, I am. A Gharana is a school or an institution one person establishes in Hindustani Style singing. It goes to the extent that a person takes it through many dimensions throughout his life. Maihar is a Gharana with many famous musicians like Pandit Ravishankar (a major known proponent). The school was formed by Allaudin Khan (who is the guru of Pandit Nikhil Ranajn) in the princely state of Maihar, It goes to its connection to the great rich Senya Gharana whose proponent Wazir Khan from whom Allaudin Khan learned his music. In the Gharana system, there are a lot of learning processes where one learns everything from taal, shruti, and raagas; at the end of a long period of training, he/she gathers himself to form his or own style and takes the system further up. A guru for any student becomes more than a guru; he guides his disciple through spirituality and everything one can think of to make her/him a full person.” A big smile on Purbayan’s face; It was loaded with maturity and showed glimpses of his toiled years of learning music in the past.
What do you think is your biggest contribution to music till now?
“I think I am at a phase where I think I am still taking a lot from this world and simultaneously I am giving back to it. I would think I can contribute a lot more by creating awareness of the need to nurture our music systems. For me music is without any boundaries; and like the famous saying ‘There are only two styles of music awareness: good and bad music.’ Something good for me and may not feel good for you. So a lot of open-mindednesses, to accept the changes and bring that realization to a very vibrant music community of India. It is in fact a lot of changes happening in India’s music and acceptance of modern trends is needed.”
So that brings us to a point many good musicians talk about what the Smule platform did to music. Music is for everyone. Where is the boundary?
“A good analogy that comes to my mind. What is considered in common life as good jokes vs bad jokes (say what we all call a PJ)? When someone says a PJ in a way that looks hilarious to some people, that raises an eyebrow, but it becomes a sort of interesting for some other people.
“Likewise when we make music it becomes interesting in ways that we may not imagine. To say that something is bad is subjective. There are many styles of singing. Some people sing very melodically and slow and some sing very fast and in styles that are not standard. But each of these different styles reflects in a way to their own style of life or state of mind etc. When an artist sings it gives the listener the very expression and shades of his own emotional state. If one is shy about understanding this **anachronic state (see reference), in the current music scene we are going nowhere. If someone does a painting, if there is a buyer for it, then he becomes an artist.” Purbayan stops abruptly, but left me amazed, at how true he said.
Now we can talk about your most popular album “Lehar” where Shankar Mahadevan has performed the title song “Dwo” in Purbayan’s super-hit fusion album, “Stringstruck” released by Times Music. Why don’t you pursue singing?
“That is a very interesting question. My music came from vocal training. I don’t think singing and instrumental music are two separate things. I have been trained in vocals and it is my core. I would like to use my vocal abilities on stages, but I have to do a lot of practice since it has been a long time since I did riyaaz.”
“If one were to look down on the planet from areal view, the whole essence of what brought us here and can realize the spirituality and find larger perspective on one’s own art that is what is more important for me. Not to deviate from your question yes, that song with Shankar is available on all music streaming services. “
The music Lehar is available on all music streaming services. Yet this is an onstage performance of Purbayan featuring Shankar Mahadevan’s show
You are the recipient of the President’s award for best instrumentalist for the year 1993 at age of 20 and that must be an honor you value most. Please tell us about that experience and what does such recognition mean to any artist? Does it encourage you or is it kind of a burden on your creativity?
“It was really a great thing to happen in my career but in fact doesn’t it happen every year? Purbayan laughs out loud.
“Not to say any less of it. Yes, I felt really happy when I got the recognition. You know as human beings we are driven by incentives in our nature. We are happy when we get a pat on our back. It takes a lot to absorb all that attention. Awards are superb and we are all like dogs. We are waiting for that bone that satisfies your inner thirst for recognition. Sometimes it is another burden. Personally, I never felt that way though.”
Do you think a classical instrumentalist has a better grasp of the ragas and rhythms and an overall understanding of a song better?
“No comparison must exist like that. Indeed vocal expressions have lyrical value. But there is vocal music that has no proper lyrics. That way ultimately Instrumental music is like any other music but without any words. They often should work in parallel. There is no dichotomy, I think. Lyrics of course can be a direct way to convey emotions to a listener; a good instrumental performance makes the same effect as a vocal performance.”
When you decided to take music as a career what challenges did you have vs any other career?
“My dad gave me a lot of support; to a certain extent, this made my case very easy. Also, all the gurus that I had, were so supportive and clearly said I must pursue music as a career. Above all, I was very sure that I wanted to be a musician and I myself had that realization so strong, that taking a decision was not a big conflict for me. But am I good enough? that self-check was a big hurdle, and it happens now also. When I wake up, the very thought in my mind is “Am I good enough?”. Till today I have such doubts in mind, it is there at some level and that realization of self awareness keeps me constantly in check of me improving on things. I guess that is a good thing.”
Any advice for youngsters who are looking up to you as an accomplished musician?
“Personally, in my case I was lucky that too much of that self-doubt that I mentioned was not there. I was not looking for those high coveted profession that many of my friends were after. I was not one of those people who pursued many sought-after professional achievements.
There is something good in taking it easy and all my gurus taught me to be patient and do hard work. Thanks to my gurus and those things that we take for granted every day look like blessings now. When all my gurus told me that I must take music as a career and I will be successful, I believed their intuition. Looking back it is kind of scary. I knew the obvious risks, but was ready for any hardships and struggles many artists go through in life. Unlike other institutionalized learning and career path taken by many generally, an artist’s trodden path is something you are sure to get cut and bruised. But, no pain no gain.”
What is fusion music?
“Music is divine in any form. No music is better or less by any measures. Having said that when attempting fusion one needs to be aware of the borders. One definitely needs to know the borders. It is not an easy job to do east and west fusions. To do a good job one needs to have a thorough knowledge of both genres, only then one can get a birds-eye view to see where the boundaries are; then it all will fall into place and make an enjoyable new creation.”
What are your thoughts and experiences on working with western artists? Is it the right direction for India’s music? Why do artists go out to do fusion?
“I like to use an analogous view here, If one is flying above high enough one can see the entire landscape of the land below, and when one needs to land his flight, it has to be the precise navigation techniques that are in hand, otherwise, it will become a crash landing. Fusion music attempts are somewhat like that.
As far as your second part of the question, why do India’s famous musicians do it and why they did do it because it is a huge challenge. Make music that is without boundaries with a fusion of rhythm, melody, and harmony and that’s what it is all about. As always we say music is a universal language that knows no boundaries. In that process always there is a possibility that disharmony may get created. That is unfortunate.”
“But when made right it breaks all those barriers and creates a new harmony and melody works as a bridge. Thus the fusion of different genres in my view is a beautiful thing to show the universal connections and exploring these directions for an artist is so important, at least it is in my case. Different languages exist on the planet for communication, when a global need comes, how are you going to appeal to someone in Ethiopia? of course through music, right? It is always possible to stay within the traditions of classical music, still make excellent fusion music.”
Still, our pandits of India’s classical music must be rolling in their graves when they hear some of the authentic Carnatic and Hindustani compositions are made into fusions. Should our music remain unique or should it blend with all world music and lose its identity?
“I take the case of our traditional meditation technique Yoga’s case for that matter as a similar scene. It went abroad and many adapted it right? it still remained as India’s meditation. Combined with other forms of exercises it became more powerful.” He kept his comments precise and then continued “When anybody says yoga we hear India’s name, and we must be proud it went all over the world. Why not?”
Where do you see yourself in the next few years?
“Exactly, where I am today. I don’t mean to say that in a cynical way. I don’t want to sound overconfident as well. I am in a good place musically with god’s grace. I would like to spend a lot of time with my music and get more involved.”
Your companion Ojaus. Tell us about him.
“We play a lot together, that way we have a musical connection. His name is Satayjit Ojaus and he is like a young brother. In music we tend to stick with people who understand artistically.”
What did you study other than music?
“I am a bachelor in English literature. I have also studied in Western harmony and currently, I am researching Indian melodic model systems.”
You have performed with Ustad Zakhir Husain and are big friends with him. Tell us about all the great associations you have made over the years. How does the community of instrumentalists support each other?
“Zakir Bhai is my guru legend and I always look up to him for my inspiration. My dad used to be a friend of Nikhil Banerjee and Zakhir and I was fortunate to be hearing them and they knew me when I was young and had lots of interactions, while I was growing up and learning to be a musician. So from very early itself, I had associated with Zakhir Bhai in many ways. I am so fortunate in many ways and thankful for all that.”
Your wife Gayatri is South India’s famous playback artist. Do you both work together on projects? And what are your upcoming projects
“Yes, musically and artistically we have so much in common and the connection is very enduring and when our targets in careers become the same it becomes a very enjoyable thing. When two people have the same vision, the same kind of things life is in sync, there is nothing more to ask for. We have made a lot of music together. She is focusing on Ghazal singing a lot lately. We just released a project together.”
We want to wind up this by asking you to provide any thoughts that may not have been covered at this time. Anything you want to say more please
“Classical music should be encouraged and it is one the most unique identity of India’s music I am sure this is a great effort from your side and I really appreciate your efforts on the blog page. It is a very enjoyable thing to interact with similar-minded people and happy to be a part of these efforts.”
When I said good byes, it was so much joy to meet with such a great mind, and hear such beautiful and mature thoughts. We want to express our sincere thanks to Purbayan from the bottom of our hearts from the entire India Smule community for this kind gesture to interview here. Smule will be eternally thankful for musicians like him to be a part of Smule’s efforts to support India’s great traditions in music.
END NOTES
Purbayan and his interview were such an eye-opener for us and will tell you why. What we saw in him was a very strong foundation of music, yet a musician who also imbibe current modern trends. Unlike his predecessors, Purbayan lives in an age where the music industry is evolving rapidly and becoming all the more electronic. Yet, the education of music in India still follows a very traditional style and insists on the age-old practices of tough Riyaaz and discipline. While we study western classic and modern music, it is showing a tendency of increasing freedom of expression that is a reflection of influences of different cultures and changes happening in the current world music. Purbayan’s love for India’s traditions and a very mature outlook arise from the high intellectual thoughts that define him as one of the most influential musicians of our time.
His views on making life decisions were bold and well based on reasoning. During this journey of interviewing many budding musicians we found a lot of hesitant minds and lots of complaints from youngsters that nobody cares about their music. Are you an artist ready to pursue your dreams? Take your helm and keep treading. “Cuts and bruises promised.” in his own words.
Purbayan’s advice of taking a bold decision and accepting a path that promises a lot of suffering is what we think makes a mature musician like him. Some are blessed by lineage, yet career decisions and success doesn’t have anything to do with them at all. It is that mature thoughts at a young age that pave the directions one will go. We thank Purbayan for his time and excellent thought-provoking at the same time very fast flow of a lot of thoughts. My hope is that if we captured at least three fourth of his thought processes then we would consider this a success. A message from Purbayan for all Smule Singers and friends.
Thanks all, especially to West Bengal friends and the only verified Smule group Sonar Tori, friends user profiles Brishty, Tarangini, Mouli, Subhajit Chatterjee, Ambalika Mukherjee, Riya Debnath, Sourajit Ghosh, Kritirupa Sarkar, Gyanuji, Maitreyi Sen, Shaktiji and lots of other good friends, all for spreading the love and support spread Purbayan’s word on Smule. Please share the news and let us celebrate one of the most celebrated musician from India.
Here are few of Purbayan’s music. Please listen and follow him on his musical journey on his social media handles, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, and Facebook. Thanks all for the read.
This is a very enjoyable video with a music and a view of the nature in 360 degrees. Do play this and try the rotation arrows to see the whole beautiful scenery.
Purbayan’s latest project
References
ITC Sangeet Research Academy publications and the references therein are used
**Anachronic- a discrepancy between the order of events in a story and the order in which they are presented in the plot
