#bengalclassicalmusicfestival
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Vidushi Girija Devi (1929 – 2017), ‘Appaji’ to many, was a nonpareil singer of the Seniya and Banaras gharanas. Very few have been able to match her singing skills in the light classical genre. Her flawlessly rendered Thumri instantly touched the listeners’ heart and left an indelible impression. When Appaji passed in 2017, Pt Birju Maharaj, the doyen of Kathak spoke of his special relationship with Girija Devi, who though older than him, was like a sister-in-law with whom he grew up. She had also taken lessons in music from Maharaj's father-in-law, Chand Misra. Because of this kinship, it was common for them to exchange affectionate jibes on stage during their frequent jugalbandis. Both Girija Devi and Birju Maharaj were recipients of the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.
Pt Birju Maharaj often spoke of the evolution of thumri — how it provided artistic license to take minor liberties with the raga, thus making it a highly subtle, and more evolved form of singing. He lamented how an age of grace, courtly manners, elegance, and artistic excellence has now passed. Composer, singer, and Kathak exponent Birju Maharaj (1937 – 2022) was born into a family of renowned Kathak dancers. He trained under his uncles and father, Acchan Maharaj, in the Lucknow Kalka-Bindadin gharana of Kathak before his first performance on stage at the age of 7. Maharaj was known for his animated facial expressions and light-footed movements, accompanied by the sound of bells he wore around his ankles. He would often draw inspiration from his own life in his performances and was a skilful storyteller.
On the second day of the Bengal Classical Music Festival held in Dhaka in 2012, the audience swayed as the lilting sensual voice of Vidushi Girija Devi beckoned Pandit Birju Maharaj to perform the Chaiti Bairan re koyelia tori boli na suhaye. Her singing intertwined with the magical body movements and facial expressions of Maharaj to bring out the love, joy, mischief, and restless vigour, inherent in the poetic imagery of the Chaiti.
The jugalbandi of the singer and performer were aptly accompanied on stage by Pt. Subhankar Banerjee. A child prodigy, Banerjee (1966 – 2021) had quickly carved a niche in the world of music with his consummate artistry on the Tabla. Until his untimely demise at the age of 54, Banerjee was one of the most sought-after Tabla artists in India, a leading favourite of maestros such as Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, among others. Born to singer-composer Kajalrekha, Banerjee trained under Pt Manik Das of Benaras gharana, and then took lessons from Pt Swapan Shiva of Farukhabad gharana, for 25 years. He was a recipient of Sangeet Maha Samman, by the West Bengal government of India.
We are saddened that the three great performers – Vidushi Girija Devi, Pt. Birju Maharaj and Pt. Subhankar Banerjee – who lit up the stage in Dhaka on December 1, 2012, have all passed since. The three are deeply loved and remembered not only for their flawless artistry but also for their high humanist ideals, and the love and joy they spread so selflessly.
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Bengal Foundation has been promoting Bengali music for decades in order to nurture and uphold the musical traditions of Bengal. The Foundation releases a wide selection of Bengali albums to the public, conducts workshops, and well as create opportunities to train under distinguished musicians at the Bengal Parampara Sangeetalay. Bengal Foundation’s music programme also frequently organises a number of large scale music events which include the Bengal Classical Music Festival.
Bengal Foundation’s music programme aims to pave the way for better appreciation and understanding of the fundamentals of music; as well as to energise, influence and promote the music industry of Bangladesh.
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