With seemingly no effort at all, his thin, delicate mallets let loose a shimmering waterfall of notes, clear, striking and vibrant. Everywhere he performs, renowned musician Tarun Bhattacharya reaps praise for his inspired playing of both Hindustani classical music and his own unique compositions on the ancient Kashmiri instrument known as the santoor.

The instrument
The santoor is a hammered stringed dulcimer native to the Kashmir valley where it began life centuries ago as a Sufi folk instrument known in Sanskrit as the "shata-tantri-veena" or "100-string lute". It is believed to have been derived from the older Persian santur and related to similar instruments in Central Asia.

Today it is played throughout Northern India and considered a Hindustani classical instrument. With 24-100 (usually 80) strings of steel and tuned in a great variety of styles, the santoor is played by striking the strings with a pair of wooden mallets (mezrab).

The maestro
With his own innovations on the instrument, Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya is considered by many to be one of the few santoor maestros of his generation and has been called "a master of one hundred strings". The famous Maihar Gharana’s only santoor maestro fitted his santoor with thicker strings and, in 1980, displayed that one could “meend” or glide notes at the lower octave in a hammered instrument. He also created innovative playing techniques and developed a technique to tune its many strings in a fast, simple way.

Born in Kolkata, Tarun was first trained in the tabla by his father, Pt. Robi Bhattacharya, and then by renowned santoor and jaltarang performer, Pt. Dulal Roy. In 1982, he continued his training under Pt. Ravi Shankar.

Since then, he has performed across India and abroad in venues such as the Royal Albert Hall (London), Palace-de-beaux (Brussels), Theater-De-La-Viile (France), Apollo Theatre (Spain), released over 100 albums and compilations, and received national and international honours.

He has also collaborated and recorded with other accomplished musicians from India and other countries on a wide range of instruments including the bansuri, shehnai, tabla and guitar across genres, and been critically acclaimed in both the classical and crossover fields.

The programme
Hear maestro Tarun present an evening of soulful music on the santoor, accompanied by renowned Indian classical and crossover musician, Abhijit Banerjee, on the tabla.

Abhijit is one of the most sought-after tabla players in India, and has won numerous Indian and international accolades and awards for his musical excellence and contributions to Indian classical and crossover music.

The two will begin the night with South Indian music’s most romantic raga, Raga Kirwani. Be mesmerised as Tarun unfolds the raga with a short alaap followed by two compositions set to jhanptaal (a rhythm cycle of 10 beats) and teentaal (a rhythm cycle of 16 beats).

This will be followed by a dhun (semi-classical piece) called Bhatiyali which is a melancholic Bengali folk tune, and lastly, a bhajan, Vaishnava Janato – the famous anthem of the Mahatma – based on the Raga Mishra Khamaj.

"What is noteworthy about Bhattacharya is his ability to excel both in the classical and fusion forms of music. His music not only soothes but makes one reflect as well." – India Today

"...subtle in inflection and supple in phrasing." – Jazz Times

You are strongly advised to be seated 15 minutes before the performance start time.
No admission will be allowed into the venue once the performance has commenced.
Exceptions may be made at Esplanade's discretion depending on the nature of the performance.

Tickets sold through SISTIC Website, Hotline and Outlets.

IMPORTANT NOTICE
For the enjoyment of all audience members, all events start promptly at the time printed on the ticket. Please be seated 15 minutes before the performance start-time. Entry for latecomers and re-admission will not be permitted until the first appropriate pause in the programme or intermission, if any.

Patrons are advised that with effect from 12 March 2004, an administrative fee of $5 per ticket is payable for all Replacement Tickets issued.

Please note the following conditions: - Replacement Tickets can only be issued for performances with reserved seating.
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