Lovers of Indian classical music are in for a treat on June 27 as Sarav Entertainment presents renowned Indian singer and musician Kaushiki Chakraborty and tabla player Subhajyoti Guha live in concert. Promoter Ravi Persad, a member of Sarav Entertainment, said the organisation is pleased to feature the multi-talented singer and tabla player in a once in a lifetime concert at the Southern Academy of the Performing Arts, Rienzi Kirton Highway, San Fernando.
He said that at the age of two Chakraborty, daughter of vocalists Pandit Ajoy and Chandna Chakraborty, began singing and at the tender age of six she began her recording career. Chakraborty, 35, has an accomplished musical career and has established herself as a versatile Indian classical singer. “She does traditional Hindustani music. She has sung in films, devotional songs and bhajans and folk music. Her music is spread all round,” he said.
Persad said the music that Chakraborty delivers will be a musical treat for all. “She takes you on a journey. It is like taking a train in India, she takes you to the different areas of India, not only South India, North India music, but Bengali and all other genres of music in India. It is going to be a musical treat,” Persad said.
He said her repertoire will feature both classical and Hindustani music mixed with Bhojpuri songs and songs Indian music lovers are accustomed to hearing. According to her profile Chakraborty performs one of the two major divisions of Indian classical music; North Indian music or Hindustani music, (the other is the Carnatic music of south India.)
She has also studied the music of south India and from time to time has incorporated aspects of contemporary Indian pop music. In addition to her music studies, Chakraborty has also studied philosophy, gaining a first class honours degree. In 2000, she won an award as the outstanding performer for the Dover Lane Nabin Pratibha in a series dedicated to encouraging new talent.
Guha, Persad added, is a talented young tabla player from Kolkata, India. Guha, according to his profile, was introduced to tabla at an early age of five by his father Dr Smriti Ranjan Guha, a disciple of late Ustad Keramatullah Khan of Farukkabad Gharana. Few years later the internationally well-known tabla maestro and trainer Pandit Sankha Chatterjee, also a disciple of Khan and late Ustad Allarakha Khan of punjab Gharana, took Guha under his tutorship where he remains.
Mohip is not stranger to the local Indian classical music circuit. He began playing the harmonium and singing bhajans at the age of nine and is considered one of T&T’s leading musicians. Persad said the concert, which begins at 7 pm, will also feature the talented Rana Mohip and Neval Chatelal and Prashant Minocha. Tabla master Dexter Rahunanan will also make a guest performance as well as singers Devin & Anita Latchmana.
Tickets are $300 (VIP) and $150 (General) and are on sale at Praimsingh’s in Curepe and Chaguanas, as well as, Laxmi Jewelers High Street, San Fernando. For more information call 678-6891 or 750-6686.