We were very lucky to have the opportunity of meeting Guruji Pt. Falguni Mitra recently. Guruji and Guruma were gracious enough to take time off from their busy schedules to host us at their home. We sought and obtained their blessings and guidance for our musical endeavors. Aditya and I also sang a few bhajans and chotakhayals in their presence, and Aditya had the singular honor of being allowed to play on Guruji's harmonium! Truly a memorable occasion for all of us.
More information on Guruji :
A foremost exponent of Dhrupad, the authentic and respected form of Hindusthani Classical music, Pt. Falguni Mitra was initiated into music by his father, Sangeetacharya Pt. Shib Mitra at the tender age of four and a half. A worthy disciple of Pandit Bholanath Pathakji of Varanasi, a doyen of Betia Gharana, Pt. Shib Mitra had the privilege of receiving “taalim” in Alaap from the legendary musician, Ustad Nasiruddin Khan Sahib of Indore, the patriarch of the Dagars. Thus, Pt. Falguni Mitra combines the Dagar style of “Alaapchari” with the Betia style of Dhrupad and Dhamaar with a distinctive stamp of his own personality.
Gifted with a deep, melodious voice, Pt. Falguni Mitra has inspired a reformation to this unique art-form through successful innovations in its melodic structure and rhythmic variations. The unwavering purity of the Raga, imaginative phrases filled with emotions and nuances, majestic compositions and intricate “laykari” create an aesthetic charm that permeate his vocal renderings.
Pandit Falguni Mitra retired early from an extremely busy top executive position in a multinational US corporation to pursue his first love, music. Currently associated with ITC Sangeet Research Academy as the Prefect and a Guru, Falguni Mitra has been taking part in prestigious music festivals in India and abroad for decades besides being a regular artiste on Akashvani and Doordarshan. Early in his career, he became the youngest musician to perform as a regular artiste on All India Radio, and has subsequently been honored with various awards and titles including the esteemed "Dhrupad Ratna".
A video of Pt. Falguni Mitra found on Youtube
