MISHRAN: AN EVENING OF HINDUSTANI & CARNATIC FUSION
Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 8pm
Global View Series Sponsored by
Worah Family Foundation
This performance is presented without an intermission.
Ustad Shahid Parvez: Sitar
Shashank Subramanyam: Flute
Pt. Abhijit Banerjee: Tabla
with
Parupalli S. Phalgun: Mridangam
Shahid Parvez Khan is celebrated as one of the world’s greatest sitar players, renowned for his distinctive tone, deep artistic insight, and powerful stage presence. A master of both preserving and innovating within the Hindustani classical music tradition, he has pushed the boundaries of the sitar to new heights of aesthetic beauty. His music, recognized for its unique blend of tradition and evolution, captivates audiences globally.
As the seventh-generation heir of the illustrious Etawah Gharana, Shahid Parvez Khan continues a legacy of musical excellence. He was trained from a young age by his father and guru, Ustad Aziz Khan, who was himself the son of the legendary sitar and surbahar virtuoso Ustad Waheed Khan. This prestigious lineage includes some of the most influential figures in Hindustani classical music, such as Ustad Sahabdad Khan, Ustad Imdad Khan, Ustad Enayet Khan, and Ustad Vilayat Khan.
Khan’s contributions to music have been widely recognized, earning him numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from the Government of India. His performances have garnered acclaim across India, Europe, North America, Asia, and Australia, where he regularly tours, enchanting audiences with his innovative and deeply expressive music.
Through his art, Shahid Parvez Khan not only honors the rich traditions of his Gharana but also expands its horizons, ensuring that the sitar remains a vibrant and evolving instrument in the global music landscape.
Shashank Subramanyam, born in 1978, in Rudrapatna, India, is a renowned flutist celebrated for his mastery in Indian classical music. With roots in both Carnatic and Hindustani traditions, Shashank’s musical journey began at a very young age. Displaying extraordinary talent, he made his public performance debut at just six years old and has since become one of the most accomplished musicians of his generation.
Shashank is self-taught, a rarity in the world of classical music, and his innovative techniques have significantly influenced flute playing in India and beyond. He is particularly known for pioneering the Multi Flute Fingering technique, which has revolutionized the way the Carnatic flute is played. This technique allows for a wider range of notes and expressions, mimicking the human voice and enabling complex improvisations. His performances are often centered around the Ragam Tanam Pallavi, a piece that showcases his improvisational skills and deep understanding of both melodic and rhythmic structures.
Throughout his career, Shashank has collaborated with a wide array of musicians from various genres, including John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, and Ustad Sultan Khan. His versatility as an artist is evident in his ability to perform across different musical settings, from traditional Indian classical to jazz and symphonic collaborations.
Shashank’s contributions to music have been recognized both in India and internationally. Notably, he was the youngest recipient of the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s senior award in 2017, presented by the President of India. In 2022, he was honored by the French government with the title of Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, acknowledging his global impact on the arts.
Shashank has performed in over 50 countries, spreading the rich tradition of Indian classical music worldwide. His unique style, combining vocal and instrumental elements, has left an indelible mark on the world of music, inspiring a new generation of flutists.
Abhijit Banerjee stands as one of the foremost Indian musicians of the current era. Trained under the esteemed guidance of the late Pt. Jnan Prakash Ghosh, he has graced prestigious festivals both in India and internationally. Collaborating with Grammy-winning musicians such as L. Shenkar, Ry Cooder, Larry Coryell, and the Denmark Radio Jazz Orchestra, Abhijit has carved a niche for himself in the global music scene.
His performances have adorned renowned venues like Carnegie Hall in New York, Palais in Brussels, and the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London. Currently serving as the head of the tabla department at Chinmaya Viswa Vidyapeeth University in Pune and an adjunct faculty member at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ), Abhijit's expertise extends beyond performance to education.
In addition to his contributions to Indian classical music, Abhijit has made significant strides in the realm of crossover music, both as a performer and a composer. With over 55 audio and video publications worldwide, his impact on the music industry is profound.
Recipient of the APPEX Fellowship from UCLA, Abhijit's academic journey reflects his diverse interests. He holds a graduate degree in English literature and a postgraduate degree in journalism.
As the founder and guiding force behind Dhwani Academy in India and the U.S, Abhijit is dedicated to preserving and promoting Indian cultural heritage through education and performance.
Parupalli S. Phalgun is a master of Mridangam, Khanjira, and Konnakol, known for his remarkable dexterity and advanced techniques. Trained from age five, Phalgun has performed with top artists like Dr. L. Subramaniam, U. Shrinivas, and Shashank, captivating audiences in over 50 countries. A distinguished A-Top grade artist of All India Radio, he has received numerous awards and is a faculty member at the Government Music College, Vijayawada.