Sandip Bhattachary - Classical Background

The Artist

Sandip Bhattacharya is a prominent name among Indian music lovers. He was born and raised in India's oldest cultural and holy center, Benares. A place that gave the world such musical giants as Pandit Anokhelal Misra, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Kishen Maharaj, Pandit Mahadev Misra, Pandit Samta Prasad, Pandit Omkarnath Thakur, Smt. Bageshwari Devi, Pandit Jyotin Bhattacharya, Pandit Sharda Sahai, Pandit Rajan and Sajan Misra, Smt. Girja Devi, Pandit Mahapurus Misra and Pandit Ishwar Lal Misra.

Since early childhood Sandip was in close contact with several of these celebrated performers of Indian classical music. They shaped his musical thinking. While some of these masters taught him the essence and details of the Indian classical tradition, others, such as Pandit Ravi Shankar, inspired him to explore new musical fields.

Sandip has performed and recorded Indian classical music alongside many of its greatest exponents, including Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Prabha Atre, Pandit V.G. Jog, Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta, Lakshmi Shankar, Shujaat Hussain Khan, Buddhaditya Mukherjee, Ustad Munawar Ali Khan, Sruti Sadolikar, Tarun Bhattacharya, Ustad Hafiz khan, Meeta Pandit, Pandit Ulhas Bapat, Ashok Pathak and many others.

About his Music

Sandip's style, based on fifteen years of intense training under the expert guidance of his Guruji Pandit Ishwar Lal Misra, is in the tradition of the legendary tabla maestro Pandit Anokhelal Misra. (see 'Related Pages...' below)
Beside mastering the typical Benares Gharana, Sandip studied the Farukhabad and the Ajrara style with Pandit Arvind Mulgaonkar who in turn was a disciple of Ustad Ahmadjaan Thirakawa and Ustad Amir Hussain Khan.

Outstanding characteristics of Sandip's style are the distinct tonal quality and clear expression in each single detail of the rhythm pattern he plays. He makes the tabla sing and talk. Each individual 'bol' (syllable, such as dha, dhin, terekete, dhere-dhere etc.) seems to be alive with joy. His playing captivates listeners, driving them with the pulse and flow of the rhythm, and his inventiveness always leads to surprises. Thanks to his confident approach he is a valued solo performer and collaborator in any conceivable musical field.

A Multitalented Musician

Beside tabla, Sandip is a superb Pakhawaj player. He has played and performed in the traditional Dhrupad style with members of the Dagar family, (i.e. the late Rudra-Veena player Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar, vocalist Ustad Sayeeuddin Dagar and Rudra-Veena player Bahauddin Dagar) and played with many other instrumentalists and vocalists.

He also plays a number of other Indian percussion instruments, such as Dholak, Naal, Kanjeera, Ghatam and Morsing.

More information about his work in jazz and world music can be found following the 'World Music' link.

playing pakhawaj in Dhrupad style. Photo Paul Ranzijn

Related Pages ...

Links to pages in 'The Artist' section. The current page is indicated by two dots before the name.

		Sandip's background and career as a classical tabla player.
		Pt. Ishwar Lal Misra and Pt. Pandit Anokhelal Misra.
		The Benares gharana lineage.

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