Gagan Chandra Chatterjee was a North Indian classical violinist of the Senia Gharana who is known for inventing the gatkari style of North Indian classical violin.
Gagan Chandra Chatterjee | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1890 Allahabad |
| Died | 1949 |
| Genres | hindustani classical music |
| Occupation | Violinist |
| Instrument | Violin |
Early life and training
editGagan Chandra Chatterjee was born in Allahabad on 1890. He learnt Hindustani classical music on sarod from the Senia gharana master Ustad Keramatullah Khan. However, he chose a different instrument for expressing the music he learnt. He could accurately play the gatkari styles of sitar and sarod on the violin and spent the rest of his life with this instrument.[1] He also learnt from Lachhmandas Munimji, a well-known harmonium player, and Pran Krishna Chattopadhyay, a well-known dhrupad singer.[2][3]
Career
editGagan Chandra Chatterjee played extensively in music conferences of his time. He recorded a few classical tracks accompanied by piano in which he is credited as 'G.C. Chatterjee'.
Style
editPrior to him, Hindustani classical violinists used to play by mimicking vocal Hindustani classical music. However, Hindustani classical music uses many techniques that are unique to sitar and sarod. Gagan Chandra Chatterjee was the first person to bring those techniques over to the violin. He used to play the complete alaap-jor-jhala of Hindustani classical music which was heard only on sitar and sarod prior to him.
Students
editAlthough Gagan Chandra Chatterjee inspired many musicians across instruments, he did not leave behind many students. His most well-known students were Sriram Srivastava and his younger brother Joi Srivastava.[4]
References
edit- ^ Kapil, Hemant (30 July 2011). "Nature in melody". The Tribune. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
- ^ The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Music of India. Oxford University Press. 2011. ISBN 9780195650983.
- ^ Roychoudhury, Bimalakanta. Bharatiya Sangeet Kosh. Delhi: Vani Prakashan. ISBN 978-93-5000-463-0.
- ^ Narayan, Prakash (1963). Violin Vaadan. Sangeet Kala Sadan.