Category Archives: 1921-1947

Remembering Laykari of Pandit Chinmoy Lahiri

Told by Pandit Shyamal Lahiri
Obtained by Rajeswary Ganguly Banerjee
Date 7th April, 2017
Place Shyamal Lahiris Residence at Chandi Ghosh Road, Kudghat.
About the speaker Renowned Vocalist, Son of Legendary Musician Pandit Chinmoy Lahiri
Tags Chinmoy Lahiri, Dhaka, Radio, Suresh Chandra Chakraborty, Ananda Bajar Patrika, Editor, Laykari, Tehai, Kheyal, Vistar, Dhrupadi Ang, Bol Bani, Deri Ang, Do Ang, Teen Ang, Char Ang, Accompaniment, Dilip Chandra Bedi, Palta, Gadda Ghasit Taan, Sapat, Terha Sapat, Choutha Sapat, 1941, 1942.
Language Bengali

Pandit Shyamal Lahiri speaks :

Verbatim:

??? ????, ??? ???? ?? ???? ?????, ?? ??, ?? ????? ???? ???, ???????, ?????? ?????? ???, ?????? ?????, ??? ???? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?????, ?? ???? ???? ?????????, ??? ????????? ????? ????? ?????? ?????????, ??????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ?????????, ??? ????? ?????????, ?? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ?????????? ???? ?????? ??????? ????? ????, ???? ???????, ???? ???? ???, ???? ???????? ?????????? ???? ????? ??????, ??? ?????? ??? ??? ?????, ?? ???? ???? ???? ???????, ???? ??????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ???? ????, ? ?? ??? ?? ?

????? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ?? ???, ????? ????, ??????? ????, ?????  ?????? ?????? ???, ?????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ????? ????? ????? ?????  ????? ?????? ?????? ????? ??? ????????? ?????? ???? ???????, ???? ??? ??????? ??????, ? ??? ????, ? ??? ????, ???? ????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ????? ??? ?????, ????? ????? ????? ??? ?????, ??? ??? ???? ???? ??? ????? ????, ??? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ?? ‘???? ?? ?? ??????? ???? ???? ????? ???????, ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????????? ??????? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????????? ???, ???? ??????? ??? ???, ????? ??? ??????? ?????, ???? ??????  ???  ??????, ??? ??? ???? ??? ???? ????? ??? ????, ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ????? ?????, ??????? ????? ???? ?????, ??? ???? ??????? ?? ????? ?????, ??? ?????, ??? ?????, ??? ????? ??????? ??????? ??? ‘??’ ? ?????, ???? ?? ?? ?????? ?????? ???? ?? ?????, ??? ???? ??????  ???, ??  ??? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ???????, ???? ???? ?? ???? ????, ?? ?????? ????? ???, ??? ???? ?? ????? ?? ??????? ??????? ????, ????? ????? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ????? ???, ??? ??????? ???? ?? ??? ??? ????? ????? ???????? ????? ?????

Pt. Dilip Chandra Vedi

???? ??? ?? ???? ?? ????? ????????? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ???????????????? ?????? ???? ????????? ???? ?????? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ??? ??????, ?????? ??????, ????? ?????? ?????? ??????, ???? ??????? ???? ?????? ???, ???? ????? ????? ?????, ?????? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ?????? ????? ?????????? ?? ?????? ????? ??, ???? ????? ????? ?? ??????, ???? ????? ???? ???, ????? ???? ??? ?????, ?????? ???????

????? ????? ?????, ???? ????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?????, ??? ???? ????? ???????? ????? ???????

Verbatim by:  Rajeswary Ganguly Banerjee

Translation:

He was very young at that time- maybe 25 or 26 years old. He used to live at Dhumdhumar at Dhaka, where he used to work at the Radio also. At that time, the Chief Producer was Suresh Chandra Chakraborty, whose son later became the editor for Ananda Bazar Patrika. Suresh Babu had become a very important figure in the career of my father. He had helped my father with a lot of things including taking him to venues, organizing events for him, etc. It happened once that a person belittled my father’s Laykari and said that it was not a big deal to perform.

So he asked the audience to pick up their hands one by one in any random matra and he would take tehai, instantly from that specific matra. I still am getting Goosebumps thinking about that.

Pt. Chinmoy Lahiri

Everyone was ready to entrap him, and was raising their hands now and then and father kept on doing the Tehai accordingly. So this raged on like a storm for a long time. At that time, in our Khayal and also Bangladeshi Khayal, there was  a mid part, right after the Bistar, it was rarely to be found on that time,   there was bolbani  in Dhrupadi style. I remember him doing it with Bol Bani (words), which together comprised of the Laykari. This too comprised of a number of Tehai and a number of improvisation Laykari in derhigun, dwigun, and chow gun. He attempted several of these Laykari and used to reach at the ‘Shom’ in an incredible way.   This whole procedure was a unique one. You can’t imagine, I can still see it in front of my eyes while talking about it. He would do it with such ease. Players who were not accustomed with playing with him never got a chance in these times. So this was his style of singing. And later in life, he himself started to change and alter his style. During this time, people used to say that he acquired this style from Dilip Chandra Bedi.  I have never met Dilip Chandra Bedi, though I have listened to his records and seen him at places. I remembered that he too did a variety of  Palta. My father also worked with Palta and he also did a lot of Taana too. For example, he did the Gadda Ghashit Taana, Tehara Sapat, Choukha Sapat, etc. All these experiments and innovations that father used to do were his brain child.

Translated by: Ankana Das

Picture Courtesy: Google

http://profsaxena.com/book-6-avenues-to-beauty/

http://www.sangeeta.info/gurus.php

Edited & Designed: Ms. Rajeswary Ganguly Banerjee

 

 

 

 


Note: Pt. Chinmoy Lahiri was born in 1916. His son pt. Shyamal Lahiri is telling about the incidents when Chinmoy Lahiri was 25 or 26 years old. So the year should be around 1941-42. – Editor

Data processed at SAP-DRS Lab, Department of Instrumental Music, Rabindra Bharati University

Ustad Dabir Khan Saved a Situation

Told by Pt. Santosh Banerjee
Obtained by Rajeswary Ganguly Banerjee
Date 5th April, 2017
Place Pt. Santosh Banerjee’s  Residence , Kali Temple Road, Kolkata
About the speaker Renowned Sitar Player, Formerly a Member of Faculty at the Department of Instrumental Music, Rabindra Bharati University. One of the prime disciples of Ustad Dabir Khan.
Tags Dabir Khan, Ripon Street, Begum Akhtar, Akhtari Bai, Mujro, 1940, Tabla, Harmonium
Language Bengali

Pt. Santosh Banerjee Speaks :

Text version:

??  ????-?? ???? ???? ???? ????????? (???? ???? ????)? ???? ?????? ???? ???????? ??????. ??? ????  ?????, ??? ?????? ???? ????????? ?????? ????

?????? ??? [????-??]
??????. ??? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ? ?????, ????? ???? ?? ?????, ???? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????, ??????? ?????, ??? ???????????, ???? ????? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??????? ???? ?????????? ??? ?? ??? ??? ??????? ????? ?? ????????  ??? ?? ??? ????????? ??????  ??? ???????? ??? ?????? ?? ??? ????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ???, ???? ???? ??? ???, ?? ?? ??? ?????? ?????.

???? ?????? ??????

??????

?????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ?? ????? ????? ???, ??? ???????? ??? ???, ????????? ???? ???. ???? ???? ????? ?? ??????

?? ????????????? ??? ???? ?????? ????????? ?

?? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ?????????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ????  ??? ? ???, ?? ?????? ?? ???

Data processed at SAP-DRS Lab, Department of Instrumental Music, Rabindra Bharati University.

Ustad Md. Dabir Khan’s Arrival at the City of Joy Calcutta

Told by Santosh Banerjee
Obtained by Rajeswary Ganguly Banerjee
Date 5th April, 2017
Place Pt. Santosh Banerjee’s  Residence , Kali Temple Road, Kolkata
About the speaker Renowned Sitar Player, Formerly a Member of Faculty at the Department of Instrumental Music, Rabindra Bharati University. One of the  prime disciples of Ustad Dabir Khan.
Tags Dabir Khan, Rampur Sahaswan Gharana, Wazir Khan, Allauddin Khan, Mustaque Hussain Khan, Rampur, Kolkata, 1935, Kesto Babu, Krisna Chandra Dey, Jorasnako Rajbari, Bardhwan  Rajbari, Sagir Khan, Rippon Street
Language Bengali

Pt. Santosh Banerjee Speaks :

Text version:

Ustd. Dabir Khan [1905-1972]
???? ???, ??? ?????? ????????? ?????? ??????. ???? ??? ????? ?????, ??? ?????? ???? ??? ??????? ????, ???? ???, ??? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ????????? ??? ?? ????, ??????? ????? ??? ?? ????, ??? ?????? ???? ?????, ???????? ???? ??? , ???? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ????, ?? ???? ???? ???? ????  ???? ??? ????? ????? , ???? ???? ??? ????? ????? ????? ????????? ??? ??? ???. ??????? ??, ????????? ???? ???? ?????, ????????? ??? ?????, ???????? ???????, ?? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ?????????,????????? ???????, ??? ??? ????? ?????, ??? ????? ????, ??? ?????? ?????? ??????, ??? ??, ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ?? ???? ??? ??? ??? ????, ??? ???????? ?????? ?????? ????? ???????? ??????, ???? ????? ???  ?? ????? ???????, ?? ??????? ???????, ????? ???? ??? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ????,??? ???? ???????, ???? ? ??? ??? ????? ???? ???? ??? ??????

????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?

??? ???? ?????????

Verbatim by: Rajeswary Ganguly Banerjee

Data processed at SAP-DRS Lab, Department of Instrumental Music, Rabindra Bharati University.

Pt. Lakshman Bhattacharya and his disciples

 

Told by Swapna Mukherji
Obtained by Suranjita Paul
Date 2nd March 2017
Place 60/2/7 Kabi Bharati Sarani, Lake Road. Kolkata- 700029
About the speaker Swapna Mukherji is a well-known Sitar Player. She is the daughter as well as a disciple of Sri Amiya Bhushan Chattopadhyay [disciple of Pt. Lakshman Bhattacharya].  She was a graded Staff artist of All India Radio, served both in Raipur and Calcutta Station of All India Radio.
Tags Lakshman Bhattacharya, Amiya Bhushan Chattopadhyay, Sukumar Basu, Aparesh Chatterjee, Badal Das, Sitar, Sarod, 1921, 2012, Moody, All India Radio, Broadcast, Garstin Place, Programme, Chetla Conference, Shyambazar,
Language Bengali

Swapna Mukherji speaks:

 

Verbatim:

     Shri Amiya Bhushan Chattopadhyay

?????????? ??, ????…. ??????? ???????????, ???? ???????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ????? ?????, ???? ???????? ???????????? ??? ??-??? ???? ??? ???? ??? ??? ???? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??? ???? ?????, ????? ?????????? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ??, ???? ??? ???? ?? ??????? ??? ?????? ??????? ????? ???????? ????-? ???? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ?????

?? ????????? ?????? ?????? ?? ??????? ?????, ???? ???? ?????, ???? ?????????? ??? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?????, ?????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ??? ?? ????? ???? ??????????? ????? ?????? ??, ??????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ????

?????? ?????????, ??????? ?????, ??? ?? ???? ????????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ?????????? ???? ????, ? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ??????, ??? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????, -‘???? ???? ???? ????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ??’? ???? ????? ??? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ?? ‘????? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ???????, ?????? ???? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ????? ????’- ??? ?? ???????? ???? ???? ?????? ????????? ???????

??’? ??’? ????? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????????? ????????? ?????, ????? ?????????? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ??, ?????? ???? ???? ????? ???, ?????? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ?????? ??????? ???? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?????, ??? ????? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????? ????? ??????, ????, ???? ???????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ?? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ??’? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ??? ??? ??? ???? ???????

?????? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ??? ????? ?? ??? ????? ?? ??? ???? ??? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?? ???????? ?????? ????? ???? ????, ???????????? ?????, ???????????? ??? ??????????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ???? ??-??????? ?????? ????? ????? ???, ???? ??? ??????? ??? ?????? ??……???? ????? ????? ?????? ????

???? ?? ????? ???? ?????, -‘?? ??? ??? ?? ??’?

??? ??? ?? ??’? – ‘???? ???? ????, ??????? ?????!’

?? ??? ???? ????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ????? ???? ?? ?? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??? ?? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ????? ???? ???, ???? ???? ??? ????? ????? ???? ?????

Verbatim by: Dr. Suranjita Paul

Translation:

My father, Amiyabhushan Chattopadhyay, was one of Lakshmanda’s, that is, Lakshman Bhattacharya’s favourite students. I remember the names of a few others because they used to visit my father. For instance, there was Sukumar Basu. There was someone called Aparesh Chattrjee – I had only heard of him, never seen him. There was someone called Badal Das who could play the sitar and the sarod. He was born in 1921 and passed away in 2012.

Shri Lakshman Bhattacharya

Lakshman da was an incredible artist. He was very moody and somewhat apathetic towards worldly interests. He was dead against self-publicity and avoided it at all costs. He had a tendency of disappearing, so his students would take turns to make sure that he stayed put.

 In those days, programmes on the radio used to be broadcast live. My father used to keep an eye on him. Our house was very close to the Akashbani Bhavan. My father would bring him to our house and make him stay there. He would get angry and say, “Why are you following me like this? Don’t keep me under surveillance!” Father would change the subject and say, “We are so fortunate to ahve found a guru like you. The more time we can spend with you, the better it is for us.” And he would make him perform for the radio.

It had happened a few times that Lakkhan da had a programme, but he was nowhere to be found. This happened a few times during the Chetla conference. These are all stories I’ve heard from father. They’d find him at the crematorium. He used to go and sit there. He seemed indifferent about the world. Maybe he liked it att he creamatorium, that’s why he sat there. He was extremely genial and pleasant. He called my grandmother ‘mother’, and referred to my mother as ‘bouma’ or daughter-in-law. He had a tender disposition. I’ve never heard from father anything about his rage. He was like this, but he was also very, very moody. The students would take turns to keep an eye on him.

Anyway, such measures did not prove preventive in the end. He passed away when he was just 39. He was unmarried. He was at his brother’s house in Shyambazar. I don’t know the exact address. He passed away in that house. His nephew came to our house, dressed in mourning. My father was the first person he informed. Father was shocked when he saw him and asked, “What has happened?” Then he said, “Uncle passed away. He had fever for a couple of days!” He paased away at a very young age. I wonder what would have happened had he lived. He had attained such fame at such an young age that even now his name is heard in certain corners. For instance, you have come to ask me about him!

Translated by: Sarbajaya Bhattacharya

 Picture Courtesy:

Smt. Swapna Mukherji, Renowned Sitarist and graded Staff artist of AIR

Note: Shri Amiya Bhushan Chattopadhyay is the father of Smt. Swapna Mukherji – Editor

 

Edited & Designed: Dr. Suranjita Paul

Data processed at SAP-DRS Lab, Department of Instrumental Music, Rabindra Bharati University

 

 

The Impact still Fresh in Memory—Pt. Lakshman Bhattacharya at Jadavpur Engineering College

Told by Swapna Mukherji
Obtained by Suranjita Paul
Date 2nd March 2017
Place 60/2/7 Kabi Bharati Sarani, Lake Road. Kolkata- 700029
About the speaker Swapna Mukherji is a well-known Sitar Player. She is the daughter as well as a disciple of Sri Amiya Bhushan Chattopadhyay [disciple of Pt. Lakshman Bhattacharya].  She was a graded Staff artist of All India Radio, served both in Raipur and Calcutta Station of All India Radio.
Tags Lakshman Bhattacharya, Jadavpur Engineering College, 1938 – 40, melody, grammar
Language Bengali

Swapna Mukherji speaks:

Verbatim:

?? ??? ???? ??????? ????????????? ?????? ??????????? ??????? ???????????????

??????

????? ?? ????! ???? ?????? ??? ???????????? ?????? ?? ????? ???? ???…?? ?? – ?? (???) ???? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ???????? –‘????? ??????? ????????? (????????????) ???? ???? ????????? ???? ?????? ?? ??-?????, ????? ??????? ??? ????????-  ‘????? ???? ???? ????? ??? ?????????? ?? ?? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ????

 

???? ??-????? ??? ? ????? ???? ??? ??? ????? ??? ??? ???? ???? ?????????? ???, ???? ??? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ??????? ????? ?? ?? ?? ????? ??? ???? ????? ???? ???????? ?? ???? ??? ??? ???? ???????? ???? ??????????

 

Vebatim by: Dr. Suranjita Paul

Data processed at SAP-DRS Lab, Department of Instrumental Music,Rabindra Bharati University.

 

Outstanding Recitals and not much Riyaz: Ustad Vishmadev Chattopadhyay

Told by Sri Jayanta Chattopadhyay
Obtained by Rajeswary Ganguly Banerjee
Date 23rd March, 2017
Place S.A.P. Lab, Instrumental Department, Rabindra Bharati University, B.T. Road Campus.
About the speaker Renowned Vocalist and Musicologist, Son of Legendary Musician Ustad Vishmadev Chattopadhyay.
Tags Vishmadev Chattopadhyay, Bhismadev, Radhika Mohan Moitro, Bimala Prasad Chattopadhyay, Riyaz, Performance, Badal Khan, Harmonium, Tabla, Sarengi, Laykari, Green Room, Rabindra Sadan, Raag
Language Bengali, Hindi

Sri Jayanta Chattopadhyay speaks :

 

 

Data processed at SAP-DRS Lab, Department of Instrumental Music, Rabindra Bharati University.

Ustad Faiyaz Khan and Ustad Vishmadev Chattopadhyay—The Star Attractions of All Bengal Music Conference

Told by Sri Jayanta Chattopadhyay
Obtained by Rajeswary Ganguly Banerjee
Date 23rd March, 2017
Place S.A.P. Lab, Instrumental Department, Rabindra Bharati University, B.T. Road Campus.
About the speaker Renowned Vocalist and Musicologist, Son of Legendary Musician Ustad Vishmadev Chattopadhyay.
Tags 1934, Bhismadev Chattopadhyay, Vishmadev Chattopadhyay , Dhurjati Prasad Mukhopadhyay,  Karachi, All Bengal Music Conference, Senate Hall, Faiyaz Khan, Organizer, Dhiren Ghosh, Haripada Chattopadhyay, Ghulam Rasool, Jnanendra Prasad Goswami,Hirendra Kumar Ganguly, Hiru Babu
Language Bengali

Sri Jayanta Chattopadhyay speaks :

 

Data processed at SAP-DRS Lab, Department of Instrumental Music, Rabindra Bharati University.

The Inspirations behind the origin of All Bengal Music Conference

Told by Sri Jayanta Chattopadhyay
Obtained by Rajeswary Ganguly Banerjee
Date 23rd March, 2017
Place S.A.P. Lab, Instrumental Department, Rabindra Bharati University, B.T. Road Campus.
About the speaker Renowned Vocalist and Musicologist, Son of Legendary Musician Ustad Vishmadev Chattopadhyay.
Tags All Bengal Music Conference, 1934, December,  Allahabaad Sangeet Sanmelan. 1931, Allahabaad University, Dakkhina Ranjan Bhattacharya,Thakur Joydeb Singh, Kanpur Government College,    Noni Motilaal, Bowbazar, Benaras, Sitar, 1933, Hiru Babu, Hirendra Kumar Gangopadhyaya, Enayet Khan, Vilayat Khan, Ramkrisna Mishra, Phulu Mukherjee, Girija Shankar Chakrabarty, Jamini Gangopadhya, Jamini Ganguly, Rathin Chattopadhyay, Rathin Chatterjee, Shailen Bandopadhyay, Shantilata Bandopadhyay, Kripa Bandopadhyay, Teacher’s Cup, Bhupen Ghosh, Pathuriaghata, Jnanendra Prasad Goswami, Promothesh Barua, Probhat Barua, Prafulla Thakur, Damodor Das, Dhirendra Kanto Lahiri Chowdhury, Vishmadev Chattopadhyay, Bhismadev, Krisna Chandra Dey, Shachindas Motilal, Anath Nath Bose, Abdul Karim Khan, Faiyaz Khan, Bhai Paramananda, Kriparam, Ahmed Jaan Thirakua
Language Bengali

Sri Jayanta Chattopadhyay speaks :

 

Verbatim:

?? ?????? ?????? ?????????-?? ??? ???? ???? ???? ????-?? ????????? ??????,  ???? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ????? ???????? ?????? ??????? ??? ??? ???????????? ??? ???? ???, ?? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ???? ????? ??? ????-? ???????? ?????????????? ????? ???? ??????????? ? ????????? ???????? ??? ?????? ???????? ???? ?? ???????????? ????? ????? ???????? ????????????? ?????? ?????????????? ??? ???????????? ????????????? ? ???????? ??? ????? ????? ????? ??? ???? ??????? ?????, ???? ?????? ?????????? ?????? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ???????? ??????? ???? ????? ??????? ????????? ???? ??????????? ???? ??????? ???? ??????? ????? ???????? ??? ???????? ?? ???????? ????? ?? ???????? ????????? ?????? ?? ???????? ?????? ?????????? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ??? ????? ????? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ?? ??????????? ??? ????? ????????

Hiru Babu with Ustad Abid Hussain Khan

???? ???? ??????? ???????? ?? ???? ??  ???????????????? ????? ???? ????? ????????? ????????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??????? ???? ????????? ????? ????? ?????? ??? ???????? ????? ?? ???? ??????? ?????? ????? ????? ?? ??? ???? ?? ???????????????? ????? ???? ????, ??? ?????????? ?????? ???????????? ????????????, ???? ???????? ????? ??? ???????? ????? ?? ????? ??????, ???? ????????? ??????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ??????? ??? ??????? ????, ???? ?????, ???????? ????? ????? ???? ??????, ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ???????, ????? ?? ?? ???? ????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?????? ???, ?????? ????  ???????????????? ????? – ‘??? ???? ???? ???? ?????,  ????? ???-????? ??? ?? ???? ????????? ????, ????? ??? ????? ????? ???? ???? ???? ????’?

?? ???? ????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???????? ???? ????????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??????????? ???? ?????-?????? ??? ???????????? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ?????? ???????????? ????, ???? ???????????, ????? ??????????????, ????????? ??????????????, ???? ?????????????? ???????? ?? ??? ???? ??? ??? ?????? ?? ???????????? ??? ????? ?? ??? ??????? ?????? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ??? ?? ????? ?????-?????? ??????? ?????? ???? ??? ????, ????? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ?????? ?? ?????? ???? ????????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ??? ????????? ?????? ?? ???? ???? ????? (????? ???????) ????? ????? ??? ???? ?? ???? ?? ???????????????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ???????????? ?? ?????? ?? ????????? ???? ???? ???? ????  ???? ???? ??? ??, ?? ???? ???????? ??????, ??????????? ?????? ???? ??? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ……?

??? ??? ?????????????

???????? ????????????? …… ?? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ?? ???? ???????? ??? ????, ???????????? ??? ????, ??? ???? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ????? ???? ??? ?? ???????????????? ?? ????????? ???????, ???????? ???? ????? ???-????? ??? ????? ??? ????????? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ??? ???? ?????? ????????????? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ????? ??? ???? ???????? ????????? ?????, ???? ???? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ??????, ???? ???? ?????? ??? ??????? ?????? ??????? ??????? ?????? ?????, ?????? ?????????? ????? ?????, ????? ??????? ????? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ?????, ?? ?????????? ?????? ???????????????? ?? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ??????? ????? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????, ???????? ?????, ?????? ???, ????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????

?? ????????? ?? ??? ???????? ?? ?????? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??? ???? ???? ??? ????? ??? ???? ?????????? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?????? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ????? ??? ????????? ???????? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??, ????? ???? ????? ??? ???????????? ?? ????? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ?????????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??????????? ?????, ?? ????? ??????????? ??, ??????? ??????, ???? ??? ??? ???? ????? ????? ?????????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ???????? ???? ???? ?????? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ????? ????? ????? ???? ??? ?????, ????? ??? ?????, ??? ????????, ???????, ????? ???? ??? ???????? ??’? ?? ????????????? ??? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ?? ?? ???????? ?????? ???? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????????? ??? ???? ???, ?? ????? ????- ????? ???? ???? ???????? ???? ??????? ??? ???? ??? ???????? ????? ??? ??? ???- ?? ?????? ???? ??? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ?????? ???? ????? ???????? ?????? ??????????? ???

??????? ?????

?????,  ???????-?? ?? ?????? ????????-?? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????, ??? ?????, ??? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ??? ???????? ?????? ??, ???? ?????? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ????? ?????????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ??? ?????? ??????? ?????? ?? ??? ?????? ??? ???? ????????? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ??? ????????? ?????????, ?? ???? ????? ??????????

Verbatim by: Dr. Suranjita Paul

Translation:

If I am to speak about the All Bengal Music Conference of December, 1934, then I have to speak about the Allahabad Music Conference and the competition. Otherwise I won’t be able to make the connection. In 1931, Allahabad University organised a music conference and competition. One of the founders was Dakkhsinaranjan Bhattacharya – the Head of the Department of Zoology. He was aided by his friend and colleague Thakur Jaidev Singh – a professor at the Kanpur Government College, and Nani Motilal. Nani babu actually hails from Kolkata. He used to live near Bowbazar. He later shifted to Benares. He was a patron of music and an amateur sitar player. Many performers have graced his home in Benares. So, all these people were in-charge of the conference.

In 1933, Nani babu said to Hiru babu that Dakkhsinaranjan babu has invited him there to perform. Nani babu and Hiru babu were friends of my father’s. Hiru babu was like a guardian. At that time Dakkhsinaranjan babu had come and he had heard Hiru babu play. Hiru babu’s name was Hirendranath Gangopadhyay, but he was better-known and famous as Hiru Ganguly. So, he heard Hiru babu play and invited him to perform. Inayat Khan, the father of Vilayet Khan, also went. They were accompanied by the singer Ramkrishna Mishra. The three of them were supposed to perform together. Then Dakkhsinaranjan babu said, “We also hold a competition there, so you can take one of your students if you so wish.”

Phulu Mukherjee participated in the competition as Hiru babu’s student. Many students of Girija babu had participated in the competition –  Jamini Gangopadhyay, Rathin Chattopadhyay, Shailen Bandopadhyay, Shantilata Bandopadhyay, Kripa Bandopadhyay, among others. And all of them were awarded either first or second place in their respective categories. And there was a tradition there that the guru with the maximum number of awarded disciples would win a cup. Girija Shankar Chakraborty won the cup that year in absentia. (UNCLEAR) So after these events, Dakkhsinaranjan babu said, “The university doesn’t give us a lot of money to organise this event. Organising a conference and a competition is quite expensive. There are many…”

– Which university is this?

Allahabad University. So…”it is very expensive. There are so many rich people in Kolkata, and music-lovers, so if some money could be arranged then it would be very helpful.” Hiru babu then invited Dakkhsinaranjan babu to his place and the latter accepted the invitation and arrived in June-July. He was taken to Bhupen Ghosh’s residence in Pathuriaghata. Bhupen Ghosh was a patron of music and many musicians would come and stay at his home. Vishnu Digambar Paluskar had stayed there for many days. Our Gyan babu – Gyan Gosai – also lived there for some time. Anyway, Dakksinaranjan babu was taken there. Present there were Pramathesh Barua’s father Rajah Prabhat Barua, Prafulla Thakur, Damodar Das, and Dhirendrakanta Lahiri Choudhury.

Bhupendra Krishna Ghosh

So when Dakkhsinaranjan babu explained the financial situation to Bhupen babu and expressed their hope of sponsorship to organise a good conference, everyone agreed readily. In that day and age, everyone present donated Rs.250/- and Bhupen babu donated Rs.500/-. They were all invited. Not everyone could  make it, but Bhupen babu had gone to the programme. Others who went to the programme by invitation include Vismadev Chattopadhyay, Krishnachandra Dey, Shachindas Matulal, Anath Basu. When Bhupen babu went there, he saw that the famous musicians of India had come there to perform. The likes of Abdul Karim Khan sahib, Faiaz Khan sahib, Bhai Paramananda, Kriparam, Ahmed Jaan Thirakuya were performing there. A lot of reverence was shown for the artistes from Bengal. When he saw this he thought, “Why can’t we do something similar in Kolkata? Why can’t this happen in Bengal?” With this thought in his head, he returned. The Allahabad Music Conference was held at the time of Kali puja.

– In 1934?

Yes, in 1934. He managed to organise the programme within two months, and the conference was scheduled to be held in December. He wanted Hiru babu to be a member of the committe because he was educated. I received a lot of authentic news from him when I interviewed him.

Translated by: Sarbajaya Bhattacharya

Picture Courtesy: Google

http://52kaidas.blogspot.com/2012/11/guest-post-david-yovino-and-new-tabla.html

https://www.google.com/search?q=bhupendra+krishna+ghosh&client=firefox-b-ab&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-i5fH4b7bAhVGKo8KHf9FAxQQ_AUIDCgD&biw=1366&bih=631#imgrc=0xF0VBDFsEgGyM:

Edited & Designed: Dr. Suranjita Paul

Data processed at SAP-DRS Lab, Department of Instrumental Music, Rabindra Bharati University.

Ustd. Vishmadev Chatterjee’s Megaphone Activities and First Record of Ustd. Bade Ghulam Ali Khan

Told by Sri Jayanta Chattopadhyay
Obtained by Rajeswary Ganguly Banerjee
Date 23rd March, 2017
Place S.A.P. Lab, Instrumental Department, Rabindra Bharati University, B.T. Road Campus.
About the speaker Renowned Vocalist and Musicologist, Son of Legendary Musician Ustad Vishmadev Chattopadhyay, Bhismadev,
Tags 1933, Vishmadev Chattopadhyay,Bhismadev,  Megaphone, Kaji Najrul Islam, Durgadas Bandopadhyay, Lp, Begum Akhtar, Kanan Devi, Fullanolini Dasi, Kalo bala Dasi, Bhabani Das, Natthu Khan, Badal Khan, Suha, Bhairo Bahar, Allauddin Khan, Violin Khan, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Sarengi, Kamal Ghosh, Akhtari Bai, Voice Throwing, Mother Disc, J.N.Ghosh, Punjab, Microphone, Recording, Processor, Multani, Pilu, Thumri, Balaram Dey Street
Language Bengali

Sri Jayanta Chattopadhyay speaks :

Verbatim:

       Durgadas Bandopadhyay

???? ?? ???????? ???????????? ???? ???? ????, ??? ?? ???? ????? ??????? ????? ?? ??? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ????? ???????-? ??? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ????????? ??? ????????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ????? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ???????? ????????? ???? ????? ????? ???????-? ?? ?????? ????????? ??? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????? ?????? ?? ????? ???????? ????? ????????? ???????????????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?? ???, ??????? ???? ???? ??? ??, ?? ?? ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ??? ?????, ????? ??????? ????????? ??????? ????????? ??????????????? ??? ??????? ????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ???????? ????????????? ? ?????? ???? ??? ?????? ??…?? ????????, ??????????? ?????????? ?? ??????????? ??.?? ??? ???????? ????? ??? ?????? ??????, ???????, ??????????? ???????? ?? ??……?? ???????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ??????? ????? ???? ??? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ?????????? ?????? ????? ??????????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ???? ????? ???????? ???, ???? ????? ???? ??? ????? ??????, ???? ?? ??? ???? ??????? ???, ???? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ??? ?????, ???? ????? ?????? ??? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ??? ?????……???????????? ????, ???????? ???? ??? ??, ??? ??? ??????, ????, ????? ????? ???? ????? ??? ?? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ???? ???????? ?? ????????? ????? ??? ?? ???????, ???? ?? ????????? ???? ?????????? ?? ????? ?????? ?? ?????????? ?? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ???????? ??? ??????? ??? ??????, ???? ????? ??? ??????? ????…????? ?????? ???? ??????? ??? ??????, ????? ???? ????? ??? ??? ?? ?? ????, ?? ???? ?????? ??????????? ????? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ?? ????????

???? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ??? ????…?? ???? ?????, ???? ???, ??????-?????, ???? ??? ??????? ?? ??? ???? ??? ??????? ?? ?????? ??? ????? ????? ???????????? ??????? ??????? ????????? ??? ??????? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ????? ??????? ???????????????? ?? ?????? ??? ?????? ????????? ??? ???????? ?????? ??? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ????? ??? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ???? ???????, ?????? ????? ????? ??, ???, ???? ????? ???? ???? ?????, ?? ??? ?????? ?????? ?????? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ???, ??? ???????? ?????? ??????, ?????????? ?????? ??????? ?????? ????? ???? ???????? ???? ???? ???????? ??? ?????????? ??????? –? ?? ??????, ??? ???????? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ??????????? ?????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ??? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ???? ???? ?????? ???????? ???, ???? ????? ??? ??? ???????, ?? ????? ???? ????????, ?????? ???? ?????? ?? ??? ?? ???? ????? ?? ??, ?????? ??? ??? ??? ???? ?? ????? ???? ????? ?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ??? ??????? ??? ???? ??? ??? ????? ?? ?????????? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ???????? ??? ?? ?? ????? ????? ??? ??? ?????? ??? ?? ??? ????? ??????? ???? ???? ???????? ?? ?????? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ????? ??? ??? ???, ????????? ???? ??? ????, ??? ??? ??? ????? ?? ????? ?? ????? ???? ?????? ??.??.??? ?? ?????????? ??????????? ??? ?? ????? ??? ??? ???? ??????? ??? ???? ???? ???? ?????, ???? ????? ???? ?????, ??? ??? ???? ????? ???? ????? ???? ????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ??????? ?????? ???????-?? ????? ???????? ????? ???????? ?? ??????? ????? ????? ??- ‘?????? ??? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ??? ??????? ????? ???????, ?? ???? ??? ????? ?? ?????? ??’? ???? ?????? ??, ?? ????? ??? ?? ??? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ??, ??? ?? ??????’? ?? ???? ????? ??-‘??? ???? ??? ??? ???? ????’?

?? ???? ????? ??? ??? ????? ???? ????? ??????, ??? ??? ???????? ?? ???? ???? ?????- ‘? ?? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ??? ???????? ??? ??’? ??.??.??? ??? ??? ??-?? ??? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ??? ??? ???? ????? ‘??? ??????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ???? ??? ?? ???????????’? ???? ???? ??????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ??? ???? ??????????? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ???????? ??? ???? ???????? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ???? ???? ?? ???????? ?? ???? ????? ?????????? ?? ?????? ??? ??? ??????????????? ?????? ?? ??? ??? ???? ????? ?? ???? ???? ??????? ??? ????? ??????? ????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????? ????? ????? ???, ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ?? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ???????? ????? ?????, ??? ?????? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ???????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ????? ??? ??? ??????? ????? ?????? ???????? ??? ????? ?? ??????? ??????-‘?? ????? ?????, ???? ???? ?? ???? ?????-‘???? ?????? ????’? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ???????? ?? ??? ? ???? ???????? ?????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ??????? ??? ????? ????????

????? ????? ????????

??, ????? ????? ??????? ???, ???? ?????? ????? ?? ????????? ??????? ?? ?????

???????? ?????

??? ?? ??????? ?????? ???? ???? ?????????-? ???????? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ????? ???? ????? ????? ??????????? ?????? ??? ???? ?????

Verbatim by: Dr. Suranjita Paul

Translation:

In 1933, VishmadevChattopadhyay, that is, my father, he already knew Kazi Nazrul Islam, and he took him to Megaphone. They required a music director-cum-trainer. Nazrul Islam himself was a trainer there. They were bringing out records of songs he had set to tune. So father joined them as a music director-cum-trainer. During that time, Durgadas Bandopadhyay was in the Drama department. So, alongside setting tunes to songs, father had also set tunes for plays – these were called ‘pala’. Durgadas Bandopadhyay would direct these plays and also act in them, and my father would arrange the music. These records sold very well – Nal-Damayanti, Karnarjun. Karnarjun was later recorded as an LP as well. I have seen that. Then there were other plays like Phullara and Mantrashakti. There are so many others as well…my father has arranged the music for Assamese songs…I have seen this in their catalogue. He composed tunes for orchestra music as well.

Then, Begum Akhtar came, and she used to learn from him. Begum Akhtar has sung his tunes – there are records. Kanan Devi recorded songs from there. Then there is Phullara Devi – Phullaranalini Dasi, she was called Kalobala Dasi. There are recordings of Bhabani Das. Bhabani Das was a rejected artist. He couldn’t throw his voice properly. My father took up the challenge of training him. He loved such challenges. They brought out a record of Bhabani Das’s songs arranged by my father. There is a single record of the tabla playing of Naththu Khan that Megaphone had brought out at my father’s initiative. He was the one who made Naththu Khan record it.

Badal Khan Sahib has just the one recording…both sides have music – it has Suha and Bhayro-Bahar. That was also supervised by my father. Father also supervised a recording of Allaudin Khan playing the violin. There’s something that no a lot of people know about Bade Gulam Ali Khan. He hails from Punjab. It was Begum Akhtar who brought him here. He knew how to play the sarengi and the harmonium because he had a habit of sangat – accompanying the singer on some musical instrument. He has played the sarengiin many recordings of Begum Akhtar. These records came out from Megaphone. He was paid for this.  Kamal Ghosh, the owner of Megaphone, has informed me of this himself.

                      Begum Akhtar

Our Begum Akhtar wanted to bring out a recording of Bade Gulam Ali Khan sahib. She hadn’t then received the title of Begum. She was called Akhtari Bai. But the recording couldn’t get done because he couldn’t throw his voice properly in front of the microphone and the very expensive mother disc was getting damaged. This is in the ‘30s. Bade Gulam Ali Khan was not a big name back then and they were suffering losses, so J.N.Ghosh was not displaying much interest. On the other hand, Begum Akhtar knew that he was a great singer. In the end, she came to father. Father was working in his room at Megaphone’s Harrison Road office. She went there and said, “I brought Khan sahib from Punjab, now these people are saying that they can’t record his songs. They are saying that he cannot throw his voice, so there can be no recording.” Then father said, “Okay, I want to hear him sing.”

So Bade Gulam Ali Khan sahib came into father’s room and sang. After hearing him, father said, “He is a great singer. Why can’t the song be recorded?” So J.N.Ghosh explained that there was some difficulty with voice throwing. Father said that he would show Khan sahib how to throw his voice in front of this particular type of microphone. So he explained it to Khan sahib and they recorded the song again. This time it was better, but not to their complete satisfaction. Father asked them to take a print and make a mother. Then from that copy, you’ll get the actual voice. This is what the technologically-sound young man said. This is how Gulam Ali Khan’s first record came out. On one side was the MultaniKheyal ‘HoSahabJamaan” and on the other side was a PiluThumri – “More NayraLaage”. When the record came out, Bade Gulam Ali signed a copy and came to our house to present it to father as a token of his gratitude.

–  This was at the Sarkar Lane house?

– No. Father used to live at BalaramDey Street at that time.

–  When was this approximately?

– This was the ‘30s. Father joined Megaphone in 1933 and left everything and went to Pondicherry in 1940.

 

Translated by: Sarbajaya Bhattacharya

Picture Courtesy: Google

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1930s-Unique-Bollywood-Actor-DURGADAS-BANERJEE-Movie-Bagya-Chakra-Postcard-Bp-11/282965207584?hash=item41e20a6a20:g:qEIAAOSwGPxaBZJU

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiw

http://canacopegdl.com/keyword/old-gramophone.html

Edited & Designed: Dr.Suranjita Paul

Data processed at SAP-DRS Lab, Department of Instrumental Music, Rabindra Bharati University.

Ustad Vishmadev Chattopadhyay’s Sincere Admiration for Jnanendra Prasad Goswami

Told by Sri Jayanta Chattopadhyay
Obtained by Rajeswary Ganguly Banerjee
Date 23rd March, 2017
Place S.A.P. Lab, Instrumental Department, Rabindra Bharati University, B.T. Road Campus.
About the speaker Renowned Vocalist and Musicologist, Son of Legendary Musician Ustad Vishmadev Chattopadhyay.
Tags Vivekananda Road, Jnanendra Prasad Goswami, Gouribala Debi, Sarkar Lane, Maniktala, Vishmadev Chattopadhyay, Bishnupur, Gharana, 1930
Language Bengali

Sri Jayanta Chattopadhyay speaks :

Text version:

?????????, ?????? ?? ????? ???, ?????????? ???, ?????? ????? ???? ?? ?? ???????? ???? ???? ??????? ?????? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ?????, ?????? ???-????? ??? ?????? ??? ?????? ???????? ???? ????????? ?? ?????????? ???? ??? ?? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ????????? ???????? ????????, ??? ?????? ???? ????? ?????, ?? ?????? ??? ????? ?? ????????? ?? ?????:?????? ???????, ?? ??????? ??? ??? ????? ???? ?? ?????? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ????, ??? ???????? ??? ????, ???? ???? ??? ????? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ?? ?????? ?????, ??? ????? ?????? ?? ???????? ??? ??? ?????, ??? ??? ???? ???? ????? ??? ?????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???????,(???)??? ????? ??? ?????? ??????????,?????? ???? ???? ??? ????, ???????????? ????

?? ??? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ????? ??-‘????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ????, ?????? ?? ????????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ?????? ???????? ???? ??? ??????? ????’? ?? ????? ?? ‘?? ????? ??? ??? ???? ???????? ?? ???????’? ?? ????????? ?????-‘?? ??????? ?????? ?????? ???? ??????? ????? ??? ????? ??? ????????? ???? ??????? ?????, ???? ???? ??-‘?? ????? ???, ????? ??? ???’?(??? ??????)????? ??- ??? (????????? ?????)- ‘?? ?? ???????? ????????????’? ???? ?? ??? ???????, ????????? ?????? ??? ???? ???, ???????? ?????, ????? ???? ??? ???????????, ??? ????? ????? ???? ?? ???????? ??????? ????????? ???? ??? ??????, ??? ?????? ?? ??????, ???????? ???? ??????? ??????? ??? ????? ??? ??????? ???????

??? ???????-????????

???????-?? ???, ??????? ????? ????

Verbatim by: Dr. Suranjita Paul

Data processed at SAP-DRS Lab, Department of Instrumental Music, Rabindra Bharati University.