Music Conferences of Kolkata in 1960’S –A portrayal by Pandit Shyamal Lahiri

Told by Pandit Shyamal Lahiri and Smt Mandira Lahiri
Obtained by Rajeswary Ganguly Banerjee
Date 7th May, 2017
Place Shyamal Lahiris Residence at Chandi Ghosh Road, Kudghat.
About the speaker Renowned Vocalist, Son of Legendary Musician Pandit Chinmoy Lahiri
Tags Music Conference, Mahajati Sadan, Indira Hall, Sadarang Sangeet Sammelan, Surdas Sangeet Sammelan, North Calcutta Sangeet Festival, Rabindra Sadan, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Chinmoy Lahiri, 1960’S
Language Bengali

Pandit Shyamal Lahiri speaks :

Verbatim:

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

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

Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan

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

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

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

 

Verbatim: Rajeswary Ganguly Banerjee

Translation:

 If you could share something about his legendary performances at the various music conferences in Kolkata.

SL: So, at that time, there were a number of music conferences which were held in Kolkata. The main venue was Mahajati Sadan. Indira was one venue as well. The Tansen Music Conference used to be held at Indira. The Sadarang Music Conference used to be held at Mahajati Sadan, as was Surdas and the North Calcutta Music Festival.

Not at Rabindra Sadan?

SL: No. Rabindra Sadan hadn’t been constructed yet. It was built later. During those days, loudspeakers were set up outside the venues as well. People used to sit outside and listen to the music. All the stalwarts of music used to perform. Bade Gulam Ali Khan used to perform. My father was there, of course, as were other great musicians of India. Naturally, everyone couldn’t get hold of tickets. So they set up loudspeakers outside. Later, this stopped because of problems of transport. At night there could be extra buses.

This is in the ‘60s?

SL:Yes.
Translator: Sarbajaya Bhattacharya

Picture Courtesy: Google

https://www.google.com/search?q=Ustad+Bade+Ghulam+Ali+Khan&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjwwvOinMvbAhXXWysKHS4CAuIQ_AUICigB&biw=1366&bih=631#imgrc=wo8sj8e8ZfNNTM

Edited & Designed: Ms. Rajeswary Ganguly Banerjee

 

 

 

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