Arup Ratan Mukherjee – Sitar
Shri Arup Ratan Mukherjee belongs to the next generation of musicians donning the mantle of ‘Senia-Maihar Gharana and is popular among connoisseurs of traditional Indian Classical Music. The ‘Senia-Maihar Gharana’ boasts its legacy from the school of Miya Tansen, the famous court musician of Emperor Akbar. Shri Arup Ratan Mukherjee hails from Pataliputra located in Bihar, India. He was initiated into Sitar at the age of five. Arup’s talent in sitar blossomed initially under the tutelage of his mother Smt. Nilakshi Mukherjee and from Late Arun Kumar Chatterjee. He later gained advanced training under the guidance of the Sarod Exponent Pundit Jotin Bhattacharya, wherein he developed a unique signature style which is different from many of the contemporaries yet preserving the soul of the ‘Maihar’ form of music.
Shri Arup Ratan style of music characterizes the typical ‘Maihar’ style of systematic progressions in Aalap establishing the raga. Shri Arup Ratan has been performing as a professional Sitar player for almost two decades, despite getting many accolades over the years he considers himself a music sophomore who is constantly engaged in finding new forms to evolve his music, surely a mark of a true musician. Apart from being a performing artiste he is equally passionate about preserving rich heritage of Hindustani classical music. He is the founder Trustee of “Baba Allaudin Khan Foundation Trust” which promotes activities related to diverse Indian music and is well known among music lovers and fellow musicians for providing a unique platform for aspiring musicians to showcase their talent.
Please check the link for Arupji’s concerts and contribution to Indian Music
Ganesh Balasubramaniyan – Tabla
Ganesh is the artistic director of Divine Sounds music school located in Overland park area KS. The school is dedicated to promoting Indian classical music. Ganesh is passionate about Indian classical music and has been playing Tabla for over 20 years. Ganesh leant intricacies of Hindustani classical rhythms from his guru Pundit Dattatray Kalbugi, a renowned Tabla artist from India while he lived in Singapore.
Ganesh collaborates with other musicians, he has performed for outreach programs, KC Fringe, OM International film festival, International Folk Alliance festival and other locally organized events in Kansas and Missouri for past several years, including lecture demonstration at local universities for world music. Ganesh does accompany artists from India whenever there is an opportunity. Incidentally Arupji is also Ganesh’s Sitar teacher, and musical mentor. Ganesh does teach Tabla and Sitar to young students of music in Overland park area. Ganesh is a full time executive with Cerner Corporation. |
