To popularize Indian Classical Music amongst the youth the Consulate has launched new initiative titled “Baithak@Consulate” which features prominent artists and masters. For the second event in the series we teamed up with Suromurchhana to present Pandit Sanjoy Banerjee, one of the finest vocalists of international repute from India and a distinguished exponent of the Kirana Gharana of North Indian Vocal Classical Music. Sanjoy Banerjee was a scholar at ITC Sangeet Research Academy under the guidance of Late Pt. A.T. Kanan and Sangeet Bidushi Late Malabika Kanan, who considered him as their successor to their musical heritage. With his sonorous and unwavering voice he has enthralled audiences at home and abroad, performing extensively in the UK, Germany, Bangladesh, Canada, USA and within India. He has received many awards and is also a successful Guru, teaching at his own institution – Kolkata Suromurchhana in India, and at Chhandayan Center of Indian Music, New York, producing students who have already earned appreciation.
Accompanying Pt. Sanjoy Banerjee were Dibyarka Chatterjee – tabla, Rohan Prabhudesai – harmonium and Andrew Shantz & Dibyokalyan Basu on vocal support. Through his soulful presentation and improvisations, combined with mastery over sargams, taans, and renditions of Khayal, Sanjoy Banerjee explored the evening ragas, the melodic beauty and majestic splendor which evoked deep emotions within his listeners.