The sound of music
Acclaimed classical vocalist Kaivalya Kumar and celebrated flautist Ronu Majumdar to perform in tricity. HT City gets to know the acclaimed maestros better.
In their endeavour to preserve and propagate our rich musical heritage, the local chapter of Society for Promotion of Indian Classical Music Among Youth (Spic Macay) has organised a series of performances and lectures-cum-demonstrations for the benefit of students and art lovers of tricity. HT City gets to know the acclaimed maestros better.
Pandit Kaivalya Kumar Gurav
Hailed as the doyen of Kirana Ghrana, Pandit Kaivalaya Kumar Gurav represents the third generation of Pandit Ganapataro Gurav - direct disciple of Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, the founder of Kirana Gharana. Groomed by his father, guru Pt Sangameshwar, the Dharwad-based music genius is regarded as an outstanding vocalist of the country. Gifted with a naturally high pitched and mellifluous voice, Pandit Kaivalya Kumar is the youngest Hindustani classical vocalist to get a top grade by All India Radio and Doordarshan, at the age of 35.
Recipient of prestigious honours such as the Surmani, Pt Jasraj Gaurav Puraskar and Sarav Shreshta performer by Paris-based Raza foundation, the maestro has been credited with several music albums and brilliant performances at prestigious music festivals. Commerce graduate and expert in yoga, Pandit Kaivalya Kumar Gurav topped his university and secured a gold medal in MA Music (classical vocal).
Ronu Majumdar
One of the leading Indian flautists in the Hindustani classical music tradition, Ranendranath Majumdar, popularly known as Ronu, is a musician with love and expertise of vocal music and the flute. He received extensive training in flute from his father, Dr Bhanu Majumdar, and later learned vocal music under late Pt Laxman Prasad Jaipurwale. But his love for the flute revolted and the legendary flute maestro, Pandit Vijay Raghav Rao, groomed Ronu into a concert flautist of international eminence. He won the won President's medal for topping the All India Radio competition in 1981 and a Grammy nomination in 1996 for his work on the album, Tabula Rasa, with Bela Fleck - the American banjo virtuoso. He has also worked with Pandit Ravi Shankar in albums
such as Passages and Chants of India.
Credited with 30 audio releases, Pandit Ronu won the prestigious Aditya Vikram Birla Award in 1999. Pandit Ronu participated in the Festival of India in Moscow, Asiad '82, in New Delhi and has performed extensively in Europe, USA, Canada, Japan, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.