Pandit Debi Prasad Chatterjee
is a distinguished name among Indian musicians as an
outstanding Sitarist and a highly regarded teacher of
Indian Classical Music. He is widely respected for his
devotion to music and his control over the Ragas with
systematic exploration which has placed him among the
top instrumentalists of his era.
Training :
Born in Calcutta, hailing from a family of rich cultural
and musical heritage that has produced musicians like
Pandit Anindo Chatterjee (Tabla), he developed a
distinct and unique style of his own after receiving
extensive training from various Maestros. He learnt his
first Sitar-lessons from his elder brother Late Pandit
Biswanath Chatterjee and Late Pandit Aparesh Chatterjee.
From 1965, he received extensive training from the
Legendary Sitar Maestro Late Pandit Nikhil Banerjee for
20 years – while also receiving extensive training from
Smt. Annapurna Devi. Since 1986, he became the “Ganda
Bandhan Disciple” of the World Famous Maestro and Living
Legend Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.
Performance Profile :
Pt. Chatterjee belongs to the Senia Maihar Gharana and
draws inspiration from the playing style of Pt. Nikhil
Banerjee. For many years he has been successfully
performing in major Music Concerts all over India and
abroad. In India, he was invited to perform in all major
Music Conferences namely Dover Lane Music Conference,
Tansen Music Conference, Sadarang Music Conference,
Radio Sangeet Sammelan, National Programme of Music at
All India Radio & Doordarshan (TV), Bishya Banga
Sammelan etc. Overseas, he took part in North America
Bengali Conference (NABC), Art Festival of India in
Canada, Lowell Folk Festival and International Folk
Festival in U.S.A. and also performed in numerous
concerts across U.S.A., Australia, Canada, UK, Germany,
Switzerland, Holland, Italy, France, Austria, Iceland,
Ireland, Belgium and Luxemburg to propagate Indian
Classical Music in the western World. In numerous
occasions Pt. Chatterjee has represented India at major
music festivals around the world like the Inter Cultural
School of Music in Venice, Italy. Recently Pt. Debi
Prasad Chatterjee has performed at the Bangla Utsav
2007, Edmonton, Canada (Link-BanglaUtsab2007/DPC)
Titles & Awards :
" President's Award " received from the President
of India Dr. S. Radhakrisnan at
Delhi in 1962.
" SUR MANI " Title awarded from SUR SINGAR SAMSAD,
Bombay - in 1970.
" DISARI " Title awarded as Best Artist for the
years 1974 & 1997 by the West Bengal
Journalists' Association.
Academic Credentials :
From 1977-2001, Debi Prasad Chatterjee was the Professor
of Rabindra Bharati University, Calcutta, and held the
position of the Head of The Department of Instrumental
Music & Percussion from 1995-2001. He has conducted
numerous workshops and demonstrations on Hindustani
Music & its techniques - at many Universities and
Institutions in India and abroad, including, University
of Pennsylvania, University of Central Florida,
University of Texas at Austin in U.S.A., International
Institute for Music Comparative Studies (Berlin). He has
also guided many research Scholars to obtain their
Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.) and has trained a number of his
disciples to a successful career in Indian Classical
Music, who are now credibly performing all over the
world. Currently he has numerous students both in India
and abroad who are learning the art of playing the Sitar
and other instruments under his able guidance. He has
also authored a book on the evolution of Sitar named
“Sitar - Sekal Ekal” (Sitar’s Past and Present). The
book presents the history of Sitar and it’s gradual
transformation over the years; explains the anatomy of
Sitar; basics of tuning the instrument; relationship of
different “Ragas” with life; choice of Raga w.r.t.
seasonality and various time spans of the day and night.
Offices held :
For many years he has successfully held responsible
positions at different levels namely as Examiner and
Moderator for Doctor of Music, Master of Arts (Music)
programs as well as being on the Selection Committee of
many reputed Universities like Delhi University, Benaras
Hindu University (BHU), Burdwan University, Rabindra
Bharati University, Selection Committee of National
Scholars, Govt. of India, Staff Artist Selection
Committee & Local Audition Committee of All India Radio,
Govt. of India and Audition Committee, Doordarshan
(Indian National TV channel) and many more.
Awards & Recognitions
: Debi Prasad
Chatterjee is a "Top Grade Artist" of All
India Radio and Doordarshan (Indian National Television), he has been
honored with various titles and awards throughout his
illustrious career. Some of his key achievements are,
receiving the Indian 'President’s Award' as an
outstanding Sitar artist as well as “National Scholar of
Music” for his contributions in Indian Classical Music.
Discography :
Debi Prasad Chatterjee has released numerous CDs to his
credit that have been widely appreciated by music lovers
all over the world. He also has the rare distinction of
playing in the background scores in timeless Classic
Hindi movies namely “Aradhana”, “Kati Patang”, “Amar
Prem” etc. working with legendary Music Directors &
Musicians namely S.D. Burman, R. D. Burman and many
more. He has also played and recorded in ‘Shankarscope”
composed by famous dancer Uday Shankar (brother of
Living Legend Pandit Ravi Shankar). He is loved by all
musicians, music lovers and music critics for his
mesmerizing music.
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