One of the unparalleled music ambassadors, India has contributed to the world is Santoor Maestro Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya. He has been for the last 30 years a potential flag bearer of Indian classical music at top notch world concerts, from Royal Albert Hall to Kremlin (Russia), to Palace-de-beaux (Brussels) to Theater- De-La-Ville (France) to Apollo Theatre (Spain) to Jubilee auditorium (Canada), etc. having an endless list of mesmerized audience from Prince Charles to late George Harrison to Paolo Solaris, etc.
Being the only Santoor Maestro from the famous Maihar Gharana, Pandit Bhattacharya has revolutionized Santoor, the instrument, as well as it style of playing. He is known as the first champion (1980) who proved that one could ‘meend’ or glide notes at the lower octave in a hammered instrument like Santoor. Pandit Bhattacharya is also know for the invention of “mankas” or fine tuners that help in the tuning of this 100 stringed instrument fast, with a long lasting effect and a very high degree of accuracy. His innovative techniques of playing the Santoor also facilitates in the playing of “KRINTANS, EKHARATANS, BOLTANS, etc.” thus broadening the utility of the Santoor in various traditional arts. Furthermore, his improvisation on the shape and string arrangements produces deeper and more classical sound for the Santoor. Pandit Bhattacharya is recognized the world over for his Ragdari, as well as, Layakari (mathematical calculations) and plays music that touch the soul. The sounds from his Santoor thrill all generations young or old, connoisseurs or the common man, and from any country. Pandit Bhattacharya has released over 60 CDs and Cassettes. He has been the recipient of numerous felicitations like pre Grammy nomination in 97, excellence in world music USA, and his CD “Kirwani” has been acclaimed as the top 10 in the world. Pt. Bhattacharya received his talim (music instructions) from his father Pt. Rabi Bhattacharya, Pt. Dulal Roy and finally from the great Bharat Ratna Pt. Ravi Shankar.
Pandit Bhattacharya is a Visiting Professor at the Nupur Dance Academy.
Sudhir Narain is an accomplished Ghazal, Bhajan, Semi-Classical singer from Agra, India. Trained under the able guidance of Late Ustad Shabbir Ahmed Khan of Agra Gharana, Sudhir has entertained audiences all over India and appears in various art and music festivals in India like Taj Mahotsav in Agra, Jhansi Mahotsav, Ramayan Mela in Ayodhya, Kumbh mela in Allahabad and Haridwar. His fame is well established in Europe, Canada, and the United States. Sudhir has several ghazal CD's through HMV. Sudhir Narain is intimately involved in NDA concerts and performances. Sudhir Naraian is also the owner and director of Harmony Music, Company in Agra, India.
Ranjeet Pathak is an eminent Santoor musical instrumental artist of India. Ranjeet started his training in Santoor at the tender age of six under the guidance of his father Shri Devchandra Pathak, himself a well renowned musician on Tabla. Ranjeet is the grandson of the late Padamashri Pandit Shiyaram Tiwari. Ranjeet has had the privilege of learning under the guidance of Santoor Maestro Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya (in the tradition of guru-disciple system). Maestro Bhattacharya is the sole Santoor instrumental artist of Maihar Gharana established by late Baba Allauddin in late 19th century, and later led by Pandit Ravi Shankar. Ranjeet is an established prominent artist of India. He has been a feature as a regular classical musician on All India Radio, Zee TV, and Sahara TV. He is a graded artist from All India Radio, Mumbai. Ranjeet is uniquely gifted in Indian Vocal Classical Music performing simultaneously on the Santoor and singing classical ragas. Ranjeet has received numerous awards, one of which is the highly reputable Sur Mani award he received in 2004 from Sur Singar Samshad and Sangeet Ratan form Los Angeles, USA. Playing the Santoor is no small feature in itself. Ranjeet. Ranjeet has performed extensively in India, Spain, Holland, and the USA. In Europe, he is well known for his contributions to the fusion of western and eastern music. He has developed musical scores that have fascinated, tantalized, and gained respect from audiences young and old. He is considered a genius in some circles. Ranjeet is intimately involved with the Nupur Dance Academy (NDA).
Ajeet Pathak is an eminent master of “Tabla” musical instrumental artist of India. Ajeet also started his training in Tabla at the tender age of six under the guidance of his father Shri Deochandra Pathak, himself a well renowned musician on the Tabla. Ajeet is the grandson of the late Padamashri (Highest Musical Presidential Title) Pandit Shiyaram Tiwari. Ajeet has had the privilege of learning under the guidance of Tabla Maestro Padam Vibhusan Pandit Kishan Maharaj (in the tradition of guru-disciple system). Maestro Pandit Kishan Maharaj plays Tabla in Banaras Tradition. Ajeet is currently a disciple of the renouned Tabla Maestro Ustad Sabir Kahn (son of Ustad Karamatullah Khan sahib and grandson of Ustad Masit Khan sahib) of Farukhabad Garana. Ajeet is an established prominent artist of India. He has been featured as a regular classical musician on All India Radio, Zee TV, and Sahara TV. He is a graded artist from All India Radio, Mumbai. Ajeet has performed extensively in India, Spain, Holland, and the USA. Ajeet has been awarder Taal Mani from Sur Singar Samsad Mumbai, HMV award, and Taal Ratan from Los Angeles, USA. Ajeet has accompanied many world renowned artists in Indian Classical Music, such as, Padmashre Pt. Siyaram Tiwari, late Padmavibhushan Pt. V.G. Jog, Padmabhusan Dr. N. Rajam, Padmabhushan Pt. Ramnarayan, Padmashree Satish Vyas, Kala Ramnath Pt. Ronu Majumdar, Pt.Tarun Bhattacarya, Sangeeta Shanker and Ghazal singer Gulam Ali, and Rajkumar Rizvi just to name a few.
Ajeet is intimately involved in all NDA activites, including practices, lessons, and performances.
Subrata Bhattacharya, is an eminent tabla player and artist who is dedicated to Indian Classical Music. He has gained recognition and acclaim among concert audiences. He received his initial taalim from Shri Tamal Krishna Chatterjee. He went on to gain proficiency under Shri Tapan Kr. Banerjee before he was finally accepted as a pupil of tabla maestro Pt. Shankar Ghosh. He is a worthy exponent of the Farukhabad Gharana. He has received numerous awards, the Sangeet Prabhankar, Gold Medal, and Saangeet Praveen from Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahadad. He also received the Sangeet Bhushan from the Bhatkhande College, Lucknow. He has to his credit numerous performances at some of the most perstigious venues in India and abroad. Audiences at the Dover Lane Music Conference (periodicals), ITC Sangeet Sammelan Calcutta, Gunidas Sangeet Sammelan, Salt Lake Music Festival, Bhawanipur Sangeet Sammelan, Dakhini Sangeet Sammelan, Golpark Rama Krishna Mission Annual Music Conference, Calcutta. He is a graded artist of All India Radio, Calcutta. He has also performed in Sparsh in Lucknow, at the National Center for Performing Arts Mumbai,and at the India International Center Delhi. Subrata has impressesd audiences in the USA, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. Subrata has accompanied many top artists and maestro's in Indian Classical Music, including: Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Dr. L. Subramaniam, Pt. Buddhaditya Mukherjee, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, Ustad Ali Ahmed Hussain, Pt. Tarun Bhattacharya, and Pt. Ronu Majumdar. Subrata's solo renderings show his knowledge and his creativity at their best. His accompaniment reveals his command over the tabla and his comprehension of the intricacies of the notes and sounds of Indian Classical Music. Subrata is the founder of "Naad- The Everlasting Sound", a group that experiments with fusion music.