This fortnight marks the twentieth anniversary of Kalabharati, the performing arts wing of Karnataka Sangha. The institution was developed to bridge communal barriers in riot-stricken Bombay after the demolition of the Babri Masjid. “Music is a bonding factor and it acts as an adhesive to keep the people together,” said Sadanand Shetty, the organisation’s then president. 

To mark their anniversary, Kalabharati will keep alive their motto of focusing on young talent. The performers at the celebration concert will feature 23-year-old sitar player Chintan Katti and 31-year-old vocalist Pritam Bhattacharjee. The sitarist, a native of the city, trained with his father Shashank Katti, a veteran teacher. In fact, the younger generation of the Katti family is entirely made up of sitar players. But Katti’s interest also lies in fusion music. He has his own band, Urja, which regularly performs all over the city. Their music is a blend of Indian classical and Hindi pop and rock, and English rock. 

The second musician of the concert, Bhattacharjee used to be a child prodigy. The Assamese singer trained with his mother, Manjushree, in the Kirana style of music, but he has always had a great love for the Mewari gharana form, especially the legendary singer, Jasraj. Bhattacharjee recalled, “In 1995, Jasrajji had come to Silchar for a performance. I got an opportunity to sing the raga Puriya for him.” This performance earned Bhattacharjee an opportunity to train with the maestro. The young vocalist then trained with his mentor in Mumbai for years and also accompanied him in several concerts.  

Bhattacharjee, who now resides in the US, won the all-India level competition organised by the New York-based Vedic Heritage when he was just 25. The institution, founded in 1979, has been striving to spread Vedic values through several spheres, one of them being music. Bhattacharjee now tours and sings all over his adopted homeland. “My biggest gratification was that Ustad Zakir Hussain asked me to perform before his own item in Kansas city,” said Bhattacharjee. “I am fortunate to receive his blessings.” The deep-voiced vocalist is one of the rare musicians to compose his own tracks and has a repertoire spanning 400 songs. For his upcoming performance, Bhattacharjee will receive harmonium and tabla support. The former will be provided by Siddhesh Bicholkar, a musician known for his steady melodic accompaniment. Bhushan Parchure will play percussion. He has been a student of Alla Rakha Khan and currently teaches at the Fine Arts Society in Chembur.

Karnataka Sangha Sun Mar 24.