Kalyan Mukherjea, a Professor of Mathematics, is an unusual member of the Radhika Mohan Maitra stylistic lineage, which emphasizes the sarod's rhythmic/percussive aspects, as an enhancer and modernizer of the traditional idiom. While influenced by the modern vocal style of sitarist Vilayat Khan, he plays a sarod (here a copy of the original) with a rather banjo-like tone, which belonged to Maitra s Guru, Mohammed Amir Khan. Kalyan plays ragas Shuddh Kalyan and Shukla Bilawal, both of which have a peaceful, calming ambience.
A**R
Now an algebraic topologist !!
Both Kalyan Mukherjea and Budhhadev Dasgupta were students ofthe Late Radhika Prasad Maitra, a most accomplished exponentof the Sarod. While Buddhadev Dasgupta trained as an electricalengineer in addition to music, Kalyan Mukherjea is a successfulmathematician with a brilliant research and teaching career ina most erudite branch of mathematics.And this shows.Here you will hear one of the most accurate rendering of theRaga Suddh Kalyan - a very difficult raga because of itssimilarity to Bhupali. Kalyan Mukherjea learnt the nuancesof this Raga from the famous vocalist, Pandit D. T. Joshi.Although some elements of the style of Budhhadev Dasgupta isrecognizable, which persumably was handed down to both by theircommon teacher, this is embellished with unbelievable glidesand touches which are distinctly new.The overall experience is that of all pervading satisfaction.Like after a hearty meal !!
