Dehradun: SPIC MACAY organised a lecture-demonstration by renowned Sitar player Sahana Banerjee at Moravian Institute, here, today. Accompanied by Pt Mithilesh Jha on the tabla, Sahana Banerjee presented a mesmerising performance that left the audience spellbound. Sahana Banerjee is an accomplished sitar player born into a musical family of Kolkata. She received her initial training from her father, Pt Shibsankar Banerjee, and later from Pt Buddhadev Das Gupta. She has won several awards, including the prestigious Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar, awarded by the Sangeet Natak Academy, New Delhi. Sahana Banerjee is known for her technical virtuosity and soulful renditions.
Pt Mithilesh Kumar Jha is an accomplished tabla player. He has performed solo and with renowned artists, receiving state and national awards.Earlier, during her circuit, she also performed at the Doon International School Riverside and the Indian Institute of Petroleum. She will be performing at Shri Ram Centennial School and Central Academy for State Forest Services on 26 April. During her performances, she played Raga Shudh Sarang, Raag Yaman, Raga Miyan ki Todi and Raag Tilak Kamod. She also played the Baul ang of the famous Tagore song, ‘Bhenge Mor Ghorer Chhabi’, and improvised it in Khamaj. She concluded with a lively interactive session with the students, during which she spoke about the origin of the sitar and how a sitar is made.
One of the spectators, Jyoti, said, “Sahana Banerjee’s sitar performance was truly mesmerising and transported us to another world. It was an amazing opportunity to witness such a talented artist and learn more about Indian classical music and culture.” The programme was well-attended by the students and faculty of the schools, who were thoroughly impressed by the performance.
