We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Indrajit Banerjee a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Indrajit, thanks for joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?
My father, Shyamal Kumar Banerjee put me in one of the best schools in Kolkata even though it was expensive. He also gave me the opportunity to learn music by enrolling me in music lessons and encouraging me to take up music as a career despite the fact that it was not a lucrative profession at that time. My mother was also a professional sitar player. She passed away when I was seven. Listening to her music inspired me from birth. I also played the sitar she left behind for many years.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers
I started my career as a solo sitarist. I joined Cine Music Association of Kolkata just after graduation from college as a premium session musician and recording artist. I also got approved as an A-grade artist of National Radio and Television and became a delegate artist of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR). After this, I started touring professionally. My first tour of England was in 1998. I have been touring professionally since then, in Asia, Middle East, America, Europe, etc. Some notable highlights in my discography include two solo sitar albums, Srishti, and Inner Heights. I have collaborated on four notable albums, one with the band Lettuce (Elevate, a vinyl), one with Jeff Coffin (Dream Shanti), and with Flat Earth Ensemble (Flat Planet), and with Atash (Everything is Music). These four albums have received rave reviews.
What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?
One way that I have gained new students to attend classes at the school of Indian Classical Music which I direct (Antara School of Indian Classical Music, www.antaraschool.com) is through producing high quality instructional DVDs explaining sitar techniques and how to improvise on sitar within the context of various ragas. These DVDs are part of a series called Sitar Performance Series and have sold all over the world to sitar students and enthusiasts.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
When I first came from India to the US, I was more of a purist and solo performer of Indian Classical Ragas in a traditional format. My recitals were traditional. Then I met musicians and great artists from many genres while living in Austin, Texas. I changed my perspective on music in general. To blend in, I tried to be a good listener, and combine styles of Indian Classical Music with other traditions. To have a musical conversation with other genres, I needed to find a common platform. I could then play with different genres of music, as well as create my own compositions with the inspiration of other genres.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.indrajitbanerjee.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/indrajitsitar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndrajitBanerjeeSitarMaestro
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/indiasitar
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AScxxhAHOE
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5d8LGPLW6KYbHqunFDAx2j
Image Credits
Picture Credit: Amitava Sarkar