- Pandit Nikhil Ranjan Banerjee was an Indian classical sitar player of the Maihar Gharana. Along with Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan, he emerged as one of the leading exponents of the sitar. He was a recipient of the Indian civilian honor of the Padma Bhushan.
Nikhil Banerjee Biography In English
Birth Details –
Place- Calcutta
Date of Birth – 14 October 1931
Marital Status – Married
Nationality -Indian
Family –
Father- Jitendranath Banerjee
Wife – Roma
Virgo – Devdutt
Teacher – Alauddin Khan, Mushtaq Ali Khan
Early Life And Background
- Nikhil Banerjee was born on 14 October 1931 in Calcutta. His father, Jitendranath Banerjee, was an amateur sitar player and Banerjee was fascinated by his father’s playing.
- Although he wanted to try his hand at an instrument as early as the age of four, his father and grandfather discouraged him.
- However, at the age of five, he relented and acquired a small sitar, initially learning under his father. Banerjee grew up as a child prodigy.
- He won the All India Sitar Competition and at the age of nine became the youngest musician employed by All India Radio.
- Jitendranath approached Mushtaq Ali Khan to take Nikhil on as a disciple, but only learned from this master for a few weeks.
- He is survived by his wife Roma and two daughters. His elder daughter is married into the Tagore family. His younger daughter Devdutt is a supermodel and acclaimed actress.
Training
- In 1947, Banerjee met Alauddin Khan, who was to become her chief mentor, along with his son Ali Akbar Khan. Both were sarod players. Banerjee went to Alauddin Khan’s concerts and was eager to have him as his teacher.
- Alauddin Khan did not want to take more students, but changed his mind after listening to a radio broadcast by Banerjee.
- Alauddin Khan was Banerjee’s main teacher and she also learned from Alauddin Khan’s son Ali Akbar Khan for several years after leaving Maihar.
- Alauddin Khan was also known to adjust his teaching to the strengths and weaknesses of his particular students. As a result, under his tutelage, Shankar and Banerjee developed distinct sitar styles.
Inspiration And Critical Acclaim
- Nikhil Banerjee is known for his mastery of both the melodic and rhythmic aspects of Indian music. His unique style of sitar playing is characterized by perfection, emotion and depth. His interpretation of ragas was generally traditional, although he is credited with creating at least two new ragas.
- His use of a fully “closed” or “closed” jawari in the Maihar-style sitar allowed a much greater degree of continuity than could be heard in his unique sound.
- Although his strings do not sound as “closed” as the sitar playing of Ustad Vilayat Khan, it was only because of technical differences in his physical sitar that the sitar sounded “different”.
Awards –
- Padma Bhushan
Other Information –
Date of Death – 27 January 1986
Question Related to Nikhil Banerjee Biography
What is the birth place and date of birth of Nikhil Banerjee?
Nikhil Banerjee was born on 14 October 1931 in Calcutta.
What was Nikhil Banerjee’s father’s name?
Nikhil Banerjee’s father’s name was Jitendranath Banerjee.
What was the name of Nikhil Banerjee’s wife?
Nikhil Banerjee’s wife’s name was Roma.
What was the name of Nikhil Banerjee’s daughter?
Nikhil Banerjee’s daughter’s name was Devdutt.
Which award was given to Nikhil Banerjee?
Nikhil Banerjee was honored with the Padma Bhushan award?
When did Nikhil Banerjee die?
Nikhil Banerjee died on 27 January 1986.
