Pandit Bhimsen Joshi once said “Kaushiki Chakrabarty is one of the very few classical vocalists who will make a mark in the 21st century. The qualities which had given rise to this level of praise were certainly evident in her captivating performances of Khayal singing at the Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch London in August 2003>
Born in 1980 in the campus of Sangeet Research academy Kolkata, Kaushiki’s training began at the age of two under her mother Chandra Chakrabarty. Soon Kaushiki become a “ganda-bandh” Shagird (disciple) of her father’s guru, Gnan Prakash Ghosh but on account of his old age resumed training under her father pandit Ajay Chakrabarty. This helped her shape up to be the versatile artist she is today.
One of the central tenets of Kaushiki’s music is voice culture. She doesn’t like to be typecast into grooves like classical or light musician her flexible voice demonstrates a capability of adapting to any style. Kaushiki recently performed at the celebration of Pandit Jasraj’s distinguished musical career in Kolkata. Her performances moved Jasrajji so much that it prompted him to announce that it was it Kaushiki that he found the one who would keep the lamp burning as the worthiest successor of the classical vocal music tradition of India.
Her album pure released on Times Music consists of live recordings of a concert of the Queen’s theatre Hornchurch, Kaushiki began this concert performances with a Khayal composition in Raag Madhuvanti a raag with calming and peaceful qualities usually rendered in the late afternoon. Khayal is the main Hindustani classical music genre and in Hindi it literally means imagination or thought. She started with a short alp skillfully outlining characteristic phrases of the raag sung to the backdrop of the Tanpura Drone. This was followed by the composition Shyam Bhaee Ghanshyam nahi are more dware’ which was set to a slow rhythmic cycle of twelve beats (ektaal) played on tabla. The composition ‘Kahe mann karo Sakhiri ab’ was sung in teentaal a medium tempo rhythmic cycle of sixteen beasts Kaushiki concluded the performances with a devotional thumri ‘Morey Saiyan Bedardi’ Thumri which is a singer to take a more flexible approach to the raag. Yogesh Samsi Pandit Ajay Chakrabarty Sri Chiranjib Chakrabarty and Ranjana Ghatak Accompained Kaushiki in this concert. The performances left a great impact on its audience and its grace and beauty will surely leave you spellbound.
Kaushiki Chakrabarty is the one young classical vocalist everyone should listen to. Purity of voice excellent control maturity and a deep sensitivity demonstrate that this album is a milestone in the development of a great talent within India’s rich vocal heritage.
Kaushiki Chakrabarty is one of the very few classical vocalists who will make a mark in the 21st century
Tabla accompanist – Yogesh Samsi Harmonium Accompanist – Pt. Chakrabarty and Sri Chiranjib Chakraborty Tanpura Accompanist – Ranjana Ghatak
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