A S O L O I N D I A N C L A S S I C A L H A R M O N I U M P L A Y E R

Suvendu Banerjee

About me

I belong to a “Gharana”(heritage) which is the pathfinder of solo Harmonium playing in India. My great great

grandfather Sangeetacharya Montu Banerjee introduced the new style of harmonium playing which had the

illusion of “Meend” (extension of notes) which was almost an impossible task. The correct blend of “Layakari” (Rhythm section) and “Raagdari” (Raaga section) made Harmonium an equally strong instrument as Sitar and

Sarod. My grandfather Pandit Deb Kumar Banerjee introduced the “Gayaki” (Vocal nuances) to our ghrana

which made our style of harmonium playing even more appealing. I have been learning harmonium from my

grandfather since the age of 7. I had rigorous sessions of “Talim”(learning) as well as “Reyaaz”(practice) every day under the strict guidance of my grandfather. Prior to this, in order to enhance my rhythm sense, I learnt

Tabla from legends like Ustad Sabir Khan, Pandit Shankar Ghosh and Sri Bickram Ghosh. I have also taken

vocal training from Pandit Kumar Prasad Mukherjee. Since childhood I had the privilege of meeting musical

maestros like Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty and

many more, and got their blessings. I have had the honour to be very close to Padmabhushan Sri Manna Dey

since my childhood. Eminent music director duo Kalyanji- Anandji (Bollywood) invited me to Mumbai where I

had the fortune to perform under their banner “The Small Wonders”. I have completed my MSc in Advanced

Computer Science from the University of Manchester (2010 -2011). I want to establish my “Gharana”, my instrument Harmonium, and myself in the global arena of Indian Classical Music. I want to win the hearts of

millions of music lovers throughout the world, and establish my instrument Harmonium, as a solo instrument.

Accolades & Albums

My album, MAGIC BLACK BOX, has been released by Orion Music Company where Pandit

Subhankar Banerjee had accompanied me on the Tabla.I have an online release of Harmonium-

Sarod duet with Dr. Avijit Ghosh which was produced by Twaang. I have been featured in two of

the documentary films made on harmonium; one of which was about my Gharana (tradition of

music) & family called the Musical Black Box and the other one was made by the Honourable

Government of India on the instrument Harmonium. I am an empanelled artist of Indian Council

for Cultural Relations (ICCR). I stood first at the state level competition organised by the

Government of West Bengal in the Solo Harmonium category.I got I.C.C.R. empanellment in the

year 2010-11.

Performances

Sangeet Research Academy

Rajya Sangeet Academy(West Bengal Govt)

Indo Occidental Symbiosis

Doverlane Music Conference

BAMNI Liverpool

Small Wonders(Mumbai Oberoi Towers)

Live in Series

Indian Habitat Centre (Delhi)

Ramkrishna Mission Institute of Culture

Sangeet Bhaban, Shantiniketan

East Kolkata Music Festival

Motto

Harmonium is an instrument which is French and British by origin.I want to establish

Harmonium as an Indian Classical solo instrument throughout the world. I wish to make the

world aware of the fact that even a “Black Box” can mesmerize numerous music loving people by its amazing capabilities. A blend of melody, speed and accuracy is optimally

portrayed by Harmonium. So a good projection of Harmonium in the global scenario can

make wonders in the musical world. I would love to share my knowledge and expertise to all

those who are keen to know about this instrument and embrace it with love and devotion.

Photo album

Sangeetacharya Montu Banerjee (My great-great grand father)

Pandit Deb Kumar Banerjee (My grandfather & Guru)

Photo album

Youtube & soundcloud

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbXQQccK5x4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pKz-rXK-IdU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_i10r4LCi4U

https://soundcloud.com/suvendubanerjee/raaga-desh-by-suvendu-banerjee

https://soundcloud.com/suvendubanerjee/kafi-kandan-drut-teen-taal

Contact

Address:

164,Harish Mukherjee Road

Kolkata-700026

West Bengal

India

Tel : +919163637658 / 033-24543983

Email : dadam_1986@yahoo.co.in

Skype ID: harmoniumsuvendu

Website: www.harmoniumsuvendu.webs.com

Thank you !