Lineage:

Learnt from father Sri. Parthapratim Chatterjee who is a well known sitarist and disciple of Pt. Nikhil Banerjee and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan

For the last few years has been receiving taalim (training) from Ustad Ali Akbar Khan

Is one of the brightest shining stars of the Senia Maihar Gharana playing the unique and incomparable of style of Pt. Nikhil Banerjee.

Career graph:

Performed in practically all major “music conferences” in India (these conferences annually feature the greatest Indian musicians. Some selected ones are: Shankarlal Festival Delhi, Sawai Gandharva Pune, Odyssey Calcutta, Tan Sen Samaroha Gwalior, Saptak Ahmedabad, Pt Motiram and Pt. Maniram Conference, Hyderabad , Bangalore Sangeet Sabha, Sankat Mochan and Ganga Mahotsav Varanasi, Vrindavan Mumbai presented by Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, Prayag Sangeet Samiti, Allahabad, Bhatkhande Mahotsav Lucknow etc.

Performed in some of the most prestigious international festivals internationally which also feature some of the most famous musicians of the world. Some selected ones are: International Music Festival in Bath England, The International Brighton Festival UK, and International Music Symposium in Germany, Millenium Festival WDR Koln featuring 3 generations of Indian musicians, Music Festival presented by Government of India in Kathmandu Nepal and Dhaka Bangladesh

Performed in the following countries: United States, Canada, UK, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Italy, France, Belgium, South Africa, Seychelles, Bahrain, Middle East, Trinidad & Tobago in Carrebean, Indonesia and Singapore, Nepal, Bangladesh. Concerts have been in some of the most prestigious venues like Queen Elizabeth Hall London etc.

Awards and Recognition:

Presidents Award – given by the President of India in 1993

Rotary Award – sponsored by Rasoi given by Rotary International 1995

Pt. Ravi Kichlu Award – given by the Ravi Kichlu Foundation in 1995

Style of playing:


Today Purbayan is acclaimed by the top-most maestros in India as well as connoisseurs of music world-wise as one of the best young instrumentalists of our countries. His style of playing of which Pt. Nikhil Banerjee was the exponent is the most aesthetically satisfying combination of the the best facets of "Dhrupad" and "Khayal". The depth, discipline and richness of the "Dhrupad" form is interspersed with the exuberance and lyricism of "Khayal". In a unique display of maturity Purbayan is able to combine technical brilliance and virtuosity of the highest level with depth and serenity.

Experiments:

Purbayan has of late been experimenting with several types of genres of music - both within the traditions of Indian Classical music and also cross overs to other types of music. His duets with world famous violinist Kala Ramnath and world famous sarod player Partho Sarathy have won rave reviews all over the world. He also performs for an unique group called "Raga Afrika" which is a collaboration with some world famous South African musicians - among then jazz guitarist Odutayo Kunle and Lucas Khumalo and percussionist John Hassan and Frank Paco. This is a concept initiated by Purbayan and Kala Ramnath and South Africa based Nisaar Pangarker who is the producer of this group. This group has performed in some of the TOP festivals internationally like the "North Sea Jazz Festival" in Cape Town and has taken the world by storm. ALso among his other collaborations, he has worked with famous flamenco guitarist Eduardo Niebla. (Please visit:- Experiments photo gallery for pictures)