Contribution Of Itc Sangeet Research Academy In Kolkata

By Author: Subhra Guha
Total Articles: 6
Comment this article

The almost lost art of Hindustani Classical Music has revived its extinction mostly due to the dedication of many a Hindustani Classical Music singer in Kolkata and also due to its followers in the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata. Surviving in our country from the age of the Samvedas, through dialects and singing variations (“gayaki”) of different casts of many nations, Hinudstani Music has evolved. But, due to the lack of proper documentation and consistent improvisations in the tongues of singers of different regions, it had become a dying art.


The cultural groups of the entire country were unanimous in bringing the Classical art-form back from its exile. Only then, in the year 1971, ITC became involved in this movement, through spreading nation-wide invitations for a Classical Music concert hosted in Delhi. After its huge success, with the goal of preserving, researching and popularizing Hindustani classical music, ITC built the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata in 1977. From among the prestigious Hindustani Classical Music singer in Kolkata and the whole country, the faculties at ITC-SRA ...
... were chosen.


From then on ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata has been the nurturing ground of Hindustani Classical music. Many a Hindustani Classical Music singer in Kolkata has risen from this respected institute and holding their hand, the music form itself has also gained a new life. With proper documentation and following the past tradition of “Guru-Shishya” in a research based modern “Gurukul”, ITC has played a pioneering role in the biggest privatized approach of preserving a music form.


Among the many Hindustani Classical Music singer in Kolkata who have passed from this institute, is the famous “Vidushi” Subhra Guha of the Agra “Gharana”. With her exquisite tunefulness and malleable voice quality, she has molded “khayal” recitals to become her strong genre. After receiving training under Late Pandit Sunil Bose, Late Pandit K. G. Ginde, Late Pandit D T Joshi and also Pandit Vijay Kichlu, she is now one of the faculty members in ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata.


Her exclusive “gayaki” is enriched with a delicate blend of “vidya” and impeccable “raagdari”. The mesmerizing “bol-bants” and “taans”, an open-throated “akar” and expertise to control “laya” are some of the other features of it. She is not only familiar with “khayal” but known for her “thumri” recitals as well, especially the one in “Poorab Ang”. While teaching at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata, she has also been performing abroad regularly, in countries such as: USA, Canada, Bangladesh, Germany and many more. Being one of the leading Hindustani Classical Music singer in Kolkata, she is a consistent performer in the All India Radio (“Akashvani”).


Her fame has taken her to London very recently in the role of a professor visiting for Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. She has also released her albums under big banner names such as: HMV, SaReGaMa and Music Today along with many other recording studios stationed in USA.

About Author : -

Subhra Guha was trained in Kirana Gharana by her revered teachers Late Subhananda Bera and Late Pintu Poddar. Thereafter she received music lessons from Late Ustad Amir Khan's disciple and accompanist Pandit Ujjal Pahari. She has perfect knowledge in adhunik thumri song and become an excellent Hindustani Classical Music singer in Kolkata. For more info you may visit http://www.subhraguha.co/