Nikhil Banerjee (1931-1986)
Nikhil Banerjee was one of India’s most prominent sitar masters of the 20th century. He took his training under the legendary Ustad Alauddin Khan who was passing on not only playing technique but the musical knowledge and approach of the Maihar Gharana. His interpretation of ragas was usually traditional, although he would sometimes take liberties with the raga in a moment of inspiration. In 1968, he was decorated with the Padma Shri and later was posthumously awarded the Padma Bhushan title by the Government of India in the same year as his death. Rebert Palme of The New York Times wrote of Nikhil Banerjee’s Carnegie Hall performance in November, 1985, “The extraordinary fluidity and assurance of his rhythmic ideas and phrasing set a pace and a standard that would have left most of the international ‘Stars’ of Indian music for behind”.

The album features an exquisite Sitar recital of different ragas by the maestro which will delight all lovers of Indian Classical Music.

Maestro Nikhil Banerjee (Sitar)
1. Raga Ahir Bhairav (29:39)
2. Raga Chandrakauns(29:06)