Pandit Shantanu Bhattacharyya
Pandit Shantanu Bhattacharyya is one of the finest vocalists in Hindustani Raag Sangeet today. He came first in both Khayal and Thumri categories in the Akashbani Music Competition at the age of 20, and achieved the Top Grade designation from Prasar Bharati early in his career.
Initiated into music by his mother, Ira Bhattacharyya, Shantanu received further training from Sukhendu Goswami and received extensive taalim from the stalwarts Pandit Prasun Banerjee and Vidushi Meera Banerjee, both of whom had studied under the late Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, the legendary exponent of Patiala gharana singing style. Shantanu also studied with Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata.
Shantanu has sung at many major festivals in India, such as the Harivallabh Sangeet Sammelan, Allauddin Khan Smriti Samaroh, and Sangeet Natak Akademi Festival, to name a few. He is featured regularly on radio and TV, and has travelled widely in Canada, the USA, UK, France, Italy, Finland, Germany, Australia and Singapore.
He has conducted music workshops at schools all over the world, composed numerous Raag-based ensemble compositions, written articles for journals and books, composed devotional songs and meditation music, and released CDs.
Shantanu Bhattacharyya’s music school, Aalor Pathe Raga Dhwani in Kolkata, has won accolades from one and all for the brilliant performances of the young pupils learning under him in the guru-shishya tradition.