Budhaditya Mukherjee: Raag Shuddha Sarang

The fifth anniversary of the FEA-curated The Diwali Concert Series 2016 featured sitarist Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee of the Imdadkhani gharana in its afternoon schedule. He began his performance with a breath-taking rendition of Raag Shuddha Sarang. He was superbly accompanied by the young and very talented Soumen Nandy on tabla.

[@abhijitpathak3734]

The more I listen the more beauties and subtleties I uncover. First of all the ultimate surilapan with sitar that is so well tuned and kept tuned throughout the concert. We feel as if we are immersed in the ocean of Shuddha Sarang. The raag swaroop is so well presented with full depth and range...And what unique swara combinations ...all enhancing the beauty and experience of the late morning raag...Words fail the describe the full effect of this concert. And what a spending tabla accompaniment .. so sensitive and adaptive....By Soumen Nandy. I take pride in knowing both artists personally...

[@CulturalCrusader]

One of the best Sudh Sarangs I have heard in a long time. His depth has grown tremendously with his age, it is now at a meditative state.

[@udaishankerghosh6206]

Really Amazing & Meditative Sitar Vadan.

[@nandinibhattacharya9483]

Thank

[@saumitrakshirsagar]

so true! I became an ardent follower of Budhaditya ji since i first heard him Live in Pune around 2015

[@raghavjha4254]

Yes very nice

[@asokniyogi1356]

সুর সমৃদ্ধ বাদন কত সুন্দর ও সহজ স্বর ক্ষেপণ ওনার বাজনায় মন ভরে যায়

[@munjalparikh1743]

This, as they say, is truly the singing sitar! Well has it been observed by others here that his sitar play now is at an unparalleled level. It has reached now lofty heights, where all is ethereal and magical. It is some rarefied atmosphere here where a pure divinity exists, transforming one's being, infusing it with a sublime love! One cannot truly verbalize the beauty and bliss uncovered by this rendition, try as one might !

[@veenaiananthanarayanan4918]

Our humble pranamam to Guruji Sri Bhudaditya Saab 🙏🙏🙏 A Lifetime Musical Experience An amazing Tabla Artiste He is so blessed to have Pandit Jis blessings ❤️🎶🙏

[@DrSRanjanMBBSAcupuncturist]

Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee, Indian classical sitar and surbahar maestro ( Imdadkhani gharana) is first artist in history to perform in the House of Commons, London.

[@drlovelysharma]

Budhaditya ji's sitar always has perfection of note with it's depth. His performance is effotless & smooth. Still he is a simplest Artist. I haven't forgot his sitar recital in haridas sanget sammelan, Mathura in 1980 when i was doing MA Sitar.

[@tomfurgas2844]

Soumen Nandy is brilliantly equal to the task to meeting Pandit Mukherjee at every twist and turn in this miraculous rendition of Shuddha Sarang. Transcendent music. The filming and editing are also wonderful, and really capture the spirit and interplay of these two superb artists.

[@neilkhopkar3558]

beautifully presented Shuddha Sarang. Soumen Nandy has to be commended for his wondefully subtle and subdued accompaniment. He allows for Panditji to show the smallest gracenotes and murkis without completely letting go of the theka. Its a delight to see him step in and out of the spotlight without any disturbance to the raag and the feeling of चैन.

[@prabhattiwari7322]

100% true

[@dualityofnature]

well said:) where are you based? would be nice to meet a person with such refined aesthetics!

[@saumitrakshirsagar]

so true! I've been an admirer of Soumen ji since i first saw him perform with Budhaditya ji in Pune around in 2015

[@raghavjha4254]

True Neil Khopkar

[@ranjitbhattacharji1360]

Aami vyaktigato bhave, Budhaditya babu k dhanyabad dichchhi je onar janay i soumen babu sangeet jagate ekti vishesh parichoy payechhen. Aamar antarik shubhakamna apnader k janalam.

[@abhijitpathak3734]

I am extremely pleased to hear such an outstanding Shuddha Sarang from Pt.Budhaditya Mukherjee. I have heard his CD of Shuddha Sarang that he played nearly three decades back and he has not only maintained his highest Standards, but added to it. Soumen Nandy's sensitive Tabla vadan has greatly enhanced the musical experience.

[@abhijitpathak3734]

The more I listen the more beauties and subtleties I uncover. First of all the ultimate surilapan with sitar that is so well tuned and kept tuned throughout the concert. We feel as if we are immersed in the ocean of Shuddha Sarang. The raag swaroop is so well presented with full depth and range...And what unique swara combinations ...all enhancing the beauty and experience of the late morning raag...Words fail the describe the full effect of this concert. And what a spending tabla accompaniment .. so sensitive and adaptive....By Soumen Nandy. I take pride in knowing both artists personally...

[@drmanagoli]

Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee is electrifying!! One of India's greatest artists

[@sulaimansyed1338]

the imdadkhani gharana style really shows in his playing...the emphasis on clarity of notes...smooth gliding meends...

[@narayanprasadsengupta4452]

I am following Budhaditya's performances for a pretty long time now. His maturity is unparalleled. Vistaar ang is amazing. And what a great sound of his instrument ! Sudh Sarang has come to life.

[@HarsimranSingh-sahni]

I could listen him for hours. 🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@aurobindobanerjee7062]

A most scintillating performance, as always. The young tabla player is brilliant--is going to be a maestro in his field.

[@mysticalgerald]

I play Tabla, he is a Maestro already.

[@vaibhav._.tanwar]

Chikaari strings during jhala sounded like water drops!!! Amazing experience

[@gautamganguli1221]

This is a really spellbinding rendition of Suddha Sarang by one of the greatest exponents of the Sitar today. Thanks for uploading.

[@csanvi]

Pt. Budhaditya Mukherjee is a Sun (wont cal him a Star), who shines with gigawatts of brightness but is too far from the limelight. If only, he had been nearer , he would have been known by millions , who know other stalwarts very well. Bow!

[@kiron84]

sun is a star too! :)

[@thegenxnoob9755]

I'm a very new student to the instrument and Panditji is probably my favorite artist. I need to acquire a sitar of this style, but that is some years down the road. This is my favorite performance I've ever heard.

[@DrSDKhan]

UVK's death seems to have brought a change in Budhadityababu; the sitar sound has become more Vilayatji's of 60&70s. Depth and very measured expanse, as if he has plan, every stroke leads to something more visual

[@jasdevsingh7782]

Kya bat hai beautiful ap jubav hi nahi sir ❤❤ 🙏

[@rahulkoshy6277]

An unforgettable afternoon of music this was. Many thanks for the upload.

[@subhaschandrabiswas5553]

The best of his class.

[@DrinkingWithDebu]

Very mature BM. This SS is one of the finest not relying on pyrotechnics only. There is soul blended.

[@HarisKhan-bh6uj]

one of the best living sitar players !!

[@ashwinisriram591]

This Shudh Sarang goes straight to the heart.

[@pulkitsharma097]

Thanks a lot to the channel for sharing the video. All I can say about Pandit ji is that he is better than the best!

[@Ramatganski]

"better than the best" - I think the best are at least as good. Two of which that I am aware of are Ustad Shahid Parvez and Pandit Kushal Das. I suspect that people who think this is as good as it gets aren't aware of these two sitarists existence. So I'm just going around making sure.

[@pulkitsharma097]

Ustad Shahid ji, Pandit kushal das ji. I am very well aware of these two names, and listen to them with great joy. You mainly wanted to highlight them, right? See, firstly its a matter of personal choice. Secondly, in the world of sitar, these two names are situated very well, at least of Shahid ji. Most of the people start to listen sitar because of the charm in shahid ji's sitar. All in all if a person knows what sitar is. He knows who shahid ji is. Then Pandit kushal das ji. The Divine sitarist. We don't really hear his name that frequently, But when we talk about Budhaditya ji. Very few are their who know him. A very limited fan following. I find it similar for Pandit Nikhil Banarjee ji. Also for Ustad Abdul Haleem Jaffar khan sab. Now it becomes very similar to your concern, you want us to listen to Shahid ji. But try to understand this, he has the biggest fan following. The names mentioned above are not that familiar to the crowd. Plenty of other names are their that i have not mentioned or I haven't yet heard them! Same story for vocal, auditoriums are full when its Ustad Rashid khan sab. But what happens when its Pandit M Venkatesh ji? Or Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar ji? You, I and the crowd need to change the mindset. Broaden it and see the other colors. By what I said, I don't mean to say that anyone is above anyone. But all have their own beauty.

[@Soumitra1993]

Pulkit Sharma Immense respect for Pandit Ji. I have grown up listening to his renditions.

[@pulkitsharma097]

Have been listening to Pandit Nikhil Banerjee Ji since last two weeks. You used to take his name often during class as I remember. I try to think for the words that describe him. But all in vain. He really seemed to be a realized being for the way he used to play! Bhaiya his Aalaap, I feel like its the end of a war.. That's what I feel for his Malgunji recording!

[@Soumitra1993]

Words are not enough to describe Nikhil Banerjee ji. All his renditions. His music is beyond imagination.

[@ranjanraychaudhuri5651]

Wonderful Sitar played by pandit Budhaditya.Greatly tantalised me He is a great Sitarist.

[@tushardabral]

Wah Wah Wah!!!!!

[@biswajitnandi6061]

Pride of Bhilai

[@EduardoRiter]

Wow! What a treasure !!! Immense gratitude!

[@kitgang]

This recording of Suddha Sarang, from Panditji, is evoking a lots of best memories of my life. Unparallel artist, unparallel music- full of heavenly pleasure and depth

[@Ramatganski]

I am happy you feel this way. I just want to make sure that someone who thinks that this is as good as it gets, is also aware of the accomplishment of Ustad Shahid Parvez and Pandit Kushal Das. I really want more people to know and acknowledge these musicians' greatness.

[@kitgang]

I am not going to any Musician war. I have just expressed my feeling and strong belief after listening several artists.

[@saiprasadrm97]

ramatganski shmanski Hey, how do you define accomplishment in the context of music?

[@Ramatganski]

Wouldn't you say straight away that Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee is an accomplished musician, without having to define accomplishment in music? It's extremely difficult for me to define and describe why this is so. I guess It's a matter of possessing discernible qualities, merits and skills in musicianship and artistry, or something along these lines. Anyway, it's the ability to be moved by and to enjoy and appreciate these musicians that makes us acknowledge their accomplishment. I think.

[@saiprasadrm97]

ramatganski shmanski It gets quite interesting to think about. Each listener would perceive the same piece of music differently and abstractly, though it's a series of definable sounds which was digitized and played back by a speaker almost exactly like the original piece. Someone may get emotional satisfaction (which can be of a huge variety), while someone else may appreciate the creativity or skills, or raag or taal, or maybe just appreciate it coz a thousand others do. So I think by each person's perspective, a different artiste would be more accomplished. Since I've listened to a lot of Sitar music, I can appreciate lot of fine aspects and if you ask me if Panditji is an accomplished sitarist, I'll be like, he's too next level and needs a better word to be described.

[@TreyYancy]

Note that he uses Suzuki-style violin fine tuners for the chikari strings. They appear to be cemented into drilled holes.

[@jawharsircar3524]

Wonderful selection. Wishing you all the best. Jawhar Sircar

[@dailybookreading]

Introduction Ad in the beginning Clap 👏 in the end

[@banirbn]

Really appreciate your sharing this marvelous recording.

[@niharkhandave7105]

simply mesmerizing!

[@kamleshkumardiwan]

Very nice

[@kiran9656ck]

thanks for the video ....

[@75husted]

Is he playing his new sitar here? If so it has a lovely , warm sound--or perhaps its just the recording that made the difference. Beautifully played Shuddha Sarang .

[@DrSDKhan]

i agree star sounds different, softer and little higher in tone , very UVK 60/70s sound

[@ranjankumarghosal6758]

There are number of BM videos in yt, but suddenly very interesting comments have been initiated by a benign Shuddha Sarang rendition. 1. about NB: There cannot be any second opinion that he is one of the giant triumvirates of sitar and excellence in classical music can never be based on popular fan following. You cannot compare between V. Kesarbai Kerkar with Smt Lata Mangeshkar. Lot more people purchases onion than apple. 2. about VK : I agree he was no Taalsen. But he was VK and for connoisseurs, that's final, requiring no further analysis. 3. about SPK : Both him and BM belong to the same gharana but their approach is totally different. SPK experiments with varying taal and is usually dazzling and flamboyant except in his earlier renditions, he understands what hoi polloi wants. BM is more interested in the unembellished ragrup and is closer to NB from Maihar in his absorbed, calm,serene approach. I do not think BM cares at all about the public demand and is really a devotee of ragas. 4. about others: Have they elevated themselves to the level of these two modern masters ? 5. I have only one dissatisfaction about BM. If you hear multiple renditions of the same raga from him, you would find that they are exact replica of one another, he doesn't indulge in any variation or innovation.

[@satishelkunchwar397]

This is very good observation Ghoshal Mahodaya. Comparisons aren't necessary. And there can always be personal preferences.

[@ssdeogaonkar846]

Marvellous.

[@sagartirthasengupta852]

37:30 Jan re Bhanwra re

[@bir_deb]

Sheer magic

[@pradeepkumarmusic3066]

🙇🙇

[@raghavjha4254]

Awesome 🤩🤩🤩

[@alexkoshkin2054]

Super!!!!!!

[@debanjanmitra5643]

very nice...☺☺

[@shamadeepmandal7836]

Awesome !!!

[@hirak123456]

Outstanding

[@raghavjha4254]

True

[@dfuchs66]

Given the kind of microphones in use, the somewhat muffled sound is a tad disappointing here. Musically, no complaints... :-) (btw, what's that mic on Tabla exactly?)

[@spandana_music]

dfuchs66 , that looks like a Shure Beta 181 mic on the tabla.

[@thegenxnoob9755]

I'm still trying to figure out how to mic my sitar.

[@saiprasadrm97]

superb!

[@rajendradeerpaul2534]

Thats a wonderful presentation.It really touches the soul.Great !

[@dhagetita6924]

Waaaahhh

[@DrinkingWithDebu]

Uttering Nikhil B s name in same breath with SP or KD is sacrilege. Along with RS VK and AliAK they r four pillars of Hindusthsni classical instrumental music. A near nonagenarian I have attended numerous recitals of NB in Calcutta and Delhi and to say that he had no fan following is a laughable and ridiculous remark. Reflecting immaturity and ignorance of any person who makes such a remark.

[@muhammadnabil5857]

The feel of NIKHIL B Gs' strokes are above o all in my humble opinion

[@ranjitbhattacharji1360]

I fully agreed with you.

[@ranjankumarghosal6758]

DWD Sir, As a fellow senior citizen may I request you to upload your glittering collections in yt for the benefit of oldies like us ?

[@bir_deb]

Many will come and go, but NB is invincible

[@DebarghaSarkar.]

Could you give the full form of KD?