Sticking to roots, she keeps classical music alive in US
Aparna Banerji
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, January 2
In 1989 when she moved to New Jersey after her marriage, Mitali Banerjee Bhawmik was a bit worried that how she would keep her passionfor music alive after leaving the cultural hustle and bustle of Kolkata. Thirty years later, she is not only a noted classical vocalist but is also running a music school in New Jersey in which 50 students take lessons in Hindustani classical music.
The student of acclaimed violinist Pt. VG Jog and the disciple of Vidushi Girija Devi, Mitali is carving her own niche. Honing her skills in folk classical traditions of Kajri, Chaiti and Hori of the Benares Gharana, she finds these more challenging than Khyal. Mitali is among the few who are keeping the rich Indian traditions alive on a foreign land. Moreover, she has given her voice to the character played by Tabu in Namesake directed by Mira Nair.
The mother of two sons, she loves the challenge of introducing children of the US to the Indian culture.
While she was inspired by her mother Gori Banerjee, her initial days in music were not less than a challenge. But, her mother’s drive and her husband Sudipto Bahwmik’s own passion in music kept her sailing through. Her husband is a noted playwright.
She said, “I started learning music in Assam from a teacher who taught me Tagore and Assamese songs. But, my mother insisted me to learn classical music. Years after, we moved to Kolkata due to disturbance in Assam. In Kolkata, I was taught by Ajit Dutta. After meeting my guru Pt. VG Jog, he asked me to meet noted vocalist Mira Banerjee. After learning music for two years from her, Pt. Jog took me into his fold. So, I started learning from him formally in 1986.”
About Pt. VG Jog, she said, “He was a good teacher. His experience and interactions with many legendary vocalists of the time gave him a musical grasp, which was unparalleled. He gave me a deep insight into bandish and music. Besides, he introduced me to hidden aspects and taught me new bandishes. Thereafter, I learned Ragas.”
After moving to New Jersey, she was primarily concerned about her musical knowledge. But, a stroke of fortune not only enabled better education but improved her as a performing artiste.
A troupe from India accompanied by her guru performs in the US every year in September.
Speaking about her teaching experience in the US, she said, “It is a challenge to introduce students to Indian bandishes due to different accents and culture. But it is a challenge that I love. And students in the US undergo a therapeutic transformation once they pick up classical music. It is a healing experience which has changed many. Thankfully, the music scene is thriving in the US now.”
She now plans to collaborate with her husband in a musical project titled Shivranjini.
