On Indian Music (With Notation)

About the Book This book is a compilation of various articles written for Journals, Seminars etc. It was an attempt to bring out all the articles in the form of a book for presentation for the future generation. The articles written are mostly for the consumption of common people, those who are not much involved or connected with the subject. The readers will enjoy reading these articles and have an idea on the different aspects of Indian Music.

The author has a worldwide recognition as an outstanding performer of Sitar who has also enriched the domain of Indian music with his academic contributions as a Professor of Music for over 3 decades in the University of Delhi.

The author enjoys a unique position and respect not only as a Performer & Musicologist but also as a Guru who has produced a no. of successful students who are already in the field as good performers and also as teachers of many Universities in India. He has been not only recognized by many award by Government of India but also by many Universities in India and abroad. His recent honour of Honours Causa bestowed upon him by the I.K.S.V.V. is another milestone in his achievements of his career.

He has written a number of books and guided more than 33 Ph. D. scholars during his chequered career as a professor of music. He had the fortune of learning at the feet of his guru, Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan, for more than 35 years. He is at present working on a Major project on his Guruji's life as a Senior Fellow of the Ministry of Culture.

About the Author Prateek Chaudhuri, a brilliant performer, is acclaimed as one of the most outstanding Sitar players of the country today amongst the young generation. His Sitar sparkles with the rare combination of virtuosity with technical finesse and a deep sense of aesthetics. His music also reflects the eternal essence of Sitar. Born in New Delhi, he has been groomed in a musical atmosphere since his birth. He has. for his father, the World Renowned Sitar Maestro, Padma Bhushan Pandit Debu Chaudhuri. Prateek has been meticulously trained and guided by his father from his childhood. He also had the great fortune learn from his "Dada Guru" (father's Guru). Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan Sahab, the great legend of the "Senia" tradition. This leading tradition is named after the great doyen of the Indian Music Mian Tansen. Tansen is often called the father of the Indian Music and those who belong to his family as well as follow his style are called "Senia".

In shaping Prateek's musical aesthetics. his mother. Dr. Manjusree Chaudhuri's influence is evident in his presentation. A votary of talent. training, education. intelligence and self-confidence. Prateek is the automatic successor to this rare "Senia" tradition of the great Indian classical music. having a unique individual tradition of playing Sitar not only with 17 frets. but also having an individual and unique string arrangements of its own.

Academically, Prateek has excelled in each stage of his higher education. He is the recipient of the Gold Medal for his M.A. (music) and also secured first position in M. Phil (music) examinations and Ph.D (music) from Delhi University. At present he is not only performing but also been teaching as a Lecturer in the Faculty of Music at Delhi University.

Amongst his many achievements and accolades Prateek has been ranked as an "A" Grade artist by All India Radio and Television Government of India.

Preface I have been contemplating with the idea of publishing various articles written by me for Seminars and other various Journals on Music during my 40 years of teaching career at the Faculty of Music and Fine Arts, University of Delhi since 1960.

I could have done much more, as this publication is not even a drop in the ocean of Music as I always feel, I am still a student of Music. Let this attempt to publish my work, may not be misunder stood by the connoisseurs of Music as, the topics are simple and general in nature. I have just compiled them for the benefit of the students of Music. My achievement in the domain of Indian Music has put me in a rare and unique place. No one in my family was a musician, my revered Guruji Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan Sahab was not a musician for the mass. As a representative of the traditional "Senia Gharana." I have been playing Sitar with 17 Frets, the tradition followed from the time of the great Senia Sitar Maestro Masit Sen the originator of Masit Khani Style, which no one follows today except Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan Sahab's students and followers.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages