Considered among the front ranking tabla players from India, Abhijit Banerjee is one of the most sought after creative artists in the realm of Indian classical music. Abhijit has crafted a unique style and creative approach which has brought him accolades and awards from allover the world. Apart from his contributions to Indian music he has left his mark both as a performer and composer. Being one of the pioneering disciples of late Pt. Jnan Prakash Ghosh, Abhijit has accompanied nearly all the top ranking luminaries of Indian classical music including Pt.Ravi Shankar, late Pt.Nikhil Banerjee, Begum Parweena Sultana, Pt.Jasraj, Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma, Dr. Balamurali Krishnan to name a few. Abhijit has been touring extensively in USA, Canada, U.K., Europe, Japan, Australia, South Africa, South East Asia and Mexico giving concerts, conducting workshops and attending seminars in the Universities and music schools. Abhijit also has had the honor of representing India in the Granada Festival of Music in Spain. His crossover work includes collaborations with musicians such as Ry Cooder, Larry Corryell and Trilok Gurtu. Abhijit founded TARANG performing his original compositions, and released a CD of the same title. Abhijit has scored music for Indian television & won the National Award for Documentary Music for the film about Calcutta ‘The Trail’, which was screened in the Munich and Amsterdam film festivals. Abhijit has founded & established Dhwani Academy of Percussion in Los Angeles, New york, Singapore and Kolkata attracting talented students from around the world. The Academy has initiated needy blind children in the art of music. In his academic life he is a graduate in English literature and post graduate in Journalism.
Pt. Bhawani Shankar learnt Pakhawaj and Tabla from his father and guru Pt.Babulalji. He imbibed Pakhawaj also from Mridanga Acharya Pt. Makhanlalaji. Proficiency in playing Tabla was further enhanced by Pt. Shivlalji Kathak. He gave his first performance at the age of 16 under Padmashri Sitara Devi His numerous public performances included Sawai Gandharva –Pune, Gunidaas Festival-Mumbai, Rajiv Gandhi Foundation-New Delhi, I.M.G. Festival-Mumbai and many more. Bhawani Shankar has also performed with Maestros like Ustad Allah Rakha, Pt. SamantaPrasad, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Jasraj, Pt Shivkumar Sharma, Pt.Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Sultan Khan, Roshankumari, Madhurita Sarang, Vikku Vinayakram and John McLaughlin. He was duly awarded ‘Taal Shri’ in1986 and ‘Taal Vilas’ in 1996. Bhawani Shankar was introduced to the Film Industry, by the world renowned producer and director Dr. V. Shantaram. He also played Tabla for music Maestro Laxmikant Pyarelal. Our immortal legends Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosale, Late Mohammad Rafi and Late Kishore Kumar, used his expertise on Tabla for their performances. The cassette ‘Drums of India’ and ‘Power’ captured electrifying solo performances heralding Traditional classical with great fanfare. Bhawani Shankar’s achievements is also inclusive of Gunnies Book of World Record-20 cassettes and CD’s music composed for Ramayana, Prestigious National President Award, Sangeet Natak Academy-New Delhi, Pt. Jasraj Award-Pune.
