Classical vocal
Sound of life
by Prof.Ritwik Sanyal
A Dhrupad singer of international repute, Prof. Ritwik Sanyal is performing and lecturing widely in India and abroad. He has been teaching at the Benaras Hindu University for the last 27 years, and is presently Professor and Head of the Department of Vocal Music, Dean Faculty of Performing Arts, Benaras Hindu University. Prof. Sanyal has rigorously trained in alaap Dhrupad - Dhamar genre of Indian classical music by Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar. He has assimilated the Dagarvani tradition of Dhrupad and evolved a distinctive style of his own in rendering Dhrupad. He has specialized in advanced techniques of Alap - Jod - Jhala, intricate laykari, vocal culture and pedagogy both traditional and institutional. His music is refreshingly pure as well as dynamic - highlighting several musical layers of variations. His music evokes sublimity and tranquility, exuding Santa-Rasa throughout his performance.
Prof. Sanyal has performed widely both in India and abroad as a distinguished solo artist as well as Ustad_Zia Fariduddin Dagar's partner. Some of the notable concerts abroad include Indian Voices - Performance and Workshop, University of London and Asian Music Circuit London, 1998 and 1999, Represented Asia and India, Ravenna Festival Italy 1997, Promenade Concert – Royal Albert Hall, London (BBC), 1983, Durbham Oriental Music Festival, 1982, UK University Circuit for ndian Classical Music, 18 Concerts, 1987, 11 Summer Concerts in Austria, Germany & Switzerland 1979, ICCR Concert Asian Contemporary Music Festival Seoul, Korea, 2002, Mediterranean Musical Dialogue Jerusalem Israel, 2002 and Sangeet Utsav, Mauritius 2005 amongst others. He represented the SAARC Nation at the Asian Music Conference in Seoul 1999. Prof. Sanyal has given about 300 concerts in leading platforms all over India since 1975 including at the Tansen Samaroh, Gwalior, 1980, 85, 90, 95, 2000, 2003. Dhrupad Mela, Varanasi, 1975-2007 etc. He has several recordings and CDs to his credit and has recorded for All India Radio, BBC London, Radio France, Austrian Radio and Doordarshan Delhi/Mumbai. Appeared in National Programme of Music thrice (Radio & Doordarshan) and Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan 2002.
Prof. Sanyal's book "Philosophy of Music" was published in 1987 by Somaiya Publication, Mumbai. He has also published a number of papers in leading and outstanding journals -Vishwabharati Journal Dhrupad Annual, National Centre for Performing Arts, Sangeet Research Academy, Sangeet Natak Academy, 1981-2007. His work on a DhrupadTradition and Performance in Indian Music (Ashgate, London) is already in print 2004.Prof. Sanyal is a recipient of U.P.Sangeet Natak Academy Award 2002. He has been honoured by the Kashiraj Trust, Varanasi and the Maharaja Travancore Svati Tirunal Trust Award at the Dhrupad festival of Benaras for Outstanding Contribution to Dhrupad, 1995 and Honoured by the Indian Social & Cultural Lover's Organization (ISCLO)- Varanasi/Kolkata 1990. Prof. Sanyal is at present actively involved in the revival and regeneration of this dying art form most widely on the national & global
Raga Bagadheeshwari : Alaap | Dhrupad Choutal
Nada samudra aparampara
Raga Vasant Dhamar : Bhanwara phuli bana belariya
Raga Hansakinkini : Shiva Shiva Shankara hara hara
