Sitar(a) on the rise

Sitar maestro Purbayan Chatterjee is a complete Gen-X classical musician who swears by fusion. "Though I believe that classical music shouldn't be compromised on, I don't think that fusion dilutes classical music," he says. This young musician has just released his new album Stringstruck, which offers a mix of jazz, waltz and classical music. CS spoke to him about his musical journey:


WHO: Sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee
WHAT: Talking about his new album
WHERE: Blue Frog

No strings attached
I share a very spiritual relationship with the instrument. I have been playing since the age of five, the Sitar is my voice and form of expression. As a child, I trained with my dad, Parthapratim Chatterjee. It was tough having a guru at home who was constantly observing you. I used to dislike the nagging and long practice sessions. But today I am grateful for his solid training and that sense of discipline. I later trained with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and learnt volumes from him.

Jamming up
As an aspiring musician, I want to make a big entry into crossover music. This album is an attempt towards that. I am a big fan of musicians like Pat Metheny, Chick Corea and others who have interpreted world music in different ways. In Stringstruck, I have collaborated with musicians like Taufiq Qureshi, Shankar Mahadevan, Atul Raninga and others to create an album with a global appeal. Working on this project has been an awesome experience.u00a0

All-time classic-al
I don't buy the fact that fusion is against classical music or spoils its essence. Classical music is much bigger than that. When I play at a classical music concert, I make sure that every rule is followed strictly. But when I play fusion, the rules can be relaxed a bit. If we can watch international films, wear western clothes and eat varied cuisines, why can't we cater to the young global audience? Today, a musician can do films, corporate events, festivals and shows; you need to be versatile to cater all kinds of audiences.u00a0

PIC/ Satyajit Desai