presents

Prateek Chaudhuri
Sitar
Prateek Chaudhuri, a brilliant performer, is acclaimed as one of the most outstanding Sitar players of the country today amongst the present 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, Pandit Debu Chaudhuri, Padmabhushan Awardee. He also had the great fortune to learn from his Dadaguru (father's guru), Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan Sahab, the great legend of the "Senia" tradition, which has been named after "Mian Tansen" , the doyen of Indian Classical Music. Tansen is often called the father of Indian Classical Music and those who belong to his family and follow his tradition are called "Senia". Prateek is the automatic successor to this rare "Senia" tradition of the great Indian Classical Music, having a unique tradition of playing the Sitar not only with the traditional and rare 17 frets (instead of 19, 20 or 21 frets, found at present), but also having a unique string arrangement of it's own.
Prateek, today, strides the musical panthenon like a young handsome Colossus. His graceful style and intricate technique echo the great masters of the past. From his nimble fingers resonate, the rich tones and melodious phrases, which are characteristics of his style. His skillful fingers handle rapidly moving passages with ease, while maintaining integrity and beauty of every note, the mark of a true virtuoso. With each performance, he evokes masterful handling of his instrument emitting grace, fluidity and dexterity with each note.
His charming stage presence and charisma only serve to enhance the overall grandness of the performance. That being so, it must be mentioned that simplicity and clarity are the hallmark of his style. Amongst his numerous achievements, Prateek has been ranked as an "A Class" Artist by the National Television and Radio of the Govt. of India. His mastery over the Sitar and "Laya" (rhythm) has been acclaimed and praised by the leading musicians of the country and he has also been accompanied by almost all the leading Tabla maestros, in his recitals in India and Abroad. In his concerts and concert tours in India and Abroad, Prateek has been accompanied by almost all the leading Tabla Maestros of the country including the Late Ustad Shafaat Ahmed Khan, Pandit Kumar Bose, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, Shri Bikram Ghosh, Ustad Akram Khan, Shri Sandeep Das, Ustad Rafiuddin Sabri and many other reputed players of the country.
SPECIAL CONCERTS:
* Had the rare distinction and honour to give a Special Concert for the President of United States of America, Mr. Bill Clinton during his first visit to India.
* Had the honour to perform for the President of India, Shri Abdul Kalam and Shri R. Venkataraman in Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.
* Performed for the Prime Minister of Norway during his trip to India in 2005.
* Performed at Major Venues across the world including the prestigious Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Centre, in USA and the famous Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.
* Has been the featured artist in almost all the Major Festivals of the country including the famous and prestigious Music Festivals like the Jaipur International Heritage Festival in Jaipur, UNESCO Music Festival on Intl. Day for Tolerance in Delhi, ITC Music Festival in Kolkata and Delhi, Tansen Music Festival in Gwalior and Delhi, Maihar Festival of Music in Maihar, Sawai Gandharva Music Festival in Poona, Saptak Festival in Ahmedabad, Baba Harballabh Festival in Jalandhar, Pandit Vishnu Digambar Jayanti in Delhi, UMAK Music Festival in Delhi, just to name a few, amongst many others.
* The only Indian musician to have performed with the Renowned "Swarovsky Music Wattens" Orchestra, consisting of 80 musicians, from Austria in a Special Concert held in Jaipur, India in the year 2005, which was highly appreciated and profusely praised by the audience.
* He is the Creator and the Main Conductor of the "rare", "unique", and sought after Grand Musical Orchestral Ensemble of the country India - i.e "SOUL OF INDIA - The Grand Orchestra" which has got musical elements of great variety including Indian Classical, Western Classical. Rock music, Jazz music, Sufi music, Music from Rajasthan, Pop music, a Grand Rhythmic ensemble known as 'Taal Vadya Kacheri' and also other elements of World Music presented in a Grand scale.
* Was invited to give a Special Live Concert for BBC 3 Radio in London.
* Was featured in the prestigious National Programme of Music in All India Radio May 2000 and the National Television of India (Doordarshan) in 2003.
* Was featured in the prestigious AIR Sangeet Sammelan (Radio Music Festival) of the Govt. of India, held in Shimla in 2004.
* Performed with Louis Banks,the Renowned Jazz Keyboard player and Sivamani, the famous Drummer and Percussionist from India. The name of the band is "Rhythm Asia".

You can listen to Prateek Chaudhuri on the following album(s)/song(s):
Durge Jai Jai Ma
Ganga Ki Jai Jai
Durge Jai Jai Ma
Ganga Ki Jai Jai
Ganga Ki Jai Jai
Durge Jai Jai Ma
Oh Kali, Oh Mata

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For more details about Prateek Chaudhuri please visit:
http://prateekchaudhuri.com/biography.htm