Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty, the Hindustani classical vocalist, is touring Bangladesh to attend this weekend’s Bengal Classical Music Festival.
Considered one of the vocal legends of Indian classical music, Ajoy was born in Kolkata in 1953, after his family moved to India from present-day Bangladesh during partition. He belongs to the Patiala gharana and has over 100 albums to his credit.
Prior to his performance yesterday at the Army Stadium, the singer met with Dhaka Tribune for an interview.
You have now been part of all three of Bengal’s music festivals. How does it feel to return to the land of your ancestors?
It feels like homecoming. There is the satisfaction of performing a duty, and when it comes to hospitality, I think no one can beat Bangladeshis.
I love everything about this nation. There is no one like them, so gentle and hospitable. Paying respect to guests and elders comes naturally to them.
One thing I must say: Performing in the Bengal festival is a privilege in itself – it’s the largest of such festivals in the world, and the crowd is really amazing.
How do you view music in Bangla?
All sorts of music and compositions are possible in Bangla, and that’s the beauty of this language.
You don’t see such flexibility in other languages. It is for this reason, and the inherent genius of some of its speakers, that we have had such talents as Kazi Nazrul Islam and Rabindranath Tagore.
You founded a classical music academy more than two decades ago, and have numerous disciples.
Yes I have, and I am still learning. And teaching also. Shrutinandan, my school, has more than 1000 students devoted to classical music. I’m also conducting online classes, where students from anywhere in the world can participate and ask questions. Music has such a transcending power, you know, and it touches hearts. I’m working to take that spirit to the younger generations.
There is growing apprehension that classical music is receding, and might not survive the onslaught of more popular contemporary genres. Do you agree?
Not at all. The very fact that the Bengal festival has stepped into its third year – and the kind of curiosity it generated – is proof to the contrary. Last year’s festival saw an overwhelming 30,000-strong crowd on a single day, nearly 40% of whom were young people. You’ll see new forms of music coming every now and then, but classical music is different. It’s infinite, time-tested.
What’s your plan for this year’s trip?
I will probably visit my ancestral home in the village of Pushuli, in Mymensingh. I also have plans to go to Cox’s Bazar. I went to Chittagong before, but this year I won’t have time.
