Journey
Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty feels that his musical journey so far, is a blessing of the Almighty. This journey has reached its apogee of success, which is a widely known reality. The following years chronicle some very important events in Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty’s life, some of which the rest of the world is not familiar with. This journey has reached its apogee of success, which is a widely known reality. The following years chronicle some ...
1952
Born in 25th December 1952, Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty is poised today as nearly a cult figure among all legendary Indian Classical Vocalists.
1954
His father, Late Shri Ajit Chakrabarty witnessed a prodigy in him even before he could talk. Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty started imparting lessons of music, bit by bit, to his son when he was just a two- year old toddler.
1956
As a kid of four years, he started performing (read acting) in theatrical plays, and acted in plays like ‘Kalapahar’, ‘Raj Sannyasi’
1957
It was his proficiency in acting that fetched Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty his first award for the best actor, when he was only four and a half years old, which he received from ‘Jatra Samrat’ Brajendra Kumar Dey. He continued acting in plays even after that
1958
Eventually, he was guided by Late Shri Samanta’s guru, the Late Shri Kanaidas Bairagi one a half years later onwards. In the meantime he was singing regularly in his father’s ‘Kali Kirtana’ group and was continuing with his recitation as well.
1959
He passed Higher Secondary and had opted to study Physics(hons.) from Kharda Rahara Ramkrishna Mission, when as per the suggestion of Pt. Ghosh, chose to get admitted in Rabindra Bharati University.
1968
Learned regularly under Pt. Jnan Prakash Ghosh’s tutelage.
1969
He passed Higher Secondary and had opted to study Physics(hons.) from Kharda Rahara Ramkrishna Mission, when as per the suggestion of Pt. Ghosh, chose to get admitted in Rabindra Bharati University.
1974
Got admitted to Master’s (Batch of ’75) and it was in this year when he met his wife, Smt. Chandana Chakraborty, for the first time.
1975
Recorded for Ramacharitamanas, along with stalwarts like Pt. Jnan Prakash Ghosh, Lalita Ghosh,Smt. Shipra Bose, Shree Jatileswar Mukherjee, and not to forget Smt. Chandana Chakrabarty(then Bose).
1978
Sang in Young Talent Music Conference in Kolkata, for the first time. It was organized by Pandit Buddhadev Das Gupta, Dr. Shakti Chattopadhyay and the like. He was noticed by Pandit Vijay Kichlu ji this year, and after hearing him perform in Pandit A.T. Kanan’s house, the September of 1978 saw Pt. Chakraborty becoming a scholar of Sangeet Research Academy.
1979
Got married to Smt. Chandana Chakraborty.
1980
Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty and Smt. Chandana Chakraborty’s first child, Kaushiki Chakraborty, the renowned female classical vocalist who is the torchbearer of ‘Shrutinandan’ concept, was born.
1981
First record (Nana Ranger Gaan) came out from HMV, where he sang his Guruji, Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh’s nine compositions in Bengali lyrics, penned by Pandit Ghosh himself. Met legends like the Late Manna Dey and the Late Radhakanta Nandi this year, with the latter accompanying him in ‘Nana Ranger Gaan’.
1984
First Tour in Pakistan. Nawab Farad Saeed Khaan, the Administrator of SRA took active part in it. Hamir Haloun of Harold Publication organized the programme. It was a memorable programme as it continued for 10 days, and Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty had to perform for 10 hours (9p.m. to 7a.m, the next day) at a stretch.
1985
Performed in “Festival of India”, in America. There he performed a duet with Dr. M. Balamuralikrishnaji, which also showcased all eminent musicians from India. The same year saw Pandit Chakraborty perform solo in Kalamandir(7th April), in front of legends like Satyajit Ray, Tapan Sinha, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Saheb’s wife, Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh with his wife Smt.
1986
Performed in “Festival of India”, in America. There he performed a duet with Dr. M. Balamuralikrishnaji, which also showcased all eminent musicians from India. The same year saw Pandit Chakraborty perform solo in Kalamandir(7th April), in front of legends like Satyajit Ray, Tapan Sinha, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan Saheb’s wife, Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh with his wife Smt.
1987
Kaushiki’s album under the title “Ami Pheriwala” was released, after she returned from her first US tour with her father, Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty. The US tour, was nothing short of a family trip, as his wife Smt. Chandana Chakrabaorty, his brother Sanjay Chakraborty, Pandit Samar Saha Pandit, and his daughter Kaushiki, accompanied Ajoy Chakraborty on his tour.
1990
“Shaheb theke Babushaheb”, an album was released this year celebrating 300 years of Kolkata (then Calcutta).
1991
Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty & his wife’s second child, Ananjan was born.
1992
Shrutinandan, which was conceived as a concept and philosophy of not only music, but life, was realized as a dream.
1997
Shrutinandan, the Music Kingdom, got it’s physical existence. This is an important phase of Guruji’s journey, as he could turn his dream into a reality, with all the help and support from others. Being a Guru of ITC Sangeet Research Academy(SRA), he always wanted to create a ‘bridge’ between the aspiring musicians, who wanted to be a part of ITC SRA.
2002
Shrutinandan celebrated Guruji’s 50th birthday, in Rabindra Sadan , Kolkata which was a remarkable incident, since Guru Jnan Prakash Ghosh’s statue was unveiled in this event. Legendaries like Ali Akbar Khan Sahib , Pandit Buddhadeb Dasgupta and Late Shri Manna Dey came to the concert held by Shrutinandan.
2003
Guruji conducted a television show entitled “Gaaner Alo”, which was aired in Aakash Bangla channel. This program, directed by Gautam Halder ,in the hall of Shrutinandan which is named after Guru Jnan Prakash Ghosh, showcased Guruji with a few handpicked and talented students of Shrutinandan, along with a much matured and musically experienced Kaushiki in few of the episodes.
2006
Shrutinandan completed it’s 10th year and a concert was held, this time again in Netaji Indoor Stadium. This two-day long concert was held in 30th and 31st December, where the students of Shrutinandan, Kaushiki Chakraborty, and other distinguished musicians like Ustad Zakir Hussain , Shri Ravindra Jain and many others projected it’s magnanimity by means of their prowess.
2007
Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna , the renowned Carnatic musician, with whom Guruji has had a long-time association, became the President of Shrutinandan.
2011
Guruji started the “Tuesday concert”, which is held in the Jnan Prakash Ghosh Sanctorium, Shrutinandan. As the name suggests, a concert is held once a month, on a Tuesday, where young and promising disciples of Shrutinandan perform and showcase their talents
2013
On 20th & 21st January, Guruji’s birthday celebration was concluded by a two-day long concert held at Rabindra Sadan , Kolkata. Guruji’s son Ananjan, who is the dynamic and talented young sound engineer, gifted his father and Guru his first ever album “ Sur Pabaah”, all conceived by him.
2017
Sur darshan workshop commenced (2/09/2017, 10/12/2017 and 4/03/2018), HOMECOMING FESTIVAL, many alumni were welcomed and presented with a certificate and a few performed as well in a grand concert held on 5th Feb, 2017.