Eventide

Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee, a name synonymous with the sitar, has upheld with great distinction the traditions of the Imdadkhani Gharana. Widely regarded as the leading sitarist of his generation, he received his training in sitar and surbahar from his illustrious father, the late Pandit Bimalendu Mukherjee, a doyen of the gharana. Starting his musical journey at the age of five under his father’s meticulous guidance, Budhaditya Ji developed a unique lyrical style that reflects the gayaki ang on the sitar with remarkable clarity and depth.

Despite excelling academically—graduating as a gold medalist in Metallurgical Engineering in 1977—Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee’s unwavering passion for music led him to dedicate his life to the sitar. He has not only preserved but also innovatively expanded the creative concepts of Ustad Imdad Khan, the gharana’s namesake. His mastery is evident in the profound alap and intricate taankari that characterise his performances, showcasing the rich legacy of his guru and father.

Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee’s career spans over four decades, with more than 1,500 concerts in India and over 1,200 recitals in 26 countries, including performances at 12 major international festivals where he represented India. Notably, on June 30, 1990, he made history as the first musician to perform at the House of Commons in London. He has also contributed as a visiting expert at the Conservatory of Music in Rotterdam and the Instituto Internazionale di Studi Musicali Comparati in Venice, nurturing students and furthering the global appreciation of Indian classical music.

At 68, with 46 commercial recordings to his credit, Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee continues to inspire audiences worldwide. His achievements include the Kumar Gandharva Samman (1994), Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2010), Sangeet Maha Samman (2016), Padma Bhushan (2019), and Rashtriya Kalidas Samman (2022). Despite these accolades, he treasures the early praise of legends like Satyajit Ray, who described his performance as “soul-filling,” and S. Balachander, who called him “the sitar artist of the century.” Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee’s journey remains a testament to his dedication to the sitar and the enduring traditions of the Imdadkhani Gharana.

Soumen began playing the tabla at six under Pandit Pankaj Chatterjee of the Farukhabad Gharana and currently trains with Pandit Arup Chatterjee. An A-grade artist with All India Radio and Doordarshan, he has been recognised with a National Scholarship from the Ministry of Culture and the Jnan Prabha scholarship.

He has performed tabla solos at prestigious events, including the Pt. Jnan Prakash Ghosh Memorial Foundation (Kolkata), Jnan Prabha Festival (Varanasi), and Dhawal Nisha Festival (Mumbai), as well as major festivals like the Tansen Music Festival (Gwalior) with Ustad Ashish Khan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi (Delhi) with Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee. Internationally, he has performed at the Darbar Festival (London), the Naad Festival (Holland), and the Royal Albert Hall with Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee at the BBC Proms, among others.

Soumen has also worked with maestros like Ustad Rashid Khan and Pandit Kushal Das, propagating Indian classical music across Europe, Cyprus, and Morocco. His achievements include the Faiaz Khan Award and the Jnan Prabha Award, presented by the Governor of West Bengal, highlighting his dedication to the art of tabla.