Manas Chakraborty passed away (1941-2012)

Pandit Manas Chakraborty (9 Sept 1942 – 12 Dec 2012)

Ravi Shankar and Manas Chakraborty shared stage several times and mutually shared huge respect as artists with each other…. (Source: Facebook page)

Noted vocalist of the Kotali gharana , Pandit Manas Chakraborty passed away on December 12, 2012 after a brief illness (and one day after Sitar maestro Pt. Ravi Shankar).

Born in the year 1941, Pandit Manas Chakraborty was raised in a traditional and illustrious family of scholars and classical musicians. He received his training from his father Sangeetacharya Tarapada Chakraborty, himself a renowned and highly respected vocalist. He used to set his Khayal Gayaki in accordance with the character of the raga and achieved an integrated oneness of the eternal Indian spirit. His Thumris have created a landmark in the evolution of Hindustani-Music.

He mastered the fundamental and pervading spirit of Indian classical music and earned for himself a significant place among the best known performers of recent times.

His performance career began when he gave vocal support to his father at conferences all over India. He was an institution in himself, known for his distinct ragadari. His contribution as a guru was also immense. Attached to the West Bengal Rajya Sangeet Academy, he had many disciples established in the music world.

He released a cassette ‘Gan-Shikhi-Gan-Gai’ from the Rajya Sangit Academy, along with Pandit Jnanprakash Ghosh. With several records, cassettes and CDs to his credit, released By HMV, EMI, CBS And Other Recording Companies.

Pt. Manas Chakraborty, was a versatile genius who unsurpassed mastery of all languages of Khayal, Thumri and various other semi-classical styles of music such as Tappa, Bhajan, Ragpradhan etc. Most of his own created bandishes were noted by his pseudonym ‘Sadasant’ and he was distinctively adored among the music-lovers.

(Source: 12/2012 – ITC Sangeet Research Academy)

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