Barun Kumar Pal

'Pioneer performer, composer, guru and music director of Indian classical music on Hansa Veena, the Indian slide guitar'.

Barun Kumar Pal is one of India's eminent and senior artistes. In the year 1972-73, he was the first artiste given an A Grade in Indian classical and light music on guitar by All India Radio. 

 

Barun Kumar comes from an enlightened family of stalwarts of Indian classical music. A child prodigy, he performed at age 6 in front of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister. And since he was 6 years old, Barun Kumar has been performing as a solo player and taking part in the seniors’ national orchestras in concerts and on All India Radio.

 

Barun Kumar is one of the pioneers in introducing the Hawaiian slide guitar in the world of Indian classical music. By adding sympathetic strings (as far back as 1971), changing the tuning method and techniques of playing, he improvised the Hawaiian guitar into a complete Indian Instrument suitable for rendering Indian ragas.

 

With his dedication and hard work, Barun became the disciple of sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar in 1978. Since then, as a senior disciple, Barun Kumar has worked with Panditji in many of his historical presentations and is part of the faculty at the Ravi Shankar Centre in New Delhi.

 

Barun Kumar has performed prestigious concerts extensively in India and all over the world. He has several audio discs, cassettes and CDs released all over the globe. His unique blending of the sitar and veena playing styles is remarkable and has created a firm position in the traditional Tantrakari Baaz (instrumental style) of Indian classical music. The Gayaki-ang (vocal style) with emotional rendering is reflected in his playing of the ragas. 

Barun started learning the sitar from his father and eldest sister when he was 5 years old. At the same time, he was initiated in slide guitar. He started performing on radio at the age of 6 and became a regular part of the national orchestras (both seniors' and juniors') on the Hawaiian slide guitar. In 1971, he designed and introduced the improvised version of slide guitar, by adding extra strings as well as sympathetic strings, to suit the playing of Indian classical music in its true form. In 1972, he became the first A-grade artiste of AIR in light music on slide guitar. In 1973, he became the first AIR A-grade artiste in classical music on slide guitar. Since then, he has been working hard in the teaching, development, recognition and appreciation of the Hawaiian slide guitar as an Indian classical music instrument.

 

By God's grace, he got global recognition and appreciation of the new instrument as the 'Indian Classical Guitar', manufactured by Mr Bhabasindhu Biswas of Kolkata. In 1978, Barun became the disciple of Pt Ravi Shankar and worked with him in many of his ensembles, recordings and workshops.

 

Barun is considered as one of the torch bearers of the famous Maihar Gharana, established by the legendary Baba Allauddin Khan (the guru /master of Pt Ravi Shankar and many other stalwart artistes of India). 

In the year 2000, Pt Ravi Shankar named and gave official recognition to a further developed and highly evolved version of the Indian classical slide guitar as the Hansa Veena.

 

The first Hansa Veena manufactured by M/S Rikhi Ram and Sons of Delhi was given to Barun by his guru Pt Ravi Shankar on Panditji's 80th birth day. This unique instrument was later launched in all over the world and soon became popular as an unique addition to the rich history of Indian musical instruments.

 

Barun is, thus, known globally as the pioneer artiste of the Hansa Veena and the Indian slide guitar. Barun Kumar Pal , as a senior Artiste of Radio and Doordarshan  A selected A-grade Artiste in both Indian Classical music and Light music since 1972. Have performed in several national programmes of A.I.R. and National network concerts of Doordarshan.

Performed for the most honored concert of India, “The Radio Sangeet Sammelan”, in 1999 and 2006. A member of the the Audition committee of All India Radio Served A.I.R. as a staff musician, composer and programme planner for 20 yrs.

 

Exclusive preview of the new CD Soul to Soul n°2 recorded in France in 2011 - to be launched in 2012: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDj4sza15m0

Excerpt of the CD Soul to Soul n°1 recorded in France in 2008 - launched in 2010: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbJ2s115rEg

Excerpts from "Raga Jazz" with Ray Spiegel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5J824Gp46cA

Raga Jazz-2 -Barun Kumar Pal and Ray Spiegel Enssemble, USA.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h170P8npKkQ

Barun Kumar Pal is one of India's eminent and senior artistes. In the year 1972-73, he was the first artiste given an A Grade in Indian classical and light music on guitar by All India Radio. 

 

Barun Kumar comes from an enlightened family of stalwarts of Indian classical music. A child prodigy, he performed at age 6 in front of Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first Prime Minister, Zhou en Lai and Acharya Govind Ballabh Panth in 1954, . And since he was 6 years old, Barun Kumar has been performing as a solo player and taking part in the seniors’ national orchestras in concerts and on All India Radio.

*  Became B-high grade artiste of AIR Calcutta on guitar in 1966.

*  Kalke Kalakar and NCCPA concerts in Mumbai-1971-73.

*  Presentation of  100 young guitar players in the National Youth Festival in 1970.

*  Dover Lane Music conference of Kolkata in 1997 and 1999.

*  Haridas Sangeet Samaroha, Mumbai-1983.

*  Asian Music Circuit tour in UK 1995.

*  Bath Festival in 1995 and 1997.

*  WOMAD festival in London in 1998. Performance preserved in the archives of the British National Museum.

*  Uttarpara Sangeet Sammelan of Kolkata.

*  BBC lecture–demonstration in 1998. Radio France, Danish Radio, Radio Canada performance.

*  Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan concerts in London (1998, 2000) and New York (1997).

*  Singapore Indian Academy of Fine Arts concerts in 2000, 2002, 2005 and 2007.

*  Indian Embassy concerts in UK, Indonesia, Denmark and Italy.

*  University concerts, workshops, lecture-demonstrations and seminars in North Carolina University, USA, Hanover Music University of Germany, Asheville and Knoxville University of USA, Music University and Museum of Switzerland, Birmingham Conservatoire of UK and several others.

*  Nehru Birth Centenary concert in Kamani Auditorium, Delhi.

*  NCPA, Bombay concerts in 1974 and 1980.

*  Tansein Sangeet Sammelan and Salt Lake Music Festival, Kolkata in 1998, 2000, 2003.

*  ICCR concerts in Kolkata and Delhi.

*  Spicmacay concerts with Pandit Ravi Shankar in JNU Delhi 1999.

*  Swarna Jayanti concert of Sangeet Natak  Academy in Siri Fort.

*  Ali Akbar Music College summer festival with Sri Swapan Choudhury on Tabla in USA in 1996 and 1998.

*  Spirit of Unity conference in 1987 in the honor of the then Prime Minister of India Shri Nara Sinha Rao.

*  Rama Krishna Mission music conferences in Gole Park, Belur, Sri  Rampur, Mumbai, Delhi, Ranchi, Singapore, France, Woodstock, Canada, Hollywood, San Francisco and many other cities of the world.

*  HCL series concerts in Habitat Centre 1998, 2000 and 2005.

IIC Concert in Delhi 1999 and 2007.

*  Abhinava Kala Parishad music festival, Bhopal 19982 and 2002.

*  IIT Kharagpur annual fest 2002.

*  Nashik Music Festival 2003.

*  EZCC( ICCR) concert-'Vasant Panchamee' in Kolkata 2007.

*  Concerts in five major spiritual centers of Rishikesh in ‘Geeta Sammelan’ ‘Annual Spiritual Conference’ and the ‘Seminar in Kumbh Mela’ in 2006, 2007 and 2010.

*  RIMPA (Ravi Shankar Institute of Performing Art) festival in Delhi 2008.

*  International consultancy Farm EDS's music workshop in Hamburg, Germany, in cultural exchange program.

*  Concerts and workshops in France of Terre Du Ciel University in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

*  Concert and Lecture demonstration in IIMC, Ranchi in 2009.

*  Concert in Singapore for SIFAS and Esplanade for the Raga series in August 2011.

*  Concerts tour in France for Terre-du-ciel and other organizations –June 2011.

*  Concert in Kolkata for The Satyananda Devayatan on Kalpataru Utsav, 1st Jan’12.

*  Concert in Kolkata at The Calcutta Club, January 2012.

*  Composer, director and conductor of ‘Vrinda Vadan’ (orchestra) of Indian Classical music for A.I.R., Doordarshan, DD-7, National Youth  Festival, Human Resource( Govt of India) and several other organizations. 

 

Barun Kumar Pal has produced Raga Symphony of 100, 150 and 300 children in sitar, slide guitar, flute, violin, tabla and pakhawaz in the Siri Fort Auditorium and other prestigious venues.

 

Barun Kumar Pal worked with the top commercial Musicians of Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi in the production of Audio Albums.

 

Raga Symphonies of 100 young musicians was presented for Mr. and Mrs. Tony Blair ( British Prime Minister) during their visit in India.

 

Pt. Ravi Shankar’s methodology is most respectfully and seriously followed by more than 2000  young students of Mothers International School, The Millennium Schools and Ansal’s schools in Delhi, Hariyana and Uttarpradesh  as a part of their curriculum under Barun’s guidance. 

 

Barun Kumar Pal conduct regular music workshops in Delhi, Nainital, Ramgarh and Rishikesh to develop the true Guru-Sishya-Parampara  relation and to inspire the young generation in following Indian Heritage Culture. Highly satisfied with the result, Govt of India ( Ministry of Human resource) has been sponsoring his music workshops through Sri Aurobindo Ashram for several years.

 

Senior musicians, advanced students from different states and countries in various instruments join his advanced workshop as in ‘Gurukul’  to learn and experience the nuances of Indian Classical music as ‘Guru Mukhi Vidya’.    

 

Barun has successfully introduced the modern methodology of computerized music notation system for Indian Music.

 

Barun Kumar Pal has created and successfully launched a 3 yrs. Curriculum for Performing Arts in Indian Classical Music and Dances for the young talents.

 

Batun has  released publications 'Indian Classical Music and its Legendary and Eminent Artistes', 'Hawaiian Guitar playing made Easy', Learning Hindustani Vocal music Made Easy', 'Learning Bansuri playing Made Easy' and 'Tabla the Indian Drum playing Made Easy' for young and advanced learners.

 

Barun has a large number of students performing from A.I.R. in different states of India and abroad in ‘A’,’B-high’ and ‘B grade. 

                                                  

In charge of various musical activities of Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Mothers International School, Ministry of Human Resource, Ravi Shankars Institute of Performing Arts, The Millennium Centre of creative and performing arts under ‘Educomp solutions” and Mozart’s Choir of India under The Austrian Embassy. 

A first class first diploma mechanical engineer from Birla Institute of Technology, West Bengal Govt 1967.

 

Barun Kumar Pal served A.I.R. as staff musician, composer, music director for 20 yrs and then took voluntary retirement in 1998 to come to Delhi to serve Ravi Shankar Institute of Performing Arts and Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

 

Barun Kumar gave judgments to various music competitions like I.I.T. Delhi, All India P&T music competition, National Naval force music competition., Sarvodaya International Trust music competition, Delhi.,Ansals Engineering and technology Institute,Viswa Bharati Public School Inter School music competition etc.

 

Barun Kumar Pal took part in different orchestra, workshops and recordings of Guruji Pt. Ravi Shankar.

 

Barun Kumar worked with several renowned western musicians of USA, France and Germany.

 

Barun Worked together with the Gerald Wirth, the director of the Vienna. Children’s Choir and the choir group of RIMPA as the Mozart’s children Choir  to perform several concerts in India and Austria as a part of the project Global Children’s Choir for Peace, a successful dream of Pt. Ravi Shankar. 

 

Barun Kumar Pal Have successfully conducted several music workshops for a large number of participants using singers, tabla players, instrumentalists and an interesting multimedia projection on the history of Indian classical music. 

 

Member of the Indo-Austrian Cultural centre, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi.

1) Ragas on Guitar: Classic Collection of Super Cassette (T-Series) No. SICC-02

Ragas: Nat Bhairav and Malkauns

 

2) Spirit of Ragas: From American Records, SanFransisco. No. DPS-002

Ragas: Jaunpuri and Jog

 

3) Anubhav: From Sound Waves, Delhi No.CM-10

Ragas: Hemant,Bihag and PalashKafi Dhun

 

4) Ragas on Guitar : From AIM Records,USA,No.CSIM-340 Raga: HemBihag

 

 1) Memorable Melodies on Guitar : From Music India ( Polydor),Bombay,(E.P.),

 

2) Hits on Guitar : FromHindusthan  Records,Calcutta, (S.P.)

 

3) Film Hits on Guitar : From Polydor,Bombay (L.P.)

 

1) ‘ShankaRagamala’, a 3CD album released byPdt Ravi Shankar Foundation. Raga: Nat Bhairav

 

2)’The Best of Aim Records’: From AIM records No.CDIM Raga: Mishra Pahari.

 

3) ‘Pranam’: From Biswas Records, USA,No. BIS 159 Ragas: Maru Bihag and Kirwani

 

4) ‘Ragas on HansaVeena’:From Biswas Records,USA No.BIS 227    Ragas: Jog and Desh

 

5) ‘Ragas on Slide Guitar’: From Simla House, USA.Ragas: Malkaunsh and Pilu

6) ‘Raga Jazz’ : From Simla House,USA,2004. Composed and played with renowned western musicians of USA.No:Simla 007

7)  ‘Ragas from within’ by Pdt Barun Kumar Pal .Ragas: Puriya Kalyan and tune of Kirtan.Super Cassette (T-series) No:SICCD-161

8)  ‘Soul To Soul’, recorded and released in France

A harmony of emotions and sentiments of Eastern and Western music

9)  ‘Aye Pyarey Vatan’: A patrtiotic song album. Music direction and arrangement by Pt. Barun Kumar released in Delhi in 2007 

10) “Mood of The Raga” –HansaVeena and Sitar Duet released from Singapore’10

 

11) ‘Soul to Soul’ Part II- A fusion with eminent musicians from France, Germany and UK. To be released Feb ‘12