Biography
Born in a music loving and musically dedicated family, Kanika was initiated into music by her father Pt. S. S. Pandey. Her journey in music began much before she started her actual formal taleem (training).
An accomplished sangeet guru himself, her father Pt. S. S. Pandey was also the head of dept. of vocal music at the prestigious music college in Jaipur thus music was an integral part of her growing up years. She also learnt a great deal about the music and its discipline by listening to many veteran artists in informal sangeet baithaks (informal house concerts) during her early childhood years.
At an early age of ten she accepted a strict discipline in music. After receiving a solid foundation in music from her father, in 1995, kanika began her taleem (training) under the tutelage of the finest maestros, Pts. Rajan and Sajan Mishra of Banares gharana, learning the subtle nuances and stylistic techniques of the art form
Kanika belongs to the new generation of musicians who believe in developing and evolving a personalized musical idiom while still maintaining the authenticity of the Hindustani classical music. Kanika has a rich and mellifluous voice and a very eloquent style of singing. She carries with her a rare artistic blend of Kirana and Banares gharana. Her training is very evident in her shruti shuddha swara, gradual unfolding and development of the raga, combining the poetry and its expression into singing. Her music emerges not only from her own virtuosity and versatility as a performer but also from her intellectual and diligent eclecticism as a student of Hindustani classical music. Besides maintaining the technical aspects, Kanika also gives a lot of focus on the aesthetics and the mystical/spiritual aspect of Hindustani music, thus resulting in a unique style that is technically fine and yet very soulful and aesthetically appealing.
She has a strong academic background and holds a master’s degree in performing Arts Administration from New York University (NYU), NY and another masters in Hindustani classical music from the university of Rajasthan, Jaipur with a gold medal. Kanika learnt a great deal about how the not-for-profit arts organizations work in the West during her internship at the world-renowned arts center ‘Carnegie Hall’, NY. She had the hands on experience of working on many projects that the Weil Institute of Music- the education department of Carnegie Hall produced.
As an educator, Kanika has been associated with SIT Jaipur, (School for International Training, a branch of World Learning, Brattleboro, Vermont, US) as a visiting artist and guest lecturer. She also served as an academic advisor to many SIT students from the US. She has conducted workshop for professional and non-professional musicians in France and in India. Being a product of the traditional ‘guru-shishya parampara’ (a teacher student learning system), Kanika strongly believes in devoting her time and efforts in educating the younger generation of music aspirants and contributing her share of passing on this rich heritage.
She has been a recipient of several prestigious awards and scholarships including an International fellowship from the Ford Foundation (2004), Junior Fellowship from the Dept. of Culture, Govt. of India (2002) and scholarship from the ministry of HRD, govt. of India (1992-94), scholarship from Rajasthan Sangeet Natak Academy (State academy of music, dance and drama) (1989-90). She was also awarded “Bhamashah” award from the Maharana Mewar Foundation, Udaipur (1994).
Kanika has performed on stage throughout India, Europe and the United States. Her gurus, Pts. Rajan and Sajan Mishra and Pt. S. S. Pandey have nurtured and continue to foster her art while helping her to develop a style undeniably her own.
Kanika Pandey
Kanika Pandey classical vocalist
Programs
Kanika belongs to the new generation of musicians who believe in developing and evolving a personalized musical idiom while still maintaining the authenticity of the Hindustani classical music. Kanika has a rich and mellifluous voice and a very eloquent style of singing. She carries with her a rare artistic blend of Kirana and Banares gharana. Her training is very evident in her shruti shuddha swara, gradual unfolding and development of the raga, combining the poetry and its expression into singing. Her music emerges not only from her own virtuosity and versatility as a performer but also from her intellectual and diligent eclecticism as a student of Hindustani classical music. Besides maintaining the technical aspects, Kanika also gives a lot of focus on the aesthetics and the mystical/spiritual aspect of Hindustani music, thus resulting in a unique style that is technically fine and yet very soulful and aesthetically appealing.
See also
Contact