Training
and Background
Ramprapanna Bhattacharya is the highly acclaimed Sitarist and a worthy
representative of younger generation of the famous Imdadkhani-Etawah Gharana.
He was born in
a family with remarkable musical, cultural and spiritual heritage. His great grandfather
Late Ramendu Bhattacharya was a noted clarinet player. His grandmother used to play sitar and has the
family relation with great musicians like Timir Baran, Amiya Kanti Bhattacharya
(Bhombal Babu). His father Sri Ram Udar Bhattacharya is also a Sitarist and is
a disciple of Ustad Ali Ahmad Khan(Sitar), Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan, Pt. Gokul
Nag and Pt. Indranil Bhattacharya.
Ramprapanna was first introduced to music by his mother. He took up
the Sitar at the age of six under guidance of his father, Sri Ram Udar Bhattacharya.
After receiving
musical lessons from Sri Soumitra Lahiri
of Vishnupur Gharana, he got privilege to have musical lessons from Pt. Kashinath Mukherjee (The senior
disciple of Ustad Vilayat Khan and Ustad Amir Khan). Now, continuing the same
musical tradition he is undergoing extensive guidance from Pt. Arvind Parikh (the world renowned Sitarist and senior most
disciple of Ustad Vilayat Khan) in Mumbai.
He received compositions from Late Pt. Bimal Mukherjee, Ustad Amjad Ali
Khan, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan in
several workshops from 1995 to 2004. Ramprapanna is rarely fortunate to have
blessings from none other than Aftaab-E-Sitar Ustad Vilayat Khan Sahab.
Performing Career
Ramprapanna has been a regular performer
on the concert circuit for two decades, performing all over the country and
abroad. His
technical prowess and aesthetic brilliance have been acclaimed greatly by
connoisseurs. His
performances have been telecasted in popular Television Channels all over the
country. His Sitar performance in United Kingdom was highly appreciated by
audience and musicians.He
received the Scholarship in Sitar by "Ministry of Culture" (Govt. of
India). He stood first in Sitar in Kolkata District Youth Festival (Govt. of
West Bengal), Inter Collegiate Music Competition, Sutanuti Parishad. He
received "Sutanuti Sangeet Samman" offered by Sutanuti Parishad and
awards offered by Dover Lane Music Conference, Salt Lake Cultural Association,
Sri Aurobindo Institute of Culture.Besides having musical career, Ramprapanna
has obtained Bachelors Degree in Electronics & Communication Engineering.