Purbayan Chatterjee, recipient of the President’s Award for Best Instrumentalist of the country at the mere age of 15, performed at the city at two concerts, this weekend.
Talking about blending Western and Indian music, he says, “Initially, I resisted the idea of fusion and ensured that my music should be rooted to Indian classical. But after a certain point I realised that music is music and trying to divide it will only make me narrow down my options.”
He has played Hindustani and Carnatic jugalbandi and at times he’s into jazz and afro-jack fusion with sitar. Purabayan is known best for his unique style in sitar.
“This weekend is a classic example of what I am and what music I play. Evening performance will be fusion based while the other one in the morning is pure classical. I am 50 percent this and 50 percent that. I try to balance it out by not being judgmental and wear different hats with ease,” he says.
Trained in Senia Maihar gharana, Purbayan has learned vocals from Pt Ajay Chakraborty and other classical music stalwarts. “But like any other teenager, I was influenced by the likes of Pink Floyd and jazz. Therefore, the final outcome that you see is the result of all those influences and experiences,” the 40-year-old artist says.
He collaborates with other artists based on the music he is playing. “If I am collaborating with a jazz musician, I’ll concentrate on the harmony, but if I collaborate with drums, I will approach the music rhythmically. They should blend well, while keeping their identities intact.” All collaborations are close to his heart. He is coming up with another collaboration album in September, ‘Classic Cool’ where he is mixing jazz with sitar and guitar. Many international artists are also on board. “It’s basically to remind people that classical music can be cool too,” he adds.
