ArtistInfo

Ajoy Chakraborthy

voc, *1952 IN
Singer / Composer
A.k.a. Ajoy Chakrabarty

Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty (Bengali: অজয় চক্রবর্তী; born 25th December, 1952) is an Indian Hindustani classical vocalist, composer, lyricist and Guru, poised nearly as a cult figure among all the legendary Indian classical musicians.[1] Although considered a scion and doyen of the Patiala-Kasur Gharana (style), primarily representing Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and Ustad Barkat Ali Khan sahibs gayaki, he can equally portray even the most subtle features of other major classical gharanas of India like Indore, Delhi, Jaipur, Gwalior, Agra, Kirana, Rampur and even Carnatic music of South India.[2] Recipient of as many as 5 prestigious national awards – Padma Shri (2011) - by the President of India, National Tansen Samman 2015 - by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh,[3] Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (Delhi, 1999-2000), The Kumar Gandharva Samman (National Award, 1993) and the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1989- "For bringing the rare depth of emotion, adorned by his command on the classical idiom" in Bengali Film "Chhandaneer" 1989.[4] He has also received felicitations from both the former and present Chief Ministers of his own State, West Bengal. In 2012, Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee conferred him the Maha Sangeet Samman and the Banga Bibhushan, two of the State’s highest awards. In 2015 he has received Guru Jnan Prakash Ghosh Lifetime Achievement Award. He is the first Indian classical vocalist to be invited by Pakistan and China and by BBC for their Golden Jubilee Celebration of India’s Independence. Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty has performed in innumerable concerts and is perhaps the busiest classical vocalist of his generation today. He regularly, annually participates in all the major prestigious music conferences and festivals – all over India and abroad. He has performed in some of the most prestigious venues around the world like the Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, New Orleans Jazz Preservation Hall – in the USA, including being the recipient of Golden Key to the city of New Orleans; The Royal Albert hall and Queen Elizabeth hall in the UK, Theatre de la Ville in France; Sammukhananda, Nehru Center, NCPA in Mumbai, Shirifort auditorium in New Delhi-India, to name a very few. Pt. Ajoy Chakrabarty has more than 100 albums to his credit, published from India, USA, UK, Holland and Germany that feature pure classical and light classical numbers including thumris, dadras, bhajans and other types of devotional songs. He also has numerous recordings of Shyamasangeet, Rabindra Sangeet, Nazrulgeeti, Raagpradhan and even Bengali Modern Songs that are widely popular. Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty is the resident senior most Guru of ITC Sangeet Research Academy, where along with teaching disciples he also resides with his wife Smt Chandana Chakraborty and son Ananjan, who is an upcoming music producer. Noted Indian classical vocalist Kaushiki Chakraborty is his daughter.

ArtistInfo App

Acknowledgements

ArtistInfo for Mac, iPad, and iPhone