A Sculptor Of Talent Vijay Kichlu
Meena Banerjee
PT. Shiv Kumar Sharma
Born in September 1930 in Almora, in present-day Uttarakhand, Padma Shri Pandit Vijay Kumar Kichlu is a unique combination of executive ability and artistry. He received his initial training in music under Nathuram Sharma, and while at college in Varanasi, became a disciple of Moinuddin Dagar and Aminuddin Dagar, the Senior Dagar brothers. He also benefited from guidance in music from Ustad Latafat Hussain Khan of the Agra gharana and has an impressive record of public performances, including performing over All India Radio and Doordarshan. Vijay Kichlu holds a master's degree in History from the University of Allahabad and after a successful career as a senior business executive in Calcutta (now Kolkata) planned and managed the Sangeet Research Academy (SRA) set up by ITC Ltd in 1977. As Executive Director of the institution for almost 24 years, he committed himself to the preservation and propagation of Indian classical music. A revolutionary institution, the SRA remains the only residential institution in India that imparts intensive advanced training in raga' music through the age-old Gurukul system. Vijay Kichlu has received several awards, including the prestigious Sangeet Natak Academy Ratna and Fellowship award. An authorized biography, this book takes you on a musical journey of an erudite musician and fluent speaker on music, whose aim in life through different phases and in different roles has always been to be a student and a devotee of this Mohini Vidya'.
Musicologist, art critic, trilingual writer-translator and passionate lover of music, literature, philosophy and history, Meena Banerjee has been closely associated with teaching, analytical stage presentations and music administration. A disciple of Pandit Amarnath (Kirana Indore Gharana), gold medalist in Sanskrit (MA), Sangeet Prabhakar in classical vocal and tabla, trained in thumri-ghazal and Rabindrasangeet, she initially made her mark as a highly promising vocalist, performed extensively in India and abroad and cut several discs. Gradually she emerged as an art administrator, editor and organizer. She continues to teach musicology and contributes in select dailies and premier magazines as a freelance writer. She has several books to her credit. Her works fetched many prestigious awards from non-government organizations. Meena has worked closely with Pandit Vijay Kichlu initially as his junior colleague in ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata and later, on many interesting projects including the archival 52-episode TV series ‘Raag Rang Shastra ke Sang’ telecasted on DD Bharati. Conceptualized and presented by Pandit Vijay Kichlu, this was researched, scripted and coordinated by her. The team has many more projects in the pipeline.
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