Bishnupur Gharana
In the 17th century, during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangazeb, Islamic fanaticism was at its peak in the Mughal empire, and thus many musicians moved to the court of the Maharaja of Bishnupur who was a known patron of the arts. The famous Dhrupad Singer Bahadur Khan of the Senia Gharana, descendant of Tansen, fled to Bishnupur and made his Gharana popular and sought refuge in the court. Bahadur Khan was not only a vocalist but could also efficiently play on such instruments as the Veena, the Rabaab, the surashringaar.
In the later part of the eighteenth century and towards the early and mid-nineteenth century, when music of different 'Gharanas' were gradually assimilating around the Khayal style, the Dhrupad style continued flourishing among the musicians of Bishnupur. Its origins and the development have led to a great openness in the teaching and evolution within this gharana.
Born on February 21, 1927 in a family of rich musical tradition dating back one hundred and fifty years Pandit Amiya Ranjan Bandyopadhyay is among the best exponents of Khayal in the country. Son and disciple of Sangeetacharya Satya Kinkar Bandyopadhyay, Pandit Bandyopadhyay is the scion of the Bishnupur gharana. Today Pandit Amiya Ranjan Bandyopadhyay is one of the senior most Khayalists still performing at the top of his form.
Born on February 21, 1927 in a family of rich musical tradition dating back one hundred and fifty years Pandit Amiya Ranjan Bandyopadhyay is among the best exponents of Khayal in the country. Son and disciple of Sangeetacharya Satya Kinkar Bandyopadhyay, Pandit Bandyopadhyay is the scion of the Bishnupur gharana. Today Pandit Amiya Ranjan Bandyopadhyay is one of the senior most Khayalists still performing at the top of his form.