India's Ace Flautist , needs no introduction to music lovers all over the globe. By virtue of his phenomenal talent, he and the Bansuri are literally synonymous. If the flute is likened to a temple, Pt. Ronu Majumdar would be its foremost worshipper. Ranendranath Majumdar, popularly known as Ronu Majumdar is a force to reckon with in the realm of Indian classical music both as a thinking musician and scintillating performer. Ronu Majumdar began playing the flute under the guidance of his father Dr. Bhanu Majumdar, late Pt. Lakshman Prasad Jaipurwale and finally the revered Pt. Vijay Raghav Rao. He was also fortunate to receive training from his grand guru Pt. Ravi Shankar. A powerhouse performer, Ronu Majumdar is firmly rooted in the Maihar gharana which has also given shape to sturdy musical oaks like Pt. Ravi Shankar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.Ronu ji's Bansuri is transcendental. It transports you to a zone where divinity reigns supreme and produces a balmy effect thereby taking us on a spiritual journey. His Bansuri keeps juggling between eras. At one moment, it reminds you of the mythical Ras Leela of Lord Krishna and his Gopis; the next instance could be a jam session with ace guitarist Ry Cooder and Lary Coryell. Somewhere in between you will find a Grammy Nomination and a concert at The Kremlin, Moscow or The Palais de Beaux Arts, Brussels or Sawai Gandharva Mahotsav, Pune. And mind you, it's the same Bansuri that carries the sound of India's underbelly to the highest echelons of West. Pt. Majumdar is a major innovator with New Age Music by having introduced a completely new Aesthetic in Indian Music through his epoch-making album “Song of Nature/ A Traveller's Tale”. Ronu ji is also a Grammy Nominee for his work with the Banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck in the album “Tabula Rasa” {1996}. He has performed and composed for the Hollywood movie “Primary Colours” and collaborated with top artists like George Harrison, Ry Cooder, John Hassels, Lary Coryell and Indian maestros like Pt. Ravi Shankar, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi, Pt. Jasraj and Kishori Amonkar. |  | ||||||||
He has extensively recorded for Bollywood greats like R. D. Burman, Gulzar, Khayyam, Vishal Bharadwaj to name a few. In 1994, Ronu ji recorded for the Merchant Ivory film “In Custody”, music of which was composed by Zakhir Hussain. The music of India's first I- Max film (Mystic India) was also scored by Pt. Ronu Majumdar.
His Sadhana School of Music in Chicago, USA is solely aimed at spreading awareness and generating interest about our varied Classical Art forms. While legendary guitarist Ry Cooder called him- “Dr. Feelgood of Indian Flute”, his Guru Pt. Vijay Raghav Rao remarked “ Ronu is mightier than most of the musicians in the country today”. HIGHLY SOUGHT AFTER ALBUMS
AWARDS BESTOWED ON PANDIT MAJUMDAR :
Yet, one can safely say that these esteemed titles aren't the real parameters to judge his glory. Pandit Ronu Majumdar's real success lies in the fact that he is one of those great artists who has influenced the music connoisseur's tastes over the years displaying wide range performances across genres and musical boundaries. His crossover projects impart a true oneness of mind, like Bach singing through a bansuri…
Pt. Ronu Majumdar's versatility as an artist is not confined merely within the precincts of our nation. His experiments which reflect a sense of deep rootedness in traditional Indian Music coupled with formidable knowledge of World Music have rightfully earned him the sobriquet of a "World Musician." Pt. Majumdar was formally introduced to audiences beyond Indian shores in 1988 by this illustrious grand guru, Pt. Ravi Shankar at the Moscow festival. There has been no looking back for the maestro ever since. West beckoned him and various heart warming collaborations with International greats like George Harrison, George Brooks, Philip Glass, Zakir Hussain, Ry Cooder, Bela Fleck, Lary Corryel saw the light of the day. His international releases like 'FASCINOMA' with guitarist Ry Cooder, John Hassels (Water Lily Acoustics), In search of life with Christian Seiferd (Universal), "Tabula Rasa" with Bela Fleck, the American Banjo Virtuoso, "Moonlight Whispers" with Larry Corryel, Inside Kremlin, Chants of India and Passages are endeavours on his mission to endear the glory of the humble Bansuri. Ronuji joined Michael Stipe of REM, Robbie Williams, Asha Bhosle, Baaba Maal and a host of other noted musicians on the genre crossing "One Giant Leap" (Palm Pictures).
John Pareles in The New York Times (Feb 23, 2001) remarked-"Mr. Majumdar draws deep, melting tones from the Bansuri in the meditative preludes to the ragas, as if drawing the melodies, and when the tempo picks up and the drum joins in, this phrases still hover with an other worldly tenderness." The flute (Bansuri) is considered to be the most ancient and natural musical instrument. The idea of fashioning this instrument occurred while listening to the sweet notes generated by the blowing of wind through the holes carved on the bamboo sticks by pests and insects for centuries together. The flute was the principal, pastoral instrument. Late Pandit Pannalal Ghosh elevated it to the status of a Concert instrument. | |||||||||
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Saturday, August 6, 2011
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