Pandit Nirmalya Dey PDX 2017

Dhrupad Performance Sunday May 21, 2017 7:00 PM


World renowned Indian Dhrupad vocalist, Pandit Nirmalya Dey, will be giving his first Dhrupad performance in Portland, Oregon at Yoga Shala North on Sunday May 21st, 2017. Doors Open at 6:30 PM. The concert will begin at 7:00 PM. He will be accompanied by world renowned pakhawaj player, Pandit Mohan Shyam Sharma. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.

Group and Private Instruction May 22, 24, & 26, 2017

Nirmalya Dey with Students

Pandit Nirmalya Dey will also be offering group and private instruction. Participants will receive voice training on techniques to produce vibrant sound, tonal embellishment, and accurate intonation. Panditji will also provide instruction on the tonal shades (shruti) of each note (swara), the principles of raga exposition (alap), and Dhrupad theory. The group lessons will be approximately 90 minutes in length and will occur on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each class will cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door. The beginning group classes will take place from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. The time for the intermediate group classes will be determined based on the schedules of those interested in participating. Class size will be limited so please register early.

Private instruction will also be available. In addition to Dhrupad vocals, Panditji can provide Dhrupad instrumental instruction. Lastly, Pandit Mohan Shyam Sharma can provide pakhawaj lessons to percussionists interested in the instrument. Private instruction is on a first-come, first-serve basis. To sign-up for classes or private instruction, click here.

About the Performers

Nirmalya Dey – Dhrupad Vocals

Nirmalya Dey is a prominent master vocalist and teacher in the tradition of Dagarvani Dhrupad. From 1988 til 2013, Nirmalya Dey learned from celebrated Dhrupad master, Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar. He regularly performed on the stage with Ustad ZF Dagar until he passed away in 2013.

Early in his career, Nirmalya Dey’s musical prowess was acknowledged as he won the first prize at the National Music Competition organized by the All India Radio in 1979. In recognition of his excellence and achievement in Dhrupad, Nirmalya Dey was awarded the senior fellowship by the Ministry of Human Resource Department, Government of India. He was later bestowed with the Top Grade by the Music Audition Board of India’s national broadcasting channel, All India Radio, for his distinctive musical art in the Dhrupad tradition.

Nirmalya Dey is a distinguished artist and has been invited to perform in numerous prestigious festivals and concerts in India and abroad. Beside his solo performances, Nirmalya has adopted the tradition of “Jugalbandi”, the musical dialogue between two musicians of the same genre, and sang with Rudra Veena Maestro Ustad Baha’ud-din Dagar for several concerts.

Despite the demands placed on his schedule as a performer, Nirmalya Dey is a devoted teacher, grooming and initiating the next generation of artists in Dhrupad. He has taught at the University of Delhi and Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra (Delhi) and conducted workshops around the world, including in Europe and North America. When not performing, Nirmalya teaches at the Dhrupad Gurukul in Delhi, India.

More information can be found at Pandit Nirmalya Dey.

Pandit Mohan Shyam Sharma – Pakhawaj (drum)

Pandit Mohan Shyam Sharma is one of the leading Pakhawaj players of India. He learnt the pakhawaj from Pandit Tota Ram Sharma of Mathura. Pandit Mohan Shyam Sharma started his career as an accompanist with the junior Dagar brothers and toured with them, and with Ustad Asad Ali Khan extensively in India and abroad.

He is a much sought-after accompanist for all the most eminent exponents of dhrupad, vocal and instrumental indian classical music. He has accompanied world famous musicians of other styles as well including Pandit Ravi Shankar, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, and Ustad Amjad Ali Khan.

The specificity of his playing lies in his handling of the techniques of accompaniment. It is marked by his imaginative variations anticipating on the singer’s variations while keeping up the required coordination and respecting the mood of the raga. He has a personality of his own and yet blends in the performance.

He has given workshops and solo performances. He has been recorded in solo by India Archive Music Limited. He has also made a name for himself as a very talented teacher in the guru-shishya parampara style of teaching and has many students, Indian and foreigners. He has appeared on a number of CD recordings in India, Switzerland, England, and the USA.

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