Surshringar.com

Somjit Dasgupta to give rare Surshringar concert
2017-06-29 19:00 - 21:30 UTC | Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII), 2615 NE Community Ln, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Surshringar.com is pleased to present a surshringar concert featuring Kolkata multi-instrumentalist Somjit Dasgupta. Considering that there are less than 20 surshringar players worldwide, this is a very rare opportunity to see a surshringar, let alone experience a surshringar performance. The event will take place outdoors in a lush floral garden featuring waterfalls with Mt Hood and Mt St Helens as a natural backdrop.
The cost is by donation. ALL PROCEEDS TO BENEFIT THE RESTORATION OF OVER 200 PRICELESS HISTORIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
About the Performer
Somjit Dasgupta is one of the leading performers of sarod, rabab, sur-rabab, mohan veena and surshringar, the playing techniques of which he learned from his late mentor Pandit Radhika Mohan Maitra, the second most recorded artist by All India Radio and one of the foremost musicians of our times. Somjit has performed around the world and at many Indian Classical Music festivals.
Unlike the majority of professional musicians, particularly instrumentalists, Somjit Dasgupta does not come from a family of professional musicians. As a child, he was fascinated by a large collection of musical instruments that his grandfather, a gentleman of leisure and taste, kept at his estate in what was once called East Bengal, then East Pakistan, and now known as Bangladesh. As a young man, Somjit’s family moved to Kolkata. At the age of 10, his father began teaching him to play the sitar. After a few years of instruction, he attended a sarod performance provided by Radhika Mohan Maitra which lasted six hours. He was so moved by the performance that he decided to take up the sarod as his instrument and set out to obtain instruction from ‘Radhu Babu’ as most people called Radhika Mohan Maitra. However, given Radhu Babu’s stature as both a musician and Zamindar, he was highly inaccessible to the public.
Radhika Mohan Maitra lived close to the Jadavpur University Campus in Kolkata in a sprawling bungalow becoming of a rich zamindar (big land owner) while he had also rented another house nearby for his disciples and guests. This is where the young Somjit, aged thirteen, visited Radhu Babu and pleaded to be taken as a disciple. To his surprise, Radhu Babu readily agreed. After consulting the Panchang, the Indian astrological calendar, he asked Somjit to return in 20 days with a sarod. Somjit was exceptionally fortunate that he was able to learn directly from Radhu Babu for the usual course was to begin under the tutelage of a senior disciple. Rather, for Somjit, from the day he began training, he stayed at the house of Radhu Babu. He lived with Radhika Mohan Maitra for eight years till Radhu Babu passed away on October 15th, 1981.
Somjit Dasgupta has developed a style of playing the surshringar, rabab, and sarod that is a genuine reflection of his teacher Radhika Mohan Maitra. His tonal movements are extremely fluid and incorporate heavy use of the drone strings, which are nicely suited for the surshringar. It is uncommon for him to promote tension producing intervals or dark tones. Rather, he commonly evokes a peaceful meditation that slows the mind and opens the heart.
Somjit is the keeper of over 200 historic musical instruments, which include many of Radhika Mohan Maitra’s instruments. The collection includes 3 different styles of surshringars one of which was owned and played by Wazir Khan, two sitars which were presented by the Dhaka nawab to Radhu Babu, several instruments invented by Radhu Babu such as the Dilbahar and the Mohan Veena, and a number of veenas. Somjit has begun restoring these instruments and intends to create a living heritage in which students can learn about the instruments, the musicians who played them, and the dhrupad music to which they were intended

Indian Classical Music Appreciation Listening Session #006
2017-06-06 19:00 - 22:00 | Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII), 2615 NE Community Ln, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Please join Brian D Bontempo, Ph.D. for an evening of curated performances or recordings made by some of the most well known Hindustani musicians in the world. All recordings will be played through a high quality sound system. In addition, stories and information will be shared about the performers, the ragas, the instruments, Hindustani music theory, and the festivals, venues, and recording studios in which these performances occurred.
In an effort to prepare everyone for Somjit Dasgupta’s upcoming surshringar performance, the next few Indian Classical Music Appreciation Listening Sessions will feature the work of Pandit Radhika Mohan Maitra. If time permits, we may also listen to recordings of the recent Portland, OR performances of Pandit Nirmalya Dey and Pandit Mohan Shyam Sharma.
If you’re feeling moved, please bring a raga recording to share. Dhrupad, Khyal, instrumental performances or recordings are all welcome. There’s no need for you to be an “expert” on your recording either. The intention is to hear something new or to listen from a different angle. In the spirit of maintaining the theme, let’s refrain from any light classical such as Bhajan, Dhammar, Thumri, Dadra, Ghazal, Chaiti, Kajri and Tappa and Qawwali.
Suggested donation is $10 with all proceeds going directly to the Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII). No one to be turned away for insufficient funds. It is more important that you come and enjoy the music than donate to the organization.

Morning Ragas with Pandit Nirmalya Dey and Pandit Mohan Shyam Sharma
2017-05-27 10:00 - 12:00 | Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII), 2615 NE Community Ln, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Don’t miss this Rare Opportunity to hear morning ragas performed by world class musicians in a beautiful outdoor setting!
Please join me and Surshringar.com for an intimate outdoor concert featuring world renowned Dhrupad vocalist Pandit Nirmalya Dey and master percussionist Pandit Mohan Shyam Sharma. In town from Delhi, India, these great maestros will be performing morning ragas, which are some of the sweetest and most uplifting ragas in the entire catalog of Indian Classical Music. The concert will occur alongside waterfalls in the gardens of our house with spectacular views of both Mt Hood and Mt St Helens as the backdrop.
About the Performers
Pandit Nirmalya Dey
Nirmalya Dey is a prominent master vocalist and teacher in the tradition of Dagarvani Dhrupad. From 1988 till 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.
Pandit Mohan Shyam Sharma
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 Ustad Asad Ali Khan. 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 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.

Nirmalya Dey Beginning Vocal Class #3
2017-05-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII), 2615 NE Community Ln, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Pandit Nirmalya Dey will be providing group instruction for those interested in voice development, Dhrupad, or North Indian Classical Music. 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. Class size will be limited to 10 so please register early. To sign up, click here.

Nirmalya Dey Beginning Vocal Class #2
2017-05-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII), 2615 NE Community Ln, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

Nirmalya Dey Beginning Vocal Class #1
2017-05-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII), 2615 NE Community Ln, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

Pandit Nirmalya Dey Concert
2017-05-21 19:30 - 22:00 | Yoga Shala North, 3808 North Williams Ave, Portland, OR, 97227, United States
Surshringar.com is pleased to welcome world renowned Dhrupad vocalist, Pandit Nirmalya Dey, to Portland, Oregon. He will be providing a traditional Dhrupad performance and will be accompanied by world renowned pakhawaj player, Pandit Mohan Shyam Sharma.
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 Z.F. 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 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.
Save

Indian Classical Music Appreciation Listening Session #005
2017-05-09 19:00 - 22:00 | Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII), 2615 NE Community Ln, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Please join Brian D Bontempo, Ph.D. for an evening of curated performances or recordings made by some of the most well known Hindustani musicians in the world. All recordings will be played through a high quality sound system. In addition, stories and information will be shared about the performers, the ragas, the instruments, Hindustani music theory, and the festivals, venues, and recording studios in which these performances occurred.
If you’re feeling moved, please bring a raga recording to share. Dhrupad, Khyal, instrumental performances or recordings are all welcome. There’s no need for you to be an “expert” on your recording either. The intention is to hear something new or to listen from a different angle. In the spirit of maintaining the theme, let’s refrain from any light classical such as Bhajan, Dhammar, Thumri, Dadra, Ghazal, Chaiti, Kajri and Tappa and Qawwali.
Suggested donation is $10 with all proceeds going directly to the Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII). No one to be turned away for insufficient funds. It is more important that you come and enjoy the music than donate to the organization.

Indian Classical Music Appreciation Listening Session #004
2017-05-02 19:00 - 22:00 | Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII), 2615 NE Community Ln, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Please join Brian D Bontempo, Ph.D. for an evening of curated performances or recordings made by some of the most well known Hindustani musicians in the world. All recordings will be played through a high quality sound system. In addition, stories and information will be shared about the performers, the ragas, the instruments, Hindustani music theory, and the festivals, venues, and recording studios in which these performances occurred.
If you’re feeling moved, please bring a raga recording to share. Dhrupad, Khyal, instrumental performances or recordings are all welcome. There’s no need for you to be an “expert” on your recording either. The intention is to hear something new or to listen from a different angle. In the spirit of maintaining the theme, let’s refrain from any light classical such as Bhajan, Dhammar, Thumri, Dadra, Ghazal, Chaiti, Kajri and Tappa and Qawwali.
Given that the forecast calls for rain, let’s explore some Megh and Mian Ki Malhar.
Suggested donation is $10 with all proceeds going directly to the Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII). No one to be turned away for insufficient funds. It is more important that you come and enjoy the music than donate to the organization.

Indian Classical Music Appreciation Listening Session #003
2017-04-25 19:00 - 22:00 | Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII), 2615 NE Community Ln, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

Indian Classical Music Appreciation Listening Session #002
2017-04-18 19:00 - 22:00 | Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII), 2615 NE Community Ln, Bend, OR, 97701, United States

Hindustani Music Appreciation Session #1
2017-04-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII), 2615 NE Community Ln, Bend, OR, 97701, United States
Please join Brian D Bontempo, Ph.D. for an evening of curated performances or recordings made by some of the most well known Hindustani musicians in the world. All recordings will be played through a high quality Nakamichi or Bose sound system. In addition, stories and information will be shared about the performers, the ragas, the instruments, Hindustani music theory, and the festivals, venues, and recording studios in which these performances occurred.
Suggested donation is $10 with all proceeds going directly to the Society for Historic and Rare Instruments of India (SHRII). No one to be turned away for insufficient funds. It is more important that you come and enjoy the music than donate to the organization.
