Prateek Chaudhuri

Prateek Chaudhuri, a brilliant performer of classical instrumental music was born in Delhi, India. Like Abhimanyu, he heard and ingrained the melifluous sound of sitar, while still in his mother’s womb. When he opened his eyes, he heard lullabies composed in classical melodies from his vocalist mother Manjusree, who is a disciple of Ustad Yunus Hussain Khan. He has, for his father, the renowned Sitar Maestro, Padma Bhushan Pandit Debu Chaudhuri. In such a musically fertile environment, it was no wonder that Prateek leaned heavily towards the muses and today strides the musical pantheon like a young, handsome Colossus. A votary of talent, training, education, intelligence and self-confidence, Prateek is the automatic successor to this rare "Seniya" tradition of the great Indian classical music, having a unique individual tradition of playing Sitar not only with 17 frets, but also having an individual string arrangements of it’s own
Prateek has been fortunate in being meticulously trained and guided by his father. He also had the great fortune to learn from his "Dada Guru" (father’s Guru), Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan Sahab, the great legend of the "Senia Tradition".

Prateek’s graceful style and intricate technique echo the great masters of the past. From his nimble fingers resonate, the rich tones and melodious phrases, that belies a maturity far beyond his years. His skillful fingers handle rapidly moving passages with ease, while maintaining integrity and beauty of every note, the mark of a true virtuoso.

With each performance, Prateek evokes a masterful handling of his instrument, emitting grace, fluidity, and dexterity with each note. His charming stage presence and charisma only serve to enhance the overall grandness of the performance. That being so, it must be mentioned that simplicity and clarity are the hallmark of Prateek’s style.

Prateek"s mastery over the Sitar and "Laya" has been acclaimed and praised by the leading musicians of the country and he has also been accompanied by almost all the leading Tabla maestros, in his recitals in India and abroad.

Academically, Prateek has excelled in each stage of his education. He is the recipient of the Gold Medal for his M.A. (Music), while he has also secured the first position in M.Phil (Music) examinations and Ph.d (Music) from the University of Delhi. At present, he not only performs but also teaches as a Lecturer at the Music Department of the University of Delhi.

Performance

Prateek’s first performance was at the age of four, when he rendered the National Anthem at school! Prateek, like his father, follows the Senia gharana, the followers, all of whom play the sitar with 17 frets.

His performances have got rave reviews in the media and critics have praised the simplicity, clarity and boldness of his style.

He has toured extensively throughout the world with his father as well as a solo artiste. These include America, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, England, France, Greece, Germany, Holland, Hong Kong, Japan, Morocco, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland and Yugoslavia, to name just a few. He has also successfully performed in rare countries like Panama, Columbia, Mexico, Venezuela and Guatemala under the aegis of the ICCR.

Prateek has been overwhelmed by the responses he has received in the countries that he has visited. The main purpose of the international tours has been to promote Indian culture abroad, the experiences of which, he recounts with great aplomb. He has done music workshops in different countries including Columbia.

Some of the famous performances are:

Performed at the prestigious Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Centre, in USA and Queen Elizabeth Hall in London.
Performed in many major music festivals throughout India and abroad
Received exceptional acclaim for his performance at Tansen Festival Delhi, by the press and public.
Performed a live concert on BBC 3 radio station, London
Recorded a special CD with Archive Music of India, New York, and also HMV India.
Had the honour to perform before the President of United States, Bill Clinton, during his visit to India
“Prateek has also had the opportunity to play for His Holiness Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Maharishiji, the founder of TM, is doing a pioneering work for world peace; promoting the values of our age old Vedic system, which includes Ayurveda, Sthapatya Veda, Jyotish Vidya and Gandharva Veda. Gandharva Veda, an off shoot of Sama Veda, is known as the Veda of Music. Maharishiji is pioneering this effort to create Heaven on Earth and the dissemination of knowledge through the promotion Gandharva Veda, forms an integral part of his efforts to bring eternal bliss, harmony and peace all over the world. Prateek has been very fortunate to have his blessings.”

With a high profile parentage as his, Prateek is only too aware of the responsibilities he shoulders. He candidly reasons, "People come to your concert for the first time because you are the son or daughter of so and so, but they only come again if they know you have something to offer in a musical sense." The fact that his individual recitals continue to receive critical acclaim as ever is a reaffirmation of his prodigious talent that he continues to hone and develop.

New Dimension

With his innovative ideas Prateek has also has explored and experimented successfully with Fusion music in India and abroad. He has played with the famous Western Jazz Musician Dave Pietro, the Saxophone player based in New York, who along with his group has already been nominated with 19 Grammy’s till the year 2001. The experiment was a great success and applauded by the lovers of music .

In his continued effort to show his creative ability, Prateek has also played with the Carnatic style of music, experimenting with the famous Carnatic flautist Shri G.S Rajan in India, which shows his imagination in another dimension, in his musical career .

Accolades

Amongst his many achievements and accolades, Prateek has been ranked as an ‘A’ Grade artist by All India Radio and Television, Government of India.

Recipient of Delhi State Scholarship
Recipient of the National Scholarship for music awarded by the Government of India
Represented India in Six Nation Summit Music Festival in Greece
Recipient of the fellowship of University Grants Commission (U.G.C.), Junior fellowship awarded by the Government of India
Awarded the coveted "Surmani" title from "Sur Shringar Samsad" Mumbai and "Yuva Ratna Award", Delhi, "Nikhil Banerjee Award", Lucknow
Listed in American Biographies Intl, Asia’s Who’s Who
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Contact at

J-1852, Chittaranjan Park,

New Delhi 110019

Tel : 91-11-26278877

Telefax : 91-11-26271060

Email : prateekchaudhuri@yahoo.com

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