Anjan Chattopadhyay, the sitar player, born in a Bengali aristocratic family in Calcutta, India, was initiated to the art of sitar playing by his elder brother, a veteran Surbahar player, Pandit Gourisankar Chattopadhyay, a disciple of Pandit Birendra Kishore Roy Chowdhury. In addition to that he started taking further training from Kalyani Roy, a reputed sitarist and one of the few disciples of Ustad Vilayat Khan. He also had lessons in vocal music from late Muktipada Datta, a representative of Agra Gharana. Anjan also learned tabla under the late Ustad Shaukat Ali Khan of Farukhabad gharana. Anjan lives in Calcutta and teaches music.
Performance
Anjan has performed in hundreds of concerts in India and abroad. Among them worthy of mentions are some of his concerts in India:
In his musical career, Anjan has got numerous awards, and felicitations. The chronology of awards are as follows:
In 1986, he was awarded the first prize in All India Music Competition organized by the State Music Academy of West Bengal Government.
In 1987, he was felicitated with the title ‘SURMANI’ after performing at Kal-Ke-Kalakar music festival in Mumbai.
In 1988, he was awarded with the title ‘Sangeet Visharad’ by Pracheen Kalakendra, Chandigarh. In the same year he got ‘Sangeet Kriya Visharad’ title from Sourav Academy Board, Kolkata. On this occasion, the renowned violinist Padmabhushan Pandit V. G. Jog felicitated him after his concert.
In 1990, during his tour to U.S.A, the Academy of Indian Music and Fine Arts and University of Maryland, Baltimore County felicitated him with the certificate of Achievement.
In that year he got the opportunity to be honored with the GOVERNOR’S CITATION from the Honorable Governor of New Jersey – Mr James Florio.
In 1994, Padmabhushan Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh, one of the music legends of India, proclaimed Anjan as ‘one of the most talented young sitar players of India".
Swar-Sadhna Samity of Mumbai and Rotary Club of Lake Green Kolkata, honored him on his enthralling performances.
In 2004, Anjan received ‘GOVERNOR’S CITATION’ from Mr.Robert Ehrlich, the honourable Governor of the State of Maryland after performing his sitar recital in presence of the honourable Senator Mr Paul Sarbanes.
In 2005, Anjan has been awarded with Swami Haridas Samman award given by Surabithi College of Music, Calcutta.
In 2006, Anjan has been honored with Ustad Vilayat Khan Music Award given by Geetichakra college, Chandannagar, West Bengal.
