About us

Our Story

The Ananda Dhwani Music Trust, Bangalore, a not-for-profit organization that seeks to promote, and thereby preserve Indian Classical Music and Dance. Started in 2011, the trust was formally registered in 2017 and since then there has been no looking back. The primary goal of the trust is to bring forth the joys of Indian classical music and dance, through world-class performances, as well as create a platform to nurture upcoming talent in this spectrum.

The seeds of ‘Ananda Dhwani’ were sown by the renowned Sitarist, Late Pandit Deepak Choudhury, one of the icons of the Maihar Gharana and a direct disciple of Bharat Ratna, Pandit Ravi Shankar. The seeds sown by Deepakji are being nurtured by his disciple, Sri Prabir Bhattacharya and his students. Prabirji is the Founding President of the trust. The name has been derived from the raga Ananda Dhwani a composition by Deepakji.

Our Inspiration

Sitar maestro Late Pandit Deepak Choudhury

Ananda Dhwani Music Trust’s inspiration, Late Pandit Deepak Choudhury, was one of the foremost disciples of the much revered genius, Pandit Ravi Shankar.

Deepakji was considered to be one of the doyens of the Maihar Gharana, in his generation of musicians. Besides performing in concerts the world over, he was a faculty in the Department of Instrumental Music, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata, till his demise.

The name ‘Ananda Dhwani’ originates from the Raga Anandhwani, composed by Deepakji. The Raga is a blend of the Carnatic Raga Hamsadhwani and the Hindustani Raga, Anandi Kalyan.

Through Ananda Dhwani, the legend of Deepakji will be carried forward by his students and grand students, led by his foremost student, Sangeet Ratna Shri Prabir Bhattacharya.

Our Heartfelt Pranams to Pandit Deepak Choudhuryji for his inspiration.

OUR OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of the Trust is to create a platform for young and
upcoming artistes to showcase their talent along with the well-established
maestros by

Organizing world class concerts – like the Whitefield Music Festival
Organizing annual talent hunts, to identify excellence in the field of Indian Classical Music & Dance- like Sangeet Pratibha
Organizing Chamber Concerts to inculcate confidence in young artistes and have performances in a more intimate environment
Annual Training camps for continued training to facilitate musicians to pursue education

In line with the objectives of the members and trustees feel- “The Indian Classical Music and art forms have been losing their essence and there is a drift away from our heritage and culture. Through these events, we try to focus on generating awareness about our classical art forms, and thereby make classical music and dance as much as a part of our lifestyle, as other genres. We are offering free entry, hoping to encourage larger audiences to come and enjoy the performances.”

Meet the Team

Sangeet Ratna Prabir Bhattacharya

Founder And Guru

Prabir Bhattacharya, is a Gold Medalist in M.A. (Music) from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata and currently pursuing PhD degree from same University.

Sushanta Mukherjee

Trustee

He was General manager at Cottage Industries in Govt. of India . Then started working in “Tarang” as a director. He also plays Mohan Veena under hos Guru sri Viswa Mohan Bhatt. Now he continues learning under Guru Prabir bhattacharya. His main interests are in Indian handicrafts, classical and folk music.

Mrs. Ishita Datta

Trustee

Ishita Datta is an Economics graduate from Lady Shriram College, Delhi. She went on to do a MBA from Delhi and worked in several companies in the corporate sector. She also holds a Masters degree in Sociology. She hung up her corporate boots in 2004 and has been working in the social sector ever since. She lives in Bangalore with her husband and daughter.

Ishita has been trained in music both vocal and instrumental ever since she was 12 years. After relocating to Bangalore in 1997 she trained with Pandit Harendra in Hindustani vocal, before starting her training with Sangeet Ratna Pandit Prabir Bhattacharya in 2005. She enjoys singing devotional songs the most.

Music for her is a mood changer and a channel to communicate with the Divine.