Gharana - The Vishnupur Gharana meant essentially a Dhrupad
Gharana, which originated in Vishnupur in the Bankura district of
Bengal (now West Bengal) about 300 years ago and has its roots in the
"Senia Gharana". Ustad Bahadur Khan, descendent of Miyan Tansen came
to Vishnupur at the invitation of Malla King Raghunath Singh Bahadur
of Vishnupur (also spelled as bishnupur). From that time onwards
Vishnupur became a famous of learning both Dhrupad music in the
vocal and instrumental forms. Vishnupur was essentially a centre for
dhrupad culture. The founding and expansion of this gharana was an
event of great significance in the development of music in Bengal as
it helped in expanding the culture of dhrupad in Bengal. The dhrupad
of the Vishnupur gharana uses shuddha dhaivata in raga vasanta, a
touch of komal nisada in the descending notes of bhairava. It has
abandoned kadi madhyam in ramakeli, and uses suddha dhaivata in puravi
and komal nisad in vehaga. It has also developed its own character
with regard to rhythm.
Guru -
Pandit Manilal Nag, a veteran sitar maestro from
Calcutta and a contemporary of late Pandit Nikhil Banerjee is well
known to the members and audience of Surdhwani as he won their hearts
in 1990s. He belongs to the Vishnupur Gharana, Manilal Nag is the 4th
generation of the Nag familty which belonged to Vishnupur Gharana. He
learnt from his father Gokul Nag and and grand father Govinda Chandra
Nag son of Bauridas Nag. Manilal Nag is a "TOP" Grade artiste of All
India Radio and Doordarshan (TV). One of the most popular and sought
after concert sitarists of India, he has been regularly performing in
music conferences all over India and abroad. He has extensively
traveled in countries like UK, USA, Canada, France, Italy, Germany,
Japan, Australia and many others for participating in musical concerts
and festivals.
Pandit Manilal Nag, a veteran sitar maestro from
Calcutta and a contemporary of late Pandit Nikhil Banerjee is well
known to the members and audience of Surdhwani as he won their hearts
in 1990s. He belongs to the Vishnupur Gharana, Manilal Nag is the 4th
generation of the Nag familty which belonged to Vishnupur Gharana. He
learnt from his father Gokul Nag and and grand father Govinda Chandra
Nag son of Bauridas Nag. Manilal Nag is a "TOP" Grade artiste of All
India Radio and Doordarshan (TV). One of the most popular and sought
after concert sitarists of India, he has been regularly performing in
music conferences all over India and abroad. He has extensively
traveled in countries like UK, USA, Canada, France, Italy, Germany,
Japan, Australia and many others for participating in musical concerts
and festivals.