Professional Sitar Musician to perform for Rotorua Public

19 January 2012

Professional Sitar Musician to perform for Rotorua Public

Prof. Prasanta Bhanja who is a professional musician, from one of the world's oldest tradition of music, will perform on sitar on Sunday, 29 January 2012 at Linton Park Community Centre (16 Kamahi Place, Pukehangi, Rotorua) from 4.30 - 6.00 pm for the public.

He will be accompanied by his wife, Tulu Bhanja, on the tamboura (stringed drone) and on the tabla (traditional hand drums) by one of NZ's leading tabla players, Sharanpal Singh.

The concert will consist of a short introduction to the history and aesthetics of Indian classical music, followed by approximately an hour long performance.

During his previous visits to New Zealand, Prof. Bhanja performed to critical acclaim in both the North and South Islands. During this time, apart from public concerts, he was invited to teach the fundamentals of Indian classical music to students of Western classical music. Prof. Bhanja was then hosted by various institutions including Auckland University, Wellington Conservatorium of Music, Massey University, and Otago University (as a William Evans visiting fellow).

"We are grateful to have an artist of such calibre performing in Rotorua," said Murali Magesan, a member of Hindu Youth New Zealand and coordinator of this programme.

Prof. Bhanja has dedicated his professional life to teaching and performing Indian classical music on the sitar. In the current visit to New Zealand, Prof Bhanja is interested in performing for all audiences, particularly to those who want to understand more, and want to learn to appreciate this wonderful form of music.

Originally trained by his father, the late Pandit Sushil Bhanja, who was himself a student of the renowned Ustad Allaudin Khan, Prof. Bhanja became a part of the Faculty of Music at Visva Bharati University – Santiniketan, West Bengal. This University was founded by the famous Hindu poet and Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

Prof. Bhanja has travelled to and performed in many counties around the world including Switzerland, France, Germany, USA, and Sri Lanka.

His wife, Tulu, is also a very accomplished painter. She will be bringing over a selection of her paintings and drawings to exhibit in Rotorua.

Prof Bhanja's visit to Rotorua is sponsored by the Hindu Council of New Zealand.

People may know the venue by the name Rotorua West Bowling Club, where “Health for Humanity” Yogathon was organised.

Time and date of sitar performance: Sunday, 29 January 2012, 4.30 - 6.00 pm
Location: Linton Park Community Centre (16 Kamahi Place, Pukehangi, Rotorua)
Free Entry, seating allows for 120 people (first come first served)

ENDS

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