LOS ANGELES: Pandit Girish Chatterjee, a renowned classical artist of Kolkata, is currently in Los Angeles at the invitation of Bangladesh Academy. Trained under the tutelage of his father Pandit Tarakeshwar Chatterjee, Pandit Girish is also from the Kirana Gharana.

This school of music was founded by Ustad Abdul Kareem Khan and amongst the may luminaries connected to this gharana also include Pandit Sawai Ghandharv, pandit Bhimsen Joshi and Gangubai Hangal.A close friend of Naqsh Lyallpuri Chatterjee met Pandit Bhimsen Joshi when he was 10 yrs old. Like his ancestors Pandit Girish is an exponent of pure traditional classical music like thumri, khayal dadra, bhajan, etc.

He is also a research scholar of the Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkatta for the past 10 yrs. In an exclusive interview with India Post Pandit Girish Chatterjee talked about various issues related to the fine arts.

For instance in Thumri there are 2 disctinct forms- the Panjab ang from the Patiala Gharana and the Purabang from Banaras. Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali saheb was an exponent of the Patiala Gharana whereas the Banaras Gharana is synonymous with the legendary Girija Devi.Pandit Girish Chatterjee has his own music academy in Bombay and Kolkatta. Called the Than Sur sangeet Academy, it trains over 100 students.

As a special gesture, talented kids from poor families are trained free and scholarships are also arranged to meet their education needs.During his stay in LA, Chatterjee will perform Indian classical programs, also give lessons in classical singing and musical instruments.