Chandra Nath Shastri

Chandra Nath Shastri

Pandit Chandra with Tabla
Background information
Native name चंद्रनाथ शास्त्री
Birth name Chandra Nath shastri
Also known as Pandit Chandranath Shastri Ji
Born (1948-12-23)23 December 1948
Origin Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Genres Hindustani classical music, Banaras gharana
Occupation(s) Classical musician
Instruments Tablā, Khol, Mridangam
Years active 1960–present
Associated acts Doordarshan
Website panditchandranathshastri.weebly.com

Pandit Chandra Nath Shastri (Hindi: चंद्रनाथ शास्त्री, Bengali: চন্দ্রনাথ শাস্ত্রী) — is one of the most acclaimed and senior Tabla (Indian hand Percussion) artists and musicians from India, currently based in Kolkata.[1] He belongs to the Benares Gharana of Hindustani Classical Music. He is retired Staff (permanent) Artist in All India Radio and also performed regularly for Doordarshan – Indian National Television Channels. In addition to his musical abilities, he is also an expert Astrologer.[2]

Early life and family

Born in Dhakuria area of Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, in a well known Bramhin (Pandit) family, Chandra Nath Shastri has been groomed in a musical atmosphere since his birth. Soon his parents and family shifted to Varanasi (Banaras / Benares / Benaras), Uttar Pradesh, India. Where later he has his training in Banaras Gharana. He comes with a family link with the Indian Poet, Lyricist, Writer, Nobel Prize winner Rabindra Nath Tagore. His grandmother, Smt. Indira Devi was niece of Rabindra Nath Tagore. His father Dr. Mouli Nath Shastri was a physician by profession but he was also a spiritual guru and musician (also a Tabla player), student (singing) of Rabindra Nath Tagore. He had also done many Theater, film Acting performances (Muktisnan −1937, Sancharini −1963)[3][4] and some Theater Direction in his lifetime. Grandfather of Chandra Nath Shastri was Shri Priya Nath Shastri, who was one of the first three trustees of Visva Bharati University.[2]

Pandit Chandra Nath Shastri on Tabla, accompanied by Pandit Ramesh Misra with Sarangi, 1972 File Photo, Calcutta

Academics

Chandra Nath Shastri done his schooling (Intermediate) from C. M. Anglo Bengali Inter College, Varanasi, U.P. After that he done his Graduation in Science from Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi.[2]

Musical career

Discovering Chandranath's interest in hindustani classical music from very young age his father initially taught him to play some Taals on Tabla. Then from the age of just 5, Chandra Nath Shastri had started (got Gandabandhan) learning from his Guruji Pandit Anokhelal Mishra of Banaras.[5] He and his elder brother Partha Nath Shastry used to go to Pandit AnokhelalJi together to learn Tabla. After death of Tabla Samrat he also took lessons from Pandit Ramji Mishra (son of Pandit Anokhelal Mishra). Taking guidance from his Gurujis he became an excellent 5th generation Tabla maestro of Banaras Gharana. From the very early teeanage he also became close to Pandit Mahadev Prasad Mishra, Pandit Kishan Maharaj, Pandit Samta Prasad, Pandit Sarda Sahai, Ustad Karamatullah Khan and many more and got blessed by them.[2]

Chandra Nath Shastri Became The Champion (1st prize Winner) in All India Radio National Competition just at the very young age of 23. Often referred to by the title Pandit (from a very young age), he is an All India Radio (AIR) staff artist, Indian National Television Channel (Doordarshan) artist and also a stage performing artist. As a regular performer in TV and radio and stage, till now he has done several thousands of performances and recordings. Now he is retired from All India Radio, Calcutta.[2]

Performances

Chandra Nath Shastri has performed in many concerts in many places, including tabla solos, percussion ensembles and accompanied with countless instrumentalists and vocalists, and worked with some of the great music composers and film directors. Beside performing solo he also performed with many renowned musicians, such as – Pandit Mahadev Prasad Mishra, Pandit V. G. Jog, Ustad Sagiruddin Khan, Ustad Rashid Khan, Pandit Lalmani Misra, Pandit Buddhadev Das Gupta,[6] Pandit Shrichand Mishra, Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh, Pandit Rabindra Narayan Goswami, Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan, Pandit Shalil Shankar, Bidushi Purnima Sen, Singh Bandhu Brothers, Pandit V. Balsara, Pandit Ramesh Mishra, Manilal Nag, Tejendra Narayan Majumdar, Debashish Bhattacharya and many more. He has judged many musical competitions and talent hunt contests. He also has done many researches in Indian music and has done lots of unique creations on music especially in the field of Tabla. He is also a Pakhawaj, Khol, Mridangam and other Indian percussion instruments expert.[2]

Achievements and recognitions

Chandra Nath Shastri Became The Champion (1st prize Winner) in All India Radio National Competition in 1972.[2]

Chandra Nath Shastri is awarded with many prestigious awards for his excellence in music. He also got awarded by President of India for his Tabla playing skills. He perform both as an accompanist as well as a soloist. He is recognized as Taalmani for his excellence in rhythm and melody on Tabla.[2]

He has done several thousands of performances and recordings in All India Radio and Doordarshan.

Personal life

He enjoys teaching Tabla and other musical instrument to students all around the world. He has taught in many music schools, academies and institutes and done many musical workshops, also presently he is into these activities.[7]

Beside Music, Chandra Nath Shastri also studies and research about Spirituality and on how it effect our life. His father late Dr. Mouli Nath Shastri was grand disciple of spiritual guru Sri Bijoy Krishna Goswami and disciple of Sri Kiran Chand Darbesh Ji Maharaj. He is researching on the connection between Music and Spirituality for a long time and also gives advises to others on these topics. He is also an expert Astrologer.[2]

See also

References

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