Sitar player Anupama Bhagwat is one of the leading sitar disciples of the world-renowned Pandit Shri Bimalendu Mukherjee. Her sensitivity and erudition has taken her to the highest echelons of the modern genre, while remaining true to tradition. She has imbibed the vigor that is a hallmark of her Gharana: scintillating fast taans, mastery of the meditative alaap and brilliant fluency of melody (raag bhava), all the while maintaining her technical virtuosity.
Anupama was born in 1974 in a musically inclined family in Bhilai, India. She began her musical training in Bhilai with Shri R. N. Verma at the age of nine, having received her uncle’s sitar as a gift. At the age of thirteen, she commenced her tutelage with Pandit Shri Bimalendu Mukherjee, a doyen of the famous Imdadkhani Gharana. Under her Guruji’s guidance, Anupama acquired the finesse and technical nuances of the Gayaki style, while bringing out its lyrical beauty with the emotive cadences of the sitar. During this time, Anupama was conferred the title Surmani, by Sur Sringar Sansad, Bombay (1995); she won First Position in the All India Radio Music Competition (1994), as well as a HRD Scholarship from the Government of India (1993-1996).
Now as an established artist, besides her concert appearances worldwide, Anupama conducts sitar workshops and lecture-demonstrations.
Anupama obtained her Masters in music from Indira Kala Sangeet Vishwavidyalaya (Khairagarh), India.
Discography:
Confluence (Felmay Records, 2009)
Website /www.anupamabhagwat.com
Author: Angel Romero
Angel Romero y Ruiz has dedicated his life to musical exploration. His efforts included the creation of two online portals, worldmusiccentral.org and musicasdelmundo.com. In addition, Angel is the co-founder of the Transglobal World Music Chart, a panel of world music DJs and writers that celebrates global sounds. Furthermore, he delved into the record business, producing world music studio albums and compilations. His works have appeared on Alula Records, Ellipsis Arts, Indígena Records and Music of the World.
