Artist Profiles: Tejendra Narayan Majumdar

Tejendra Narayan Majumdar

Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar was born May 17, 1961. He is an Indian sarod player and pupil of Bahadur Khan. Tejendra Narayan Majumdar is one of the most influential and well-respected sarod musicians in India today. He is one of the leading exponents of the Senia Maihar gharana, a musical ‘family’ which has produced giants such as Ravi Shankar and Ali Akbar Khan.

Like so many of India’s musicians, his training started at home from an early age. His grandfather, Bhibuti Ranjan Majumdar, and father Ranjan Majumdar provided early inspiration and guided the young prodigy through the initial part of his learning. Later, he became the disciple of the distinguished sarod maestro Ustad Bahadur Khan and embarked on a path of rigorous training that was to last for eighteen years. All great Indian musicians share a seemingly unlimited appetite for learning and self-improvement, which continues throughout their career. After the death of his guru, although by then a popular performing artist in his own right, Tejendra has pursued musical training and guidance under the tutelage of the most revered sarod legend, Ali Akbar Khan.

Through his own endeavors and practice and with the benefit of all these influences, Tejendra has successfully developed a unique style of playing incorporating the dynamic instrumental approach, tantrakari with the melodic, lyrical vocal style known as gayaki. His success in blending these two styles has made him one of the most sought after performing artists in India and abroad today.

Discography:

Raga Ahari (India Archives, 2001)
Raga Kafi Kanada (India Archives, 2003)
A Light from the East (Sense World Music, 2003)
Twilight Melodies (Navras Records, 2006)
Andaaz (Sense World Music, 2006)
Silken Strings (Rhyme Records, 2008)

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.

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