Tarun Bhattacharya

Early Life : This section requires expansion. (June 2012)Tarun Bhattacharya was born on 23 December 1957 in Howrah ( the twin city of Calcutta, India. A commerce graduate fro one of the most reputed colleges of Calcutta, young Tarun followed the call of his heart i.e. music after a few brief years of professional life. His early talim (music instructions) was from his father Rabi Bhattacharya, honed his skills under the strict vigil of Pt. Dulal Roy and finally the culmination of his learning curve was when the greatest musical icon of India to the world stage Bharat Ratna late Pt. Ravi Shankar accepted young Tarun as his only disciple on Santoor of the Maihar Gharana.
Career : India’s Global Music Ambassador- Santoor Maestro Pt Tarun Bhattacharya has been a pioneering and revolutionary musician who has changed the face of Indian classical music, he has been truly an unparalleled music ambassador of India. One of the most celebrated torch bearers of Indian classical music he has virtually traversed the globe many times over performing in some of most awe inspiring venues and cities as Royal Albert Hall, Palace-de-beaux (Brussels), Theater- De-La-Viile (France), Apollo Theatre (Spain), Jubilee Auditorium (Canada), Kremlin (Russia). The mesmerized list of admirers include Prince Charles, George Harrison, Paolo Solaris and many more of respected figures across the Globe.
The famous Maihar Gharana’s only Santoor Maestro, Pandit Bhattacharya has revolutionized Santoor, the instrument, as well as it’s style of play. He displayed for the first time ever (1980) that one could 'meend' or glide notes at the lower octave in a hammered instrument like Santoor. The champion maestro changed the art of playing santoor for ever.
Maestro Tarun Bhattacharya is the inventor of "mankas" or fine tuners that help in the tuning of this 100 stringed instrument fast, with a long lasting effect and a very high degree of accuracy. His innovative techniques of playing the Santoor also facilitates in the playing of "Krintans, Ekharatans, Boltans" broadening the utility of the Santoor in various traditional art forms. His improvisations on the shape and string arrangements have resulted in deeper and more classical sound for the Santoor. Maestro Tarun Bhattacharya is recognized the world over for his wizardry in Ragdari, as well as, Layakari (mathematical calculations) and plays music that touches the inner soul.
His Santoor thrills all his listener transcending countries, cultures, gender, religions and age. He is one of the few contemporary classical musicians who reach out to Connoisseurs and the general public as he has been to able to adapt to the changing times despite keeping to the classical genre of music.
Maestro Tarun Bhattacharya has released over 100 CDs and Cassettes. He has been the recipient of numerous felicitations like pre Grammy nomination in 97, excellence in world music USA, and his CD "Kirwani" has been acclaimed as the top 10 in the world.
He has actively endorsed the End Polio Now campaign of Rotary International as its ambassador and he has been recognized by the Indian National Polio Plus Committee both at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi and Calcutta Press Club for his invaluable role in promoting the cause.