Belabaharr and Tabla Artist Pt. Naviin Gandharv (Born 20 December 1976) A young multi-talented musician who plays the unique instrument ,‘Belabaharr’ which was invented nearly 4 decades ago by Pt. Babulal Gandharv (Naviin`s father ) Belabaharr is one-of-a-kind instrument that merges the principles of Violin , Sarangi and Vocal music .He continues to drive this legacy of with single handed efforts other than playing it differently with new creativity of poetic and aesthetic feel. .Belabaharr is not just a gift to the world of music but also the pride of India. Pt.Naviin is also class distinct Tabla player with equal passion & dexterity which gives listeners a melodic and spiritual bliss developed from years of saadhna, listening and learning from great mentor legendary Ustad Allarakha and many great Maestros whom he is inspired to. Pt.Naviin`s association with great maestros has polished him to be a dynamic & versatile performer only one of its kind.It is said that melody & rhythm is a rare & uncommon combination. But with immense dedication to music Pt.Naviin lived up to his name Pt.Naviin has performed for various musical & other institutions like NCPA, ICCR, Essar Group, Lakme Fashion Week, IMG St. Xavier’s College, Vedic Celebrations, Young String Masters of India for Kanakia Art Foundation, Indus Internationals, Hindustan Times, Sahara India, Celebrate Bandra, Osho, Whistling Woods Intenationals, Adhyatmik Raj Gurukulam, Indor Stadium At, Orrissa, VLCC Events Muscat , IIC India International Centre, Azad Bhavan, Habitat Amphitheatre, JW Marriot Mumbai, Prithvi Theatre, Bhavans Cultural Centre, Art Des Film Centre, Museum Kala Ghoda, Devals Club Kolhapur, Mayo College Ajmer, Bombay Stock Exchange BSE, GSC Goregaon Sports Club, Iyengar Yogsabha, Hongkong Baptist University, Delhi International Arts Festival DIAF, IIT Powai, Upvan Sanskriti Arts Festival, Singhasth Mahakumbh etc. Pt.Naviin has been successful in creating his own audience & fan following all over by single handed efforts popularizing the Belabaharr & also been loyal to the Tabla art. The unique attribute of Pt.Naviin is he is one of the rare artists to be selected by ICCR Indian Council for Cultural Relations in both the solo instruments. Pt Naviin has conducted many lecture demonstrations and workshops of music for Essar Group, Whistling Woods International, Chinmaya mission guiding youngsters who inspired with his music Pt.Naviin has collaborated with many international artists and bands like Mala band UK ,Hangmassive band France, Tetseo Sisters , Avanti Nagral US, Hamed Soraya Iran ,Philip Mescheryakov Russia ,Istevan Jeszenski Hungary ,Falu Shah US , Raimund Imo Germany ,Ignatius Camilo India and many others An all rounded musician known for his versatility, Pt. Naviin performs music that appeals to connoisseurs of Indian classical as well as those drawn to contemporary fusion. He has proven to be a great visionary who has over the years added new dimensions to Indian classical through his highly acclaimed classical band `Anuraaj` that promotes India`s musical heritage to audiences of all age groups, all over the world. `Anuraaj` combines Indian and Western Instruments, infusing creativity in performances curated on the basis of the audience and space. With the strong belief that music breaks barriers, forges bonds and holds the key to a pleasant tomorrow, Pt. Naviin Gandharv remains dedicated to enlightening ,entertaining, educating and presenting his virtuosity to one and all.
Tarun Bhattacharya is a professional instrumentalist based out of the capital of West Bengal, Kolkata. The santoor player is India’s global music ambassador, and a revolutionary and pioneering musician who is changing the face of Indian classical music. He has received talim (music instructions) from his father, Pt Rabi Bhattacharya, Pt Dulal Roy, and finally from Pt Ravi Shankar, a great Bharat Ratna recipient. One of the most celebrated torch bearers of Indian classical music, Tarun has virtually traversed the globe many times over performing in some of most awe-inspiring venues and cities like Palace-de-beaux (Brussels), Royal Albert Hall, Theater- De-La-Ville (France), Jubilee Auditorium (Canada), Apollo Theatre (Spain), and Kremlin (Russia). Some of his mesmerized admirers include George Harrison, Prince Charles, Paolo Solaris and many more respected figures around the world. He displayed, for the first time in 1980, that one could slide notes at the lower octave in a hammered instrument like Santoor. He is the inventor of ‘mankas’ or fine tuners, which helps in tuning this 100-stringed instrument fast, with a very high degree of accuracy and a long-lasting effect. Some of his innovative techniques of playing the Santoor also facilitates in the playing of Ekharatans, Krintans, and Boltans, thus broadening the utility of the Santoor in various traditional forms of art. Recognised worldwide for Layakari (mathematical calculations) as well as Ragdari, Tarun plays music that will move you. He can improvise on the shape and string arrangements to produce classical music from the Santoor, which touches your soul – be it of a common man or that of a connoisseur! He has released more than 150 CDs and cassettes. He has been a recipient of numerous felicitations like Excellence in World Music (USA), Pre-Grammy nomination in 1997, and his CD, ‘Kirwani’, has been acclaimed as the top 10 in the world. Tarun is also a member of Rotary International’s Global Ambassador for Peace and Goodwill.
