Dr. Rajat Banerjee is a Manna Dey virtuoso, who has been specifically requested by the legend to share his music and memories. To that end, having enthralled audiences to soul-stirring rendition of his songs from Birmingham to Bengal, he is embarking on his maiden US tour. He will also bring a collection of the legend’s private recordings to share with his audience.
Dr Rajat Banerjee was initiated into music at a very young age by his mother. His formal music education started under Sri Bimal Adak, on the tabla, following the lineage of the Farukkabad gharana. At the age of 13 he attended a few shows of the Legendary Padmashree Manna Dey, invariably accompanied by the table wizard Sri Radha Kanto Nandi.
A new chapter started in his life as the Radhubabu suddenly accepted him as a student and introduced him to the Legend of India, Padmabhushan Manna Dey. Rajat became very close to the legend and the relationship changed to a very special one.
About the same time Rajat met another giant of Indian classical music, solo harmonium player, Pandit Deb Kumar Banerjee. Rajat began to accompany him regularly on the tabla. There was a span of 10 years when the intensity of solo harmonium was such that Kolkata Doordarshan invited the Banerjees to perform on the television, on several occasions.
A documentary film was produced, THE MUSICAL BLACK BOX, depicting the story of the emergence of harmonium as a classical instrument over a century. Rajat by this time had a solid foundation with his grooming in orthodox Hindustani classical music. Through his accompaniment he imbibed the complexities of Raga and Laya and the intricacies of Thumri presentation. Supporting his gurus with tabla accompaniment became a regular feature in his life besides a very demanding medical profession for his livelihood.
Manna Dey Connection
Late 80’s onwards he became intimately close to Manna Dey and decided to sing his songs only to continue the legacy. After coming to UK, Rajat decided to only pursue vocal music. His first Bengali CD, Notun Probhat was released and his singing talents were revealed to his master, Manna Dey. The legend himself advised him to learn from him seriously. He was tutored ina wide range of specialities for his solo performances: Bengali and Hindi modern and film music. Alongside he learnt Rabindra sangeet, Nazrul sangeet, Bhajans, light Ghazals, Geet, Folk, Bhatiali, Qwalis and semi classical numbers. He used to meet the legend every year and the lessons became strenuous and very personal.
Manna Dey kept his promise and stayed with him in UK, in his last international tour. During these two weeks stay, Rajat got the most intense teaching from his master.
Shortly before his death, Rajat met him for the last time. Manna Dey blessed him with his own iconic caps and asked him to wear during his performances. Also he signed off a declaration stating his final wish of publishing the lifelong collections, more than 100 hours of live recordings that Rajat has collected over 30 years of his association with the Legend.
The mainstay of his performance, as instructed by Manna Dey himself, is the passion behind every note and every word of the impeccable tune and lyrics, he inherited from his guru.
