University of Virginia Library

Banerjee To Give Sitar Concert;
Called 'Brilliant' Young Musician

By Pieter Schenkkan
Cavalier Daily Staff Writer

Nikhil Banerjee, called the
"most brilliant young sitarist in
India today," will give three performances
at the University October
17, 18, and 19.

The sitar is a large, 19-string
Indian instrument whose exotic
sound has swept into western
music in recent years. The
Beatles' George Harrison started
the trend by going to India to
study under master musician
Ravi Shankar. The song "Norwegian
Wood" was the result.

The Doors and other groups
followed suit, and the sitar is
now heard on every pop radio
station. San Francisco groups
have even created a "raga rock"
sound.

Mr. Banerjee was brought to
the United States by the American
Society for Eastern Arts.
This is his first American tour,
but he has played in most of the
major cities of Russia and China.

His performances here are being
sponsored by the Committee
on Asian Studies and the Department
of Music.

Mr. Banerjee received his first
instruction in the sitar from his
father, a well-known Indian musician.

Later he studied under
Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Ravi
Shankar, the two Indian musicians
best known in this country.

Accompanying him on the
tabla will be Kanai Dutta, who
has accompanied Shankar and
Khan on tours and records, and
is considered one of the best living
tabla players. The tabla is a
set of hand-drums used to produce
the complex rhythmic cycles |