Jugalbandi: A duet of sitar & sarod

By Soumitra Thakur (sitar) &
Pratik Shrivastava (sarod)

An NCPA Presentation

Supported by Citi

A jugalbandi based on either vocal or instrumental music is an interesting feature of Indian art (classical) music performance. In the field of instrumental music, it often involves two different instruments like sitar and sarod that are complementary to each other on the basis of tuning and repertoire.

Initiated into the world of music at the age of four, Soumitra Thakur learnt sitar in the Bishnupur style from his uncle, Prashanta Thakur. Later, he was privileged to be guided by the renowned vocalist Rashid Khan, who taught him to bring in the intricacies of vocal music into his sitar idiom. At present, he trains with Kushal Das from the Maihar tradition. An ‘A’ grade artiste of All India Radio, Thakur is a recipient of many prestigious awards and accolades including the NCPA-Citi scholarship (2021). He has performed widely at home and overseas.

Pratik Shrivastava took to the sarod at the age of six under the tutelage of his grandfather, Rabi Chakraborty, and was later trained by his uncle, Dr. Rajeeb Chakraborty. He was also fortunate to receive guidance from veterans like Ajoy Chakrabarty and Tejendra Narayan Majumdar. From a young age, Shrivastava has had the opportunity to perform in many countries and work with iconic musicians from the world of classical, popular and jazz music traditions.

Thakur and Shrivastava have been playing duets regularly and have developed an intrinsic understanding of each other’s styles and repertoires.

Box Office now open.