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Kaushiki Chakraborty Desikan
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At first glance, the bold and glamorous Anoushka Shankar and the quiet and conservative Kaushiki Chakraborty Desikan seem to have nothing in common. But they do. Both are daughters of legendary musician fathers who have decided to throw convention to the winds and follow in their father’s footsteps. Kaushiki was born in Calcutta to the Hindustani classical vocalist Ajoy Chakraborty and Chandana Chakraborty. The musical atmosphere at home enhanced her natural interest and her talent became apparent at a very young age. |
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No time was wasted, as her mother started giving her lessons in music at the young age of two. Subsequently, she received lessons from Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh, and became his youngest gandabandh disciple when she was just 10. But his failing health became a deterrent to regular lessons and he asked her to continue her training under his most successful student, her father, Ajoy Chakraborty. Thus started the rise of one of the most promising young vocalists of the Hindustani tradition. Kaushiki has a very melodious voice which has been honed to perfection. Her mature performances, sound musical concepts and astounding spontaneity captivate the audience whenever and wherever she sings, be it the prestigious Dover Lane Music Conference, the ITC Sangeet Sammelan, the Spring Festival of Music in California or the Parampara Programme in Los Angeles. This young performer, in her short career, has gathered appreciation and adulation from laymen as well as musical greats like Ustad Allah Rakha Khan, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Vijay Kichlu and Pandit Shivkumar Sharma who said, “I am very happy… that Ajoy has trained his talented daughter Kaushiki Chakraborty as a very promising next.” Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri said, “Kaushiki is extremely talented, intelligent and musical and has a very good approach towards life…I am very proud and delighted to see Kaushiki’s dedication. She is already performing in many places in India and abroad and is earning the recognition she deserves early in life…I have no doubt that she will be one of the topmost vocalists of India.”. Kaushiki managed to prove the stalwarts right by receiving awards like the Jadu Bhatta Award in 1995 from the Salt Lake Cultural Association and the Outstanding Young Person Award from the Rotary Club of Calcutta as well as the BBC Award in the year 2000. In a country and profession where traditionally only sons follow in their fathers’ footsteps, it is a refreshing change to see this young maestro break the barriers of custom and carve a niche for herself. |
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PULOMA BASU has worked in media and education and as part of the editorial team at Saregama. |
