ಹಿಂದೂಸ್ತಾನಿ ಶಾಸ್ತ್ರೀಯ ಗಾಯಕ ಸಂಯೋಜಕ ಮತ್ತು ಗುರು ಪಂಡಿತ್ ಅಜೋಯ್ ಚಕ್ರಬರ್ತಿ

Pandit Ajoy Chakrabarty (born 25 December 1952) is an Indian Hindustani Classical Vocalist, Composer, Lyricist and Guru, poised nearly as a cult figure among all the legendary Indian Classical Musicians. Although considered a scion and doyen of the Patiala-Kasur Gharana(style), primarily representing Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan and Ustad Barkat Ali Khan sahibs gayaki, he can equally portray even the most subtle features of other major Classical gharanas of India like Indore, Delhi, Jaipur, Gwalior, Agra, Kirana, Rampur and even Carnatic music of South India. Recipient of national awards –Padma Shri(2011) - by the President of India, National Tansen Samman 2015 - by the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award(Delhi, 1999-2000), The Kumar Gandharva Samman (National Award, 1993) and the National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer in 1989- "For bringing the rare depth of emotion, adorned by his command on the classical idiom" in Bengali Film “Chhandaneer” 1989.

• Early life : Chakrabarty was born in Kolkata, West Bengal to Shri Ajit Chakrabarty in a Hindu Brahmin family. He moved to India from his homeland, Bangladesh during the partition and raised two sons in Shyamnagar. His younger brother, Sanjay Chakraborty is a world class lyricist and composer.
He graduated top of his class in music, both in B.A and M.A from the prestigious Rabindra Bharati University in Kolkata and joined the ITC Sangeet Resarch Academy in 1977. Being the academy’s very first outstanding scholar, he became their only gold medalist fellow, a member of their Experts’ Committee and a senior Guru where he still serves as a prime mover in all its promotional courses to date.
His father, late Shri Ajit Kumar Chakraborty was his first Guru. After this Shri Pannalal Samanta and Shri Kanaidas Baigari were the ones with whom his initial orientation with music happened, before he was warmly accepted by the ultimate and the greatest Guru of all times, Padmabhushan Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh. His training was then continued under Ustad Munawar Ali Khan(son of Ustad Bade Ghulam AliKhan).

• Singing career : Thus far, Chakrabarty has recorded over 100 albums, mostly published from India, the United States, Canada, UK, and Germany, composed of pure classical numbers including live performances and various other genres – Thumri, Dadra, Bhajan and other devotional songs like Shyamasangeet and many Bengali numbers, including songs of Tagore and Qazi Najrul Islam.
Inspired by the ideals of his Guru Jnan Prakash Ghosh, Chakrabarty founded Shrutinandan– A Music Kingdom, a musical institution designed to preserve and perpetuate the tradition of Indian Raga music. By the late 90s, he started to nurture young and budding talents in his music school, and it has since developed into a 1000+ strong body after a period of a decade and a half. Still today, every aspect of Shrutinandan, particularly the development of each student, is closely monitored by Chrakrabarty himself, along with a group of 35 teachers, personally trained by him. The success of his teaching method is demonstrated by his daughter and disciple Kaushiki Chakraborty, who is accepted globally as the torch-bearer of the Shrutinandan Concept and as an accomplished female vocalist. Along with her, Shrutinandan has produced a dozen other vocalists and instrumentalists of international acclaim in this period of time.

• Personal life : Chakrabarty is married to Chandana Chakraborty. Their daughter, Kaushiki Chakraborty is an accomplished vocalist of Hindustani classical music. Their son, Ananjan Chakraborty is a sound engineer and upcoming music director/producer.

• Awards : National Award– 1989, Kumar Gandharva Award– 1993, Sangeet Natak Akademi award– 2000, Padmashree– 2011, Banga Bibhushan– 2012, Alva's Virasat Award – 2012 and many others.

On his Birthday, Hindustani Classical Music And Everything wishes him a long, healthy and active musical life ahead. 🙂 🎂🙏