Pittsburgh_Patrika_July_2018

The Pittsburgh Patrika, Vol, 23, No. 4, July 2018
Jersey. Samar, a metallurgist by profession, joined US Steel’s R&D after
arriving
S
from New Jersey.
amar had his early schooling in Banaras where he got interested in
learning the tabla. But his father would not encourage him to go
into music. Samar used a colorful
expression to describe
how his father reacted when
he told his dad he wanted to
pursue music.
Later, his interest in classical
music blossomed when
he went to college in Kolkata.
During his tumultuous college
days in the 1960s, with
the Naxalbari Movement in Jugalbandi with Jay Gandhi on the bansuri (flute)
full swing in Bengal, Samar and Sitarist Abhik Mukherjee accompanied by Pt.
Samir Chatterjee (tabla).
managed to attend all-night
concerts of artistes of great repute. His interest in cultivating a keen
interest in music and musicians was greatly reinforced.
Samar even dabbled in western music in college. In 1975, he married
Mala -- it was an arranged marriage. Mala had her training in Rabindra
Sangeet and Hindustani classical music. So it was natural both the Sahas
are passionate about music.
The Sahas’ move to the US in the early 1970s directly as green-card
holders was quite accidental. They settled down in New Jersey. While
in New Jersey Samar became part of the Bengali Cultural Organization
Kallol.
At Kallol he introduced Hindustani cassical music concerts despite the
apprehension of some members that it might not go well with their members.
With the concerts well-liked by the members,
Samar got first-hand experience in organizing music
recitals and dealing with artistes.
The Sahas also came in contact with the tabla
maestro Pandit Samir Chatterjee and his organization
Chhandayan of New York. Chhandayan has been active
with Indian musicians of every genus, innovating
Rajyaree Ghosh. and experimenting with fusion, and tabla orchestra
with vocalists. Chhandayan selects and invites artistes to perform around
the USA.
With their long-standing association with Samir Chatterjee, Samar
and Mala snap up opportunities to invite artistes and host them at
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