Kolkata : Renowned flute virtuoso Pandit Ronu Majumdar was conferred with the Padma Shri, the third-highest civilian award in India, by the Honourable President Draupadi Murmu on Monday April 28 at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi at a Civil Investiture Ceremony. Pandit Ronu Majumdar dedicated the award to whole of India, his parents and Gurus.
"I am deeply
emotional and happy to receive this prestigious award, Padma Shri, at this
pivotal moment. I dedicate this Padma Shri to all of India, to all those in our
country who practice music and those who aspire to do so. My parents, my
mother, whose eyes were filled with tears when she heard of this honour. I wish
to dedicate this to my mother’s feet. I also dedicate this award to my Gurus:
Bharat Ratna Ravi ShankarJi, my Guru Pandit Vijay Raghav Rao, and my first Guru
and father, Bhanu MajumdarJi,” Ronu
Majumdar said after receiving the award.
He further added, “I sincerely thank Shri
Narendra Modiji, the Honourable Prime Minister of India, and Shri Amitbhai
Shah, the Honourable Home Minister, for recognizing my contributions to this
field that I have dedicated myself to for the past 50 years. I did not celebrate
the moment with a fanfare in the backdrop of the incident in Pahalgam as it has
deeply saddened all of us.
He further expressed,
"This award has given me the strength to continue working harder. It feels
like a tonic for my soul to push further in my musical pursuits."
The recognition follows
a monumental achievement where he led a symphony and featured 546 musicians
that achieved a Guinness World Record for the largest Hindustani Classical Band
ever assembled, performing a single composition.
Pandit Ronu Majumdar is
a celebrated musician known for his mastery of the bansuri and his dedication
to preserving and innovating within the traditions of Indian classical music.
Over the years, he has earned numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions
to music. His compositions, performances, and collaborations continue to
inspire generations of music lovers worldwide.
Pandit Ronu Majumdar’s
journey in Indian classical music has been shaped by his esteemed mentors,
including his father, Dr. Bhanu Majumdar, and legendary maestros like Pt.
Laxman Prasad Jaipurwale and Pt. Vijay Raghav Rao. A disciple of the Maihar
Gharana, he has established himself as one of the foremost flute virtuosos in
India. His innovative work spans traditional and modern music, earning him a
prominent place in both Indian and global musical spheres.
Among his many
accolades, Pandit Majumdar has received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi
Award, the Aditya Vikram Birla Award, and the Life-Time Achievement Award from
Sahara India. His extensive body of work includes successful albums such as A
Traveller’s Tale, Koi Akela Kahan, Fasinoma, Ethereal Rhythms and the
soundtrack for the Hollywood film Primary Colours, as well as collaborations
with global artists like George Harrison and Ry Cooder.
0 Comments