‘Satyagrah’ by Purbayan Chatterjee is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi & his pursuit of truth

Mumbai, 16^th August 2024: Sitarist Purbayan Chatterjee has released, yesterday, his first track called Satyagrah from his captivating upcoming album called “Sitar Stories”. The album showcases the sitar, one of Indian music’s most iconic instruments and beautifully captures its versatility and its harmonious fusion of diverse cultural and musical traditions.

The track Satyagrah is a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and his pursuit of truth. This track features a drum and bass framework with Raga Jansam Mohini. It highlights the interplay between acoustic and electric sitars. Purbayan Chatterjee, along with Yogesh Samsi on tabla, Shravan Samsi on drums, and Steve Kottoor on keyboard, created this piece, with Aditya Srinivasan working on recording, mixing, and mastering.

Watch the song here:

Speaking about Satyagraha Purbayan says, “Satyagrah is a celebration of the truth. It is also a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, who instilled the value of the truth with this movement. Music is a constant quest for the truth, which is in our hearts. It is a process of self realisation, and if the artist is true to themselves, then they can communicate directly from their heart to the listener. This song takes the Raga Jansam Mohini and put it in a drum and bass framework. There is a great deal of interplay between the two sitar Sounds, the acoustic and the electric. In this song which is releasing as the first single in my album, “Sitar stories”, I have highlighted how the two sitars, the resident acoustic Sitar and the AG electric Sitar have this into play with each other and bring out the truth and beauty that lies in music, which is straight from the heart”.

About the Artist

Purbayan Chatterjee, a top sitarist from the Senia Maihar Gharana founded by Baba Allauddin Khan, has studied under illustrious gurus such as his father Pt. Parthapratim Chatterjee, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Pt. Ajay Chakraborty, and Pt. Anindo Chatterjee. He is inspired by the legendary Pt. Nikhil Banerjee and combines traditional richness with contemporary sensitivity. Recipient of prestigious awards like the Indian President Awards and Aditya Vikram Birla Award, Chatterjee has also conceptualised the groundbreaking project Shastriya Syndicate, the first Indian Classical Band with a contemporary touch. He regularly collaborates with artists like Shankar Mahadevan, Ustad Zakir Hussain, and jazz legend Pat Metheny.