Jharnadhara celebrating 56th Annual Concert
Jharnadhara, established in 1969, is celebrating its 56th annual concert, “MOSAIC OF MELODIES,” on July 26, 2025, at CD Deshmukh Auditorium. This event honors the legacy of its founders, Late Smt. Krishna Dasgupta and Smt. Chitra Dasgupta, showcasing their dedication to music. Writes Dr. Surjadeep Sengupta
Jharnadhara was established in 1969 by my Aunts(Mashi) Late Smt. Krishna Dasgupta and her elder sister Smt. Chitra Dasgupta. Their early childhood grooming in music happened at home with their teaching them Bhajans and father teaching them Rabindrasangeet and Nationalistic compositions of DL Roy, informally. Subsequently, their formal training began under the tutelage of Smt. Surama Basu, a noted exponent of Rabindrasangeet. Both of them went on to hone their skills at Gandharva Mahavidyalaya under the guidance of Pandit Vinay Chandra Maudgalya, excelling in their Visharad with Distinction. The sisters were fortunate to have learnt Bhajans from the great Pandit DV Paluskar.
My Mashi Krishna Dasgupta then chose to pursue music and went on to become and established artist with All India Radio and senior music teacher at St. Thomas’s School, Mandir Marg. Chitra Mashi continued with music and her proficiency in arts and painting.
During her years at St. Thomas’s School, Krishna Mashi had the privilege of performing before Queen Elizabeth II on her maiden visit to India. Both her and Chitra Mashi were regular performers at Rajghat. Krishna Mashi performed at many events before Babu Rajendra Prasad, Pandit GB Pant, Professor Humayun Kabir and Indira Gandhi. She also shared stage with the likes of Shailaja Nanda Mazumdar, Shanti Deb Ghosh, Kanika Banerjee and Suchitra Mitra.
Though Krishna Mashi’s forte was Rabindrasangeet, she was equally masterly and mellifluous with Classical Music, Bhajan sangeet, Western Choir and Church music. The last two of these she picked up on her own during her tenure at St. Thomas’s School. All these she taught with equal felicity and expertise to all her students. She also led musical programs at Rabindra Sadan in its formative years. All acquainted with Jharnadhara know that Saraswati Pujo, Rabindra Jayanti and Christmas are all celebrated with equal fervour and gaiety – as part of honouring Maa’s teachings.
Following Krishna Mashi’s demise in 2009, her legacy lives on. Today, Jharnadhara celebrates Krishna Dasgupta’s memories and the beautiful journey it has had and which will continue under the tutelage of Chitra Mashi. Jharnadhara’s progress is helmed by Chandrashekhar Bose, Sumana Banerjee and Prabhanjan Roy Chowdhury – three of my Krishna Mashi’s most able students.
Over the years Jharnadhara has performed at numerous Durga Pujo events, Mango Mela organised by the Govt. of West Bengal, Boi Mela, Push Mela, Bengal Association events and CCRT and All India Radio events. They have won many competitions of Rabindrasangeet, Shyama Sangeet, Light Music, Modern music and many other events in both solo and group categories.
Jharnadhara held auditions last year to induct new and fresh voices into the group as a mark of continued progress. Jharnadhara takes pride in collaborating with various artists from the fields of dance, elocution and art.
Every year Jharnadhara organises its annual celebration concert. This year Jharnadhara is celebrating 56 years of advancing good music and spreading joy. The concert is titled ‘MOSAIC OF MELODIES’ and will have two segments – ‘Amar Aaponar Cheye Aapon Je Jon – A Tribute to Kazi Nazrul Islam’ and ‘Amar Shurer Jharnadhara – Dhun Wahi Andaz Naya’. The grand event will be held at CD Deshmukh Auditorium, India International Centre on 26th July 2025, at 6:30 pm. Entry will be through passes only. For further details, please have a look at the official poster. Jharnadhara extends its invitation to one and all with an appeal to support and celebrate the cause of advancing great music and other performing arts.
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