By exhibiting outstanding technical mastery and expanding the expressive range of the santoor (a hammered dulcimer/zither-like instrument with over a hundred strings), Tarun Bhattacharya has become a rapidly rising star in North Indian Classical music. His rounded, percussive sounding melodies ring out with purity and a mastery of the inner workings of many ragas. Bhattacharya's teachers have been among the best -- Ravi Shankar has impressed many listeners with his combination of speed and melodic beauty, much of which he passed on to Bhattacharya. Like his other teacher, Shiv Kumar Sharma, Bhattacharya has pioneered new sounds on the santoor, including an added string which can be bent, allowing for more vocal-like effects to be added to the instrument's repertoire.

Jessy Terry

 
 
 

World Radio