Aftab Datta
It is truly an honor to be a part of the Sarangi team which has done a superb job in promoting our music. The site (musical museum) has served as a medium which exposes the public to artists of the past and present, and introduces music lovers all over the world to each other, and I am thrilled to be a part of it!
I was born on April 6, 1976 in Lahore, Pakistan. In October 1980, my family and I settled in the United States, and I currently reside in Washington DC with my wife Yulia. I have a BS/MS in Chemistry and an MBA, and work as a contractor for various government agencies. Of course, my real passion is music. I am a student of dhrupad vocals and have studied under Shubha Sankaran in DC for the past few years.
Music has always been a large part of my life, but when I was 14 years old and heard Ravi Kitchlu’s Bihag, everything changed, for the best! Since then, I have been an avid listener and collector of Hindustani classical music and do my best to promote and support artists, and honor masters of the past. I practice singing, daily, and dabble in a few instruments such as the dilruba, pakhawaj, and bansuri. But, I consider myself a vocalist. I am always eager to learn about all aspects of our music and never get tired of it because there is so much material to explore. One life isn’t long enough.
Musically, I am also a listener to Balinese Gamelan, Kora music of W. Africa, ancient music of Greece/Rome/Egypt/Middle East. Other interests are ancient European & Asian history, but next to Hindustani music, comparative/historical linguistics is what takes up the other moments of my day.
I’d like to thank Taimur and the others for starting such a necessary site/service, my family for their support over the years, and my wife for her patience and absolute support for my music passions.
Aftab Datta
Dear Aftab Datta,
Being so young,yet already you have done great service to music.Finally I know what real love of music is – to generously share like you do the many many wonderful renditions. May God bless you and your family and may you keep doing what you do.
Prashanti
Dr Ishwarchandra Ramchandra Karkare is one of the most popular hindustani classical musician [singer] from GWALIOR madhya pradesh, India. his various raags like bhairav, bhairav bahar, lalit, bihag, malkauns, darbari kanhara, basant, suha , bairagi bhairav , bageshri are already available on internet, in wma,wav,mp3 etc formats,plz select one or two best performance like “”Tappa sindhura kaafi”" , “”bhairav”" , “”Bageshri”" , and “” Suha “”. if possible add this artist in vocalist list of ur website.
thanks.
Dear Aftab
I have uploaded Gunkali by Ghulam Abbas Khan & his brother the nephews of great master ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan on esnips on following link. I will upload Puria Dhanasri by them Khush rahe sanam mera and thumri bhairvi very soon.
http://www.esnips.com/web/dahriafsstuff
Thanks
Dear Aftab,
Thanks for uploading so many clips of beautiful music. I have a question about one of them: Raag Aiman by Sadiq Ali Mando & Mumtaz Sabzali. Before this recording I’d never heard of banjo being used to play Hindustani music, though it wouldn’t be surprising if this is not the only instance, given how good Sabzali’s banjo sounds. I’m unable to find any information about Mumtaz Sabzali — do you have any idea when this was recorded, for instance? Do you know of any others who play Hindustani music on the banjo?
Many thanks,
Murali
Hello!
sorry for the lateness of this reply.
email me at aftabdatta@gmail.com and i’ll be happy to share some info on him and more benjo music.
Aftab