Ashutosh Bhattacharya

Ashutosh Bhattacharya Biography

Ashutosh Bhattacharya was a noted classical musician of Hindustani classical music from Varanasi. He was an expert in tabla also. He was an Ayurvedic doctor by profession. In 1966, he was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship the highest honour conferred by Sangeet Natak Akademi, for his contributions to Indian classical music. He learnt tabla from Kanthe Maharaj. His nick name is Ashu Babu and often referred to as, Pandit Kaviraj Ashutosh Bhattacharya. His son, Debabrata Bhattacharya is also an accomplished tabla player.

Bhattacharya was born in Varanasi, then known as Benaras in British India on March 17, 1917. Both his father and grandfather practiced Ayurvedic physicians. He too completed Ayurveda and took it as profession. He owned a clinic at Varanasi and taught many students as well. Yet he showed musical inclination at a younger age and started learning at the age of 8. He was inclined towards drums that time. He learnt pakhawaj from Pandit Ram Nath Mishra. Once he happened to see the performance of great tabla artist, Pandit Kanthe Maharaj. Eventually he switched to learning tabla from Pandit Kanthe Maharaj of Benares gharana, uncle of Kishan Maharaj.

He started performing at the age of 21 in the year 1937. He accompanied sarod maestro Allauddin Khan at the music concert in Allahabad. It was a great occasion to start a wonderful career. After that he accompanied many great vocalists of 20^th century including Pt. Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Ustad Vilayat Khan. He maintained equilibrium between his professional career as well as passion. He carried Ayurveda and music side by side. He was learning at Ayurvedic clinic, maintaining his tabla practice, giving lessons on Sundays and performing concerts and radio recitals as well. After completing his studies in Ayurveda, he returned back to his hometown and set up a clinic. He did medical practice and continued his tabla performances as well. He died on February 9, 2004 in Varanasi aged 86.

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Updated: January 07, 2014