The Genius Of Series
The world of Hindustani Classical Music comprises of Geniuses, both vocalists and instrumentalists. Their music emanates a divine spark. Be it their first recording or a phase of experimentation or perhaps a time when they reached a crescendo in their careers, each of these is a slice of history. And we at Saregama are proud custodians of these immortal moments.

In this series, we have complied some of the finest performances of the legends, thereby showcasing the Genius of these Geniuses!

Pt. Nikhil Banerjee
Of the great Sitar Trinity of the 20th century, Pt. Nikhil Banerjee was considered the most sensitive, elegant and stylish instrumentalist. If Pt. Ravi Shankar was celebrated for grandness, and Ustad Vilayat Khan for technical prowess and lyricism, Pt. Nikhil Banerjee was virtually worshipped for the celestial quality of mystic radiance that he brought to every note of his music. He had achieved an alluring, iridescent and absolutely stunning tonality, that seemed to echo forth from the mysterious spaces of the stars.

Pt. Nikhil Banerjee learnt his music at the feet of the great rishi of Indian music, Acharya Allauddin Khan. As with all of the Maihar maestro’s students, Nikhilda, as he was known to millions of avid music lovers of Bengal, had a distinctive personal quality within the Maihar mould. The languorous alaap of Maihar acquired a mystic quality in his playing. Pt. Nikhil Banerjee could mesmerize and haunt his listeners, his fan following was classy and completely, rabidly attached to his music. He remained a unique cult figure in Bengal, standing amongst a group of titans as one who looked inward and skyward, to conquer the heavens.

CD 1 consists of two full fledged Ragas. The album opens with Raga Sindhura followed by Raga Hem Bihag from Maihar Gharana. Raga Hem Bihag is a recording of a live concert.

CD 2 is a combination of three morning melody Ragas. The album opens with Raga Komal Rishabh Asavari followed by Raga Bhatiyar. This is followed by Hem Lalit, a rare morning raga from the Maihar Gharana.

CD 3 opens with a twilight melody Raga Marwa. The concluding two night melodies are based on Raga Sohoni and Raga Adana respectively.

CD 1
1. Raga – Sindhura (Alap and Gat Sitarkhani)
2. Raga – Hem Bihag [1978] (Gat Vilambit Teentaal)
3. Raga – Hem Bihag [1978] (Gat Madhyalaya And Drut Teentaal and Ektaal)

CD 2
1. Raga – Komal Rishabh Asavari [1966] (Alap, Jod, Jala Gat Teentaal)
2. Raga – Bhatiyar [1969] (Alap, Vilambit and Drut Gat In Teentaal
3. Raga – Hem Lalit [1967] (Gat Taal Dhamar Followed By Baul – A Folk Tune Of Bengal)

CD 3
1. Raga – Marwa Alap, (Jod, Jhala Live in Concert San Francisco)
2. Raga – Sohoni [1972] (Short Alap And Gat Teentaal)
3. Raga – Adana (Gat Teental)