How to Find and Learn | Music within You | Debapriya Adhikary
Debapriya Adhikary is a distinguished Hindustani classical vocalist renowned for his mastery of khayal, tappa, and thumri, representing the Benaras Gharana tradition. Recognized as one of the foremost torchbearers of the Benarasi tappa style, he has dedicated his career to preserving and reinterpreting the delicate artistry of this genre. He received rigorous training under Pandit Samaresh Chowdhury and the legendary Girija Devi, two of the most revered exponents of the Benaras Gharana. And I am also learning Dhrupad from Pandit Uday Bhawalkar ji. Over the years, Debapriya has earned numerous honors for his excellence in Indian classical music. He was awarded the National Scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and the ITC Sangeet Research Academy Promising Artiste Award. His dedication to deep musical study was recognized with the Jnana Pravaha Scholarship in Varanasi. As a young artist, he also won first prize in the All India Radio National Classical Vocal Competition. Debapriya’s international presence is equally impressive. Along with sitarist Samanwaya Sarkar, as part of the acclaimed duo DevaSaman, he has performed at prestigious festivals and venues around the world, including WOMAD (UK), Elbphilharmonie (Germany), the Sharq Taronalari Festival (Uzbekistan), and the Sitar Festival in St. Petersburg, Russia. His tours have taken him across Europe, the United States, Australia, and Asia, where he has represented the depth and diversity of Indian classical music on the global stage. In addition to his performances, Debapriya co-directed and performed in the National Award-winning documentary “Girija: A Lifetime in Music”, a tribute to his guru Girija Devi. The film received the National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film in 2018, further establishing his role not only as a performer but also as a documenter of India’s classical heritage.
How to Find and Learn | Music within You (Podcast-9) | Debapriya Adhikary
