Anupama Bhagwat
Anupama Bhagwat’s sitar style exemplifies the best elements of the Imdadkhani gharana – structured alap (rhythmless introduction) playing, rapid taans (melodic elaborations), and a detailed mastery of gayaki ang (singing style). Her varied approach reflects the eclecticism of her guru Pandit Bimalendu Mukherjee (father of Budhaditya), a sitarist who also played sarod, veena, surbahar, pakhawaj, sursingar, mandra bahar, dilruba, esraj, and tar shehnai.
She won All India Radio’s sitar competition in 1994, and has participated in fusion projects such as Global Rhythms and Shanti. Now based in Bangalore, she continues to refine her style while touring to acclaim.
Anupama Bhagwat first performed at the Darbar Festival in 2013, accompanied by tabla maestro Gurdain Rayatt, mesmerizing audiences with her lyrical and technically sophisticated approach to the sitar. A decade later, she made a triumphant return to the festival, this time sharing the stage with the brilliant Ojas Adhiya. Her performances were met with widespread admiration, with listeners deeply moved by her ability to weave intricate melodic tapestries that balanced tradition with innovation.
“So exhilarating has been the beauty of my journey in the realms of music, that the destination is no longer important”
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