Sitar Jugalbandi

Melodic Sitar Couple from the East

Sitar—is one of the most significant and popular chordophones of Central Asia in the tradition of Indian Classical Music.  Sitar maestros, educators, composers and researchers Pandit Abhishek Adhikary and Dr.Murchana Adhikary Barthakur from India have earned eminence and popularity through their meditative, virtuosic and graceful presentation of their Art. Their music embodies the heritage of Indian traditional music. The understanding and the dialogues between the two Sitars create a pleasing and aesthetic effect on the listeners. The Sitar Couple had started their musical journey together in 2009 and since then they have received many awards and titles like Surashri, Surmani, Nirod Baran Award, Pandit Nikhil Banerjee Award to name a few. They had also been recognized as National Scholars from Government of India.

Music has always been an integral part of their lives. Belonging to traditional music families, the Sitar couple is devoted in the development and promotion of Indian and Afghan music not only through performances on stage but also teaching students around the world successfully. They have performed more than 500 concerts in India and have participated in many major festivals, electronic Medias in India and abroad. Having done their Masters and doctoral in Instrumental music from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata and Khairagarh University Chhattisgarh, India;  they have spent five years rebuilding the stones and spirits of art and culture of Afghanistan through teaching music as Sitar and Sarod faculty at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music in Kabul from 2015 to 2019. They have worked as Sitar educators and are in panel of external examiners of both bachelors and masters level in many Institutes and Universities in India- Calcutta School of Music, Welham Girls’ School Dehradun, Ostad Bhagaban Sitari Memorial School, Kolkata, Chaulkhowa Music College in Assam, Dibrugarh University Assam, Rabindra Bharati University Kolkata and presently working at the Afghanistan National Institute of Music in Portugal and have prepared many efficient and successful students.

Abhishek and Murchana, the Sitar couple is presently in Braga, Portugal and is trying to spread the divine beauty of joy and love through their melodic Sitars. The touch of Nature gives them the innate inspiration to make music and spread love and peace.