Sitar and Surbahar maestro Pandit Ashok Pathak occupies a special place in the North Indian Classical Music. Born and brought up in Kolkatta (Calcutta) as the eldest son of the late legendary Sitar and Surbahar player Pandit Balaram Pathak, he is a part of a musical heritage that dates back to the legendary dhrupadist, Gopal Nayak of the 12th century.
Ashok Pathak expressed a rare talent for music from early childhood. From age of five onwards he started his musical training and followed intensive study in the 'Guru-Sisya Parampara'* tradition under the excellent guidance of his renowned father Pt. Balaram Pathak.
* - A highly valued traditional 'master-disciple' learning-system that has remained almost unchanged from the 12th century until today. -
Besides a gifted Sitar player, Ashok Pathak is also a master on the Surbahar. This double base sitar includes three extra strings for the lower octaves and is used in the Dhrupad style. Ashok Pathak has been awarded several honors, such as the 'Surmani' or 'Gem of Melody' and the golden award with the Academic Pandit title of the prestigious Prayag Sangeet Samiti given by Maha Devi Verma the great poet of India. In 1991 he received the 'International Man of the Year' award from Cambridge in recognition for his services to music.
Although being an exponent of classical music and the focal point and torchbearer of the Pathak Gharana, Ashok Pathak comes to amazing new interpretation of the music. Such as the careful and well deliberated use of cords, jingling tarabs and flagellating sounds.
In his performance he presents traditional compositions of his father/grandfather like 'Gat kari' and 'Bandish' and creates his own compositions like the raga Gyankali and 'Kushum Kedara'. Pandit Ashok Pathak finishes his recitals with 'thumri, Dadra and 'dhuns' in folk style. In a Surbahar recital Ashok Pathak plays together with a Pakhawaj player, a style that is rarely found, but highly appreciated by the audience.
Pandit Ashok Pathak regularly performs at different venues in Europe and India. He participated in World-Music concerts and festivals such as 'Mundial Festival' in Tilburg/Holland and 'Sfinks' festival in Boechout/Belgium.
Apart from performing pure Indian classical music he has worked in numerous different musical combinations like Jazz and Baroc music, which have been highly appreciated. People still remember his brilliant sitar playing in the symphony orchestra 'Artesia' by the Belgian composer Dirk Brossé.
He was invited as solo artist in theatres like Theatre de la Ville in Paris, Tropentheater in Amsterdam and Vredenburg Theater in Utrecht where he played on the occasion of the 25th silver jubilee of the Dutch radio station 'VPRO'. He performed for the Royal family and political leaders of Belgium and performed, in a benefit concert for the Tsunami victims, in the Cathedral Sint Michelle in Belgium. He also collaborates with Tunisian, Flamenco and Turkish music and is open to any kind of world music. This combination of versatility with traditional roots makes him truly unique as an artist.
Pathak Gharana
Ashok Pathak's grandfather Pandit Ramgovind Pathak, was a master of sitar and surbahar, honoured as the court musician of Murshidabad (West Bengal). Pandit Ramgovind Pathak's brother, Pandit Rameshwar Pathak, was an extraordinary sitar player honoured as the court musician of Darbhanga (North Bihar). His music influenced many musicians. (In fact Pt. Ravi Shankar has acknowledged Pandit Rameshwar Pathak as one of his own strong influences).
The late Pt. Balram Pathak, was acknowledged as one of the greatest sitar players of his time. He utilized the finer aspects and subtleties of the dhrupad and khayal gayaki vocal style in his own expressive playing on sitar. This was no doubt aided by his expertise and knowledge as an excellent vocalist. At a very young age he became the court musician for Maharaja Kamla Ranjan Roy of Cossimbazar, Murshidabad, West Bengal. Till date the Pathak family has strong ties with the Royal family of Murshidabad.
The unique feature of the Pathak style; the 'alaap', 'meends', 'murkis', 'gamaks', 'zamzamas' and 'ulta-zhala' all create an atmosphere which is introspective and moving. The gharana's superb style of playing, especially the expression of the alaap in the dhrupad-dhamar method, gradually shapes the raga into a fantasy of sculptured sound thus conveys the audience to an inspiring, ethereal world.
This exceptional musical tradition of the Pathak family continues into the modern era. Today, the tradition of this invaluable 'gharana' is being ably carried on by Late Pandit Balaram Pathak's son, Pandit Ashok Pathak.