Siliconeer :: A General Interest Magazine for South Asians in U.S.

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CULTURE:
Rhythm Sorcerers: Banerjee Brothers

New York-based percussionist brothers Rakesh and Chandan Banerjee add incredible richness to a musical recital, writes Partha Banerjee.

(Above): Percussionist Rakesh (r) and Chandan Banerjee.

If you’re looking for superior percussionists for your next Manna Dey, Runa Laila or Bappi Lahiri concert, look no further: The Banerjee Brothers are available. Call them in Queens, New York.

You might be puzzled when you meet them for the first time. In this day of self-promotion and shameless arrogance of the less-skilled, how can one be so unassuming and humble? But then you hear them play away on the tabla, dholak, pakhwaj, mandira and octopad — and you know you’ve come to the right place. Rakesh and Chandan are two rhythm sorcerers. They talk to their drums with their fingers.

Now in their thirties, the Banerjee brothers came from Kolkata in the 1990s. Both were quite well-known in music circles in the cultural capital of India; both played on Doordarshan and All India Radio’s youth programs as pre-selected artists. Rakesh, the older brother, was a rising star in particular with his diverse talents on various percussion instruments. In 1988, the government of Tripura, in its annual music conference, recognized Rakesh as the best tabla player.

Younger Chandan would always play along with dada: after some fifteen years of living in the U.S., the picture hasn’t changed much. Rakesh and Chandan are inseparable on and off the performance podium.

As an ardent admirer and performer of Indian music – particularly North Indian classical and folk music – I’ve been to numerous recitals in and around New York and New Jersey where I’ve had the opportunity to hear the duo play. I’ve been amazed to see the high level of skill, harmony and cohesion they bring in to the recital; they add incredible richness even to the most average performances. What amazed me more is that they never attempt to surpass the lead singer, sitarist or dancer.

Rakesh and Chandan Banerjee have performed across the U.S., Canada, and beyond. Over the past decade, Rakesh has played with Ghulam Ali, Bhupen Hazarika, Sabina Yasmin and many other famous vocalists, instrumentalists and dancers. Just this August, Rakesh and Chandan both accompanied music legend Manna Dey at the India Day Parade in New York.

Presently, the Banerjee duo has established a band called New York Harmony to involve second-generation youth of South Asian origin in the musical traditions of the subcontinent.

How’s the new effort turning out for the youngsters? “They love it,” Rakesh said in his usual soft and humble manner. Younger Chandan nodded in agreement to dada’s comments.

Let’s hear the rhythm sorcerers play.

Dr. Partha Banerjee is a New York City-based writer, human rights and peace activist. He can be reached at banerjee2000@hotmail.com.

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COVER STORY
Subversive Subprimes:
The Political Economy of the Financial Crisis
Dodgy housing loans and murky financial instruments have created an unholy financial mess, writes Ashok Bardhan.

HUMAN RIGHTS
A Sindhi’s Ordeal: The Incarceration of Safdar Sarki
Sindhi nationalist Safdar Sarki recently spoke about his 20-month ordeal in Pakistan, writes Ali Hasan Cementdaur.

NUCLEAR POLICY
False Premise: Indo-U.S. Nuclear Deal
The U.S.-India nuclear accord is testament to the failure of the Indian Department of Atomic Energy, writes M.V. Ramana.

ENTERTAINMENT
IIFA Awards 2008
A Siliconeer Exclusive Photo Essay

OTHER STORIES
EDITORIAL: Financial Meltdown
NEWS DIARY: August
SUBCONTINENT: Legal to Love?
ART: Urban Impressions
SOCIAL WORK: Helping Bangladesh
COMMUNITY: India I-Day Celebrations
PHILANTHROPY: Eastern Elegance
TRAVEL: Sequoia National Park
CULTURE: Rathyatra in SF
AUTO REVIEW: 2008 Lexus RX 400h
RECIPE: Hawaiian Crispy Fritters
FILM REVIEW: Streets of Karachi
CULTURE: Rhythm Sorcerers
TAMIL CINEMA: Kuselan
BOLLYWOOD: Guftugu
COMMUNITY: News in Briefs
BUSINESS: News Briefs
INFOTECH INDIA: Round-up
HOROSCOPE: September