Nikhil Banerjee

The Profile

Nikhil Banerjee (1931–1986) was an Indian sitar maestro and disciple of Ustad Allauddin Khan, associated with the Maihar gharana.

Known for long, meditative alap, detailed raga exposition and a contemplative, devotional approach to sitar performance; regarded as one of the leading sitar players of his generation.

An ecstatic, poetic appraisal of a live sitar performance. The review highlights a long, monsoon-like alap and Banerjee's distinctive flowing technique. It emphasizes spiritual intensity and the devotional interplay with Anindo Chatterjee's tablas. The critic frames the music as transcendent rather than merely technical.