Bari Siddiqui

Bari Siddiqui (born 15th November 1954) is a classical flautist, who created his own genre of folk fusion by fusing North Indian Classical Music with Baul music. He lives and works from Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Introduction

Abdul Bari Siddiqui, more familiar as [http://www.barisiddiqui.net Bari Siddiqui] , comes from the Pt. Pannalal Ghosh "gharana" of North Indian Classical Music and a direct disciple of Ustad Aminur Rahman and Pt. V.G. Kannad. Bari Siddiqui is the only musician in the Indian subcontinent who plays North Indian Classical Music in flute as well as sings Baul Songs.

To add to his versatile quality, he composes and directs music, writes lyric and sings as well. Bari Siddiqui started to sing since 2000, with the award winning album of "‘Shrabon Megher Din’". His unique contribution in the music of folk fusion is originated from the sub-continental classical music. With authentic background in music and originality of his voice quality, he created his own genre.

Gurus & Gharana

Pt. Pannalal Ghosh is considered as the 'Giver of Flute' to Indian Classical Music, as he was the first to transform a tiny folk instrument to a novel bamboo flute (32 inches long with 7 holes for fingering) suitable for playing traditional Indian classical music. He regarded the "Harmonium Wizard", Khurshid Ahmad Khan, as his first guru, and was fortunate also to have had the blessings and systematic training from the legendary Ustad Allauddin Khan (the greatest icon of the North Indian Classical Music from Beenkar "gharana" and the successor of the glory of Mian Tan Sen from Moghul Emperor Akbar's court), with whom he studied, beginning in 1947.

On breathing his last on April 20, 1960, Pt. Pannalal Ghosh left behind a large number of disciples and admirers. Amongst his noteworthy students and followers have been Haripad Choudhari, Aminur Rahman, Fakirchandra Samanta, Devendra Murdeshwar, V.G. Karnad, Shreeram Joshi, Rashbihari Desai, Keshav Ginde, Nityanand Haldipur, Tawfique Nawaz, Bari Siddiqui.

Education

Bari Siddiqui, born in Netrokona district of Bangladesh, comes from a family of musicians. His formal vocal training began at the age of 12 under Gopal Dutta of Netrokona. His career takes flight in 1981, when he was taken under the wings of Ustad Aminur Rahman, direct disciple of Pt. Pannalal Ghosh (1911- 1960) and Dabir Khan (Beenkar). Ustad Aminur Rahman spotted Bari Siddiqui during a concert, and offered to tutor him. For the next six years he trained under Ustad Aminur Rahman.

Ustad Aminur Rahman's house was frequented by the contemporary legends like Devendra Muddereshshor, Director All India Radio (also the son-in-law of Pt. Pannalal Ghosh), VG Kannad, Daagar Brothers, Ustad Zia Mohiuddin (Veenakar), Ustad Asad Ali Kha Veenakar, Pandit Sriram Tewari. After Ustad Aminur Rahman, he continued to take special training on Alap from Tawfique Nawaz (second son of Ustad Aminur Rahman).

At one stage, Bari Siddiqui went to Pune and got professional tutelage under Pandit VG Karnad. For many years to come, being in an environment surrounded by musical maestros, he kept his search for his own true self and to achieve newer heights of infinite journey of music.

Awards & Performances

Bari Siddiqiui performed in countries like India, Pakistan, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Burma, USA, England, Switzerland, France and many other European countries. In 1999 at the World Flute Conference in Geneva, where representatives from seventy countries took part, Bari Siddiqui was the only representative from the Indian subcontinent. He received many awards for his performances at Fajar Music Festival award in Iran, World Flute Conference Award in Geneva, International Film Movement Association Award, and Bachshash Award. Bari Siddiqui started to sing since 2000, with the award winning album of "‘Srabon Megher Din’". Success of "‘Srabon Megher Din’" was followed by popular albums like "‘Lokkho Tara’", "‘Lilua Batash’", "‘Dukkho Roilo Mone’", "‘Valobashar Boshotbari’", "‘Aporadhi Hoileo Ami Tor’", etc giving the local music industry a new dimension in terms of authenticity and originality.

Music of Silence

With this passion for around 4 decades, Bari reserves that the difference between the Indian and European music is that the Indian music comes from silence whereas the European music comes from sound. Bari maintains that the Indian way is more melodious with the Miir (the sweet curves and filigree works) and more natural with the typical natural bamboo flute. As of his Gurus, he believes in praying through his tunes and devotes all his creation to eternity.

See also

*Hindustani classical music
*Indian musical instruments
*Bansuri/ Flute

External links

* [http://www.barisiddiqui.net/html/downloads.htm Listen to Bari Siddiqui]
* [http://www.pannalalghosh.info/site/ Pannalal Ghosh.info]