A jugalbandi of two legends

With the Bengal Classical Music Festival 2015 set to begin November 27, Star Arts & Entertainment introduces its readers to artistes who will be performing at the biggest Classical Music Festival in the world. On the second day, two revered musicians from two spectrums of Indian Classical Music (Hindustani and Carnatic) will be gracing the Dhaka stage for the first time, in a jugalbandi. Here's an introduction to them:

Dr. Balamurali Krishna
Dr. Balamurali Krishna is regarded as one of the top exponents of Carnatic (South Indian Classical) Music. He is one of southern India's most influential vocalists and composers.

Known for the clarity of his three-octave vocals, he has consistently displayed a mastery of classical musical traditions of India and has composed more than 400 pieces. In addition to performing at more than 18,000 concerts throughout the world, Balamurali Krishna has released more than 250 cassettes in his native country.

Also he is an accomplished instrumentalist – known for playing violin, viola, khanjira, veena and mridangam – in addition to being an exceptional vocalist.

Dr. Krishna was the first principal of the Government Music College, Vijayawada, and the first producer in All India Radio, known for pioneering the broadcast 'Bhakthi Ranjani'.

He has been known to sing in various languages including Tamil, Oriya, Marathi, Telugu, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Hindi and French.

He has bagged many prestigious awards, including Padma Vibhushan and Padma Shri.

Pandit Ronu Majumdar
If the flute is likened to a temple, Pt. Ronu Majumdar would be its foremost worshipper. Ronu Majumdar is a force to reckon with in the realm of Indian classical music both as a thinking musician and scintillating performer.

Ranendranath Majumdar, popularly known as Ronu Majumdar, is an ace Indian flautist. Majumdar is firmly rooted in the Maihar Gharana. He has received accolades for his memorable performances worldwide.

He composed music for India's first Imax film “Mystic India” and has led a concert of 5,378 flautists on one stage called 'Venu Naad' under the banner of 'Art of Living'. The event was recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records. Majumdar has received an All India Radio Award, Aditya Vikram Birla Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award from Sahara India, and most notably a Grammy Nomination, for his work with Banjo virtuoso Bela Fleck in the album “Tabula Rasa”. He has performed and composed for the Hollywood movie “Primary Colours” and collaborated with top artistes like George Harrison, Ry Cooder, Philip Glass, Lary Coryell and Pt. Ravi Shankar.