There are good number of websites painstakingly maintained by individuals without any commercial motive.There are no advertisements or no commercial links in these sites. .These people are driven by their passion for music, literature, spirituality , whatever be their chosen area of interest.Here iam talking about the site MUSICAL NIRVANA created by Pt.Ajoy Chakraborty.My first encounter with him happened when he was singing a jugalbandi with Dr.M, Balamuralikrishna.The song was GAAYATI VANAMALI and the lines PUSHPASUGANDHA SUMALAYA SAMEERE...PAAVANA MUNIJANA YAMUNAA TEERE.... still echoes in my mind.This was fusion of carnatic and hindustani music at its best.
For anybody attempting to learn about indian music this will be the best introduction.The site contains an introduction to both the streams,
historical details and development of these styles over the years. This section also contains a dictionary of terms used in music. There is also a compact Urdu dictionary.
The exclusive section on ARTISTS give a brief description of themselves and their work.Each artist has been graded according to his popularity.There is also a music sample each of the artist which you can listen to.THe section on COMPOSERS provides valuable information about the life and work of all renowned composers and Urdu poets.The basics of all important ragas have been given under a separate section.
There is a detailed description of musical instruments under the classification of percussion, wind, string etc.For example if you click tabla then you have information about this instument and the details about all major tabla players and their gharanas.
Under the CDs section there are reviews of various albums released recently.You can also post your review here.The Forum provides a means of discussion amongst classical music lovers .Under the Ghazal section you have details about all important poets and singers. For instance
this is the only site which gives you information about the ghazal singer brothers Ahmed and Mohammed Hussain.They are such talented singers but there is practically no information about them on the internet. Same is the case with chandan Dass who has such a gifted voice but has not been favoured by lady luck .
The Ghazal section is a treat for ghazal lovers. A discussion on Ghazal as a poetic form and the evolution of ghazal through ages and the history of Ghazal are not to be missed.
Pt.Ajoy Chakraborty is doing a great service to indian classical music by creating and maintaining such a wonderful website.Iam sure any music lover will defenitely add this to his favourites.