ESRAJ, the name came after the name of the guru “
ISWARI RAJ PRASAD” as per colloquial stories. Iswari raj
came from Punjab to Banaras to learn classical music. At
that time his students gave him the instrument as a gift
developed from Dilruba or TAUS or Mayuri Veena. From
Iswari Raj instrument become Israj and after that ESRAJ.
Another story is also there, in early days, Sarangi was
the only bowing instrument for accompanying with
songs as well as playing classical music. For earning
money , sarangi players accompanied with ‘BAIJIs’ and
for that they don’t had social respect like other musi-
cians. General people don’t want to learn music from
them. On the other hand Sarangi do not have Frets. So it
was very tough to learn and play. Keeping in mind some
people developed an instrument. They took the upper
part of sitar and lower part of sarangi. After few days ,
from that instrument ESRAJ was developed. Rabindranath took Asesh Chandra to Shantiniketan
to teach Dhrupad music, Tappa as well as ESRAJ. Ra-
bindranath also found ESRAJ as the best instrument for
accompanying with his songs.
At that time Pandit RAMSARAN from Bishnupur, West
Bengal , went to Banaras to learn music. He found that
ESRAJ can be easier and most effective to use with Dhru-
pad music sang at Bishnupur gharana. He learned and
took it to Bishnupur. Iswari raj took this to Punjab as he
was from there. That is why, you only find the instrument
in Punjab and West Bengal only. At shantiniketan artist follow RANADHIR ROY’s system of
playing.
After Ramsaran his disciples of Bishnupur gharana start-
ed playing ESRAJ. Among them the best performers are
Shri. Ramprasanna Banerjee, Shri.Surendranath Banerjee,
Gopeswar Banerjee and Surendranth’s nephew Asesh
Chandra banerjee. In the Memory Of Pandit Professor Ranadhir Roy
There was a deep connection between Rabindranath-
Tagore’s family and this Banerjee family of Bishnupur. Ranadhir Roy’s student and artist Prof. Buddhadev Das
(Amongst all the students of Pt. Randhir Roy, Prof. Bud-
dhadev Das is the only artist in the world teaching ESRAJ
following Ranadhir’s style) played ESRAJ with his stu-
dents. Performers were of Age group of 10 yrs, 25yrs-35
yrs and professionals.
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| APRIL 2018
Pandit Professor Ranadhir Roy was disciple of Asesh
Chandra since his Early days. Asesh Chandra was not
completely satisfied with the sound and shape of this
instrument So, Ranadhir with his Guru’s words developed
the Instrument as well as its playing techniques like using
two fingers for fast TAAN play etc.
Prof Roy also known through his nick name TUKU DA at
Santiniketan.
It is very sad that Prof Roy died so early at his age of
forty six.
On the occasion of 75th Birthday of Pt. RANADHIR ROY,
his wife Prof. Alpana Roy organised one cultural evening
in association with Saptak (A Musical Troup).