Pandit Ronu Majumdar
Pandit Ranendranath ‘Ronu’ Majumdar is a bansuri master from Benares. His father was a homeopathic doctor, oil painter, and amateur flautist who took lessons from Pandit Pannalal Ghosh, who provided him with a strong early grounding. He then studied with various gurus before embarking on an acclaimed classical career, including work with Pandit Ravi Shankar. He has had a long and fruitful association with film composer RD Burman.
A keen fusioneer, he has performed with a range of figures from the world of music, including Ry Cooder, George Harrison, Jon Hassell, and R.E.M.’s Michael Stipe, and believes that talented classical musicians playing for films “will only enhance the level of music in the world”.
He established the Sadhana School of Indian classical music in Chicago, and continues to tour energetically. He once assembled 5,378 flautists on one stage, and describes himself as “still a young boy running in the ghats of Benaras”.
Pandit Ronu Majumdar performed at Darbar Festival in 2006, enchanting audiences with his soulful flute playing alongside the dynamic Subhankar Banerjee on tabla. He returned to the festival in 2015, this time collaborating with the renowned Sukhwinder Singh, delivering yet another spellbinding performance that showcased his deep command over melody and rhythm. His performances at Darbar have been celebrated for their lyrical beauty and spiritual depth, leaving a lasting impact on listeners.
“I have begun work on an album for children. It will have happy sounds; something they will love to dream about.”
Darbar believes in the power of Indian classical music to stir, thrill, and inspire. Explore our YouTube channel or subscribe to the Darbar Player to watch extended festival performances, talks, and documentaries in pristine HD and UHD quality.
