BUDHADITYA MUKHERJEE
Akademi Award: Hindustani Instrumental Music (Sitar)

Born in 1955 in Durg in Chhattisgarh, Shri Budhaditya Mukherjee received his training in the Sitar from his father Shri Bimalendu Mukherjee, an eminent musician of the Imdadkhani gharana. At the same time he qualified as a metallurgist, receiving a gold medal for his performance in B.E. from the Government College of Engineering and Technology, Raipur, in 1977.

Since the start of his career in the 1970s, Shri Budhaditya Mukherjee has been hailed as an artist of outstanding merit. Upholding the tradition of the Imdadkhani gharana of Sitar, he has acquired a lyrical style in his music that reflects the gayaki ang . The depth of his alap and his intricate tankari mark his mastery over his instrument. He has performed extensively in festivals both in India and abroad. He has the distinction of being invited to perform in
Britain’s House of Commons in 1990. He has played frequently over All India Radio and Doordarshan, and has a large number of recordings to his credit.

For his outstanding musicianship, Shri Budhaditya Mukherjee has been conferred high honours by the Government of Madhya Pradesh. These include the Ustad Allauddin Khan Fellowship awarded in 1977 and the Kumar Gandharva Samman bestowed in 1994.

Shri Budhaditya Mukherjee receives the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to Hindustani instrumental music.