Nilanjana De
Nilanjana began her musical training with her father, Shri Sanjoy Kumar Mitra, at the age of 4. Her formal training in Indian classical vocal music started under the tutelage of Ustad Masqoor Ali Khan and Mubarak Ali Khan of ITC Sangeet Research Academy, Kolkata. Thereafter she came under the tutelage of Late Guru Gopal Shrestha, an exponent of Benaras Gharana. Later, she became a disciple of Ustad Jainul Abedin, a renowned performer in Agra Gharana and is continuing with regular talim from him. Nilanjana also undertook regular talim in light classical music from late Vidushi Purnima Chowdhury, who was an exponent of light classical music.
Nilanjana was awarded ‘Sangeet Prabhakar’ degree with ‘First Division’ by Prayag Sangeet Samity, Allahabad. She is a regular performing artist at All India Radio, Kolkata, and she has been awarded the “Certificate of Merit” by State Music Academy, Govt. of West Bengal. She is a skilled performer in Khayal, thumri, dadra, kajri, hori, chaiti and bhajan, and was a prolific performer in her home town of Kolkata.
Now residing in the UK, Nilanjana has performed in Macclesfield, Manchester, Ashton, Birmingham and Liverpool. She has also received a Certificate of Excellence from the Indian Association, Manchester for her performance and won acclaim from many.
Nilanjana graduated with Accountancy Honours from Calcutta University and completed a professional qualification in Cost Accountancy from ICWAI (Kolkata).