THE BEGINNING
One of the most promising tabla players of his generation, Unmesh Banerjee hails from a family stepped deep into North Indian Classical Music. His father and guru, Pandit Sunil Banerjee, one of the most prominent tabla players of his generation is one of the senior most disciples of Acharya Pandit Shankar Ghosh. His mother Smt Bharati Nanavati Banerjee is a stunning versatile vocalist and a disciple of Ustad Munawwar Ali Khan of the mighty Patiala Gharana. Unmesh's grandfather Shri Hardeo Nanavati was a genius composer and philanthropist.
The innocence of a one year old child fondling the Tabla, marked the beginning of Unmesh's musical journey. Tabla occurred very naturally to Unmesh so much so that he made his first public performance at the age of 6 accompanying his mother on stage. He received intense taalim from his father Pandit Sunil Banerjee learning the nuances of Farukkhabad baaj. Unmesh was initiated into the world of Carnatic rhythm under the mridangam stalwart Vidwan S.Sekhar. Unmesh was also fortunate to receive guidance from the legend Acharya Pandit Shankar Ghosh. He received taalim in raaga music from his mother Smt Bharati Banerjee Nanavatii. He is also a BTECH in Computer Science Engineering. Unmesh endeavors to infuse interest and respect of the traditional art form in the hearts and minds of younger generation.
JOURNEY
With his crisp hand, sharp brain and a flair for rhythm he has been performing tabla solos and accompanying various artists across India rightfrom the tender age of 6. He has been an artist of All India Radio and recipient of the CCRT Scholarship and an ICCR approved artist. He has been part of a cultural exchange program in Dublin, Ireland representing his alma mater, St.Xavier’s Collegiate School, Kolkata.
Unmesh has performed with veterans like Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, Ustad Rashid Khan, Talat Aziz, Pandit Amiya Ranjan Bandyopadhyay, Pandit Somnath Mardur, Pandit Atul Upadhye, Vidushi Rita Ganguly, Rakesh Chaurasia, Ken Zukerman, Shakir Khan, Purbayan Chatterjee, Sahana Banerjee, Kumar Mardur, Sandip Chatterjee, Tejas Upadhye, Josh Feinberg, Abhishek Mullick, Abhishek Borkar etc. He has been a part of festivals like Sangeet Research Academy, Kalashree Music Circle, NCPA, CCRT unity in diversity meet, Legends of India, Aradhana Sangeet Academy, Lokmanya Samajik, Sanskriti Kendra Yuva Pratibhotsav, Hampi Utsav, Mahindra Kabira Festival, Facebook Promo, Genexx Annual Conference, Dumru Emerging Talents etc.
Unmesh is often featured as a guest artist for Zee-Bangla Saregamapa, a popular reality show. He was also featured as guest artist in the famed guitarist Harri Stojka's popular band The Indian Express and toured Austria with his band. Unmesh was felicitated by Bangiya Sanskriti Samsad, Pune for his contributions in the field of music in Pune.
Unmesh is passionate about sharing the knowledge that he has received from his masters with fellow rhythm enthusiasts. Unmesh has been training tabla students since a young age. He has been training drummers, singers and instrumentalists of various genres from across the globe and introducing them to the magic of Indian rhythm- Carnatic system and the North Indian system. Unmesh was the Head of the department of BEATS, the rhythm department of Ustad Rashid Khan Saheb's academy The Fifth Note Global Center of Excellence.