Debu Chaudhuri, Indian classical musician, sitar player
Indian classical musician, sitar player

Debu Chaudhuri

Born 30 May 1935 · verify — Died 1 May 2021

Composed eight new ragas and authored six books on Indian classical music.

Pandit Devabrata (Debu) Chaudhuri was an Indian sitarist and teacher. He was conferred the Padmabhushan and Padma Shri awards. He was the writer of six books, composer of eight new ragas and numerous musical compositions. From 1963 he has appeared in numerous radio broadcasts, and he was a disciple of Mushtaq Ali Khan.

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A detail that
surprised us

“

Debu Chaudhuri uniquely played the 17-fret sitar, while most contemporaries used 19 or more frets, preserving a rare traditional technique taught by his guru Mushtaq Ali Khan.

The Story

1
In 1942, seven-year-old Debu Chaudhuri secretly listened outside a sitar class in Calcutta, igniting a passion that defied his father's opposition and led to his first sitar purchase.
2
🎶 At age 18 in 1953, he made his debut broadcast on All India Radio Calcutta, marking the start of a public musical presence that spanned decades.
3In 1963, he began frequent radio performances and became a key proponent of the Senia gharana style, learning the 17-fret sitar under Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan.
4📚 Between 1971 and 1988, he served as Reader and later Dean at Delhi University’s Faculty of Music, influencing formal music education in India.

🏅 Awards & Honours

1992
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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At 13, Debu was barred by his father from playing music publicly until passing his matriculation exams, illustrating the familial resistance he overcame in 1948.

🖼️

Through the Years

4 photographs from the archives
His son Prateek Chaudhuri
His son Prateek Chaudhuri
As a child prodigy, he started playing the sitar from four years of age. His first broadcast was at the age of eighteen at the All India Radio in 1953.
Debu Chaudhari (sitting), Prateek Chaudhuri (left) and Ustad Rafiuddin Sabri in Chandigarh.
Pandit Debu Chaudhuri performing at the 36th All India Bhaskar Rao Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan.

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Mymensingh
Devabrata Chaudhuri was born in Mymensingh, then part of Bengal Presidency, British India (now Bangladesh).
1935
🌟
Other
Early musical inspiration
At age 7, he began attending sitar lessons secretly in Calcutta, fostering his early interest despite parental opposition.
1942
⚡
Career
First All India Radio broadcast
At age 18, he performed for the first time on All India Radio Calcutta, marking his public musical debut.
1953
⚡
Career
Began regular radio performances
Started numerous radio broadcasts establishing his presence in Indian classical music.
1963
⚡
Career
Joined Delhi University faculty
Appointed Reader at Faculty of Music, later became Dean and Head between 1985 and 1988.
1971
🌟
Other
Founded UMAK Center
Established the Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan Center for culture in memory of his guru.
2010
🕊️
Death
Death due to COVID-19
Passed away in Delhi from COVID-19 complications and a heart attack; his son died days later from the virus.
2021
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

He authored six books on Indian music, including 'Sitar and Its Techniques' and 'Music of India,' contributing scholarly texts to the art form.

02 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Debu Chaudhuri recorded 24 distinct CDs representing each hour of the day, a rare conceptual musical project reflecting the time theory in Indian classical music.

03 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

He founded the UMAK Center in 2010, a cultural institution named for his guru Mushtaq Ali Khan, emphasizing guru-shishya parampara in modern contexts.

No quote recorded for Debu Chaudhuri yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Raag Swanadeshwari | Debu Chaudhuri (Sitar) | 5 Jan 1988 | Ganpatipule
988·YouTube
More from this archive
Raag Swanadeshwari | Debu Chaudhuri (Sitar) | 5 Jan 1988 | Ganpatipule
01
988
Raag Swanadeshwari | Debu Chaudhuri (Sitar) | 5 Jan 1988 | Ganpatipule
YouTube
Raag Rageshri | Pt Debu Chaudhuri | Sitar | 2nd April 1985 | Mumbai, India
02
1985
Raag Rageshri | Pt Debu Chaudhuri | Sitar | 2nd April 1985 | Mumbai, India
YouTube
Composition in Raag Yaman | Debu Chaudhuri (Sitar) | 5 Jan 1988 | Ganpatipule
03
1988
Composition in Raag Yaman | Debu Chaudhuri (Sitar) | 5 Jan 1988 | Ganpatipule
YouTube
Shakhsiyat with Pt. Debu Chaudhuri
04
2013
Shakhsiyat with Pt. Debu Chaudhuri
YouTube
Pandit Debu Chaudhuri Explains the Legacy of the Senia Gharana | Sitar Maestro
05
Pandit Debu Chaudhuri Explains the Legacy of the Senia Gharana | Sitar Maestro
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Debu Chaudhuri’s dedication to the Senia gharana and his role as Dean at Delhi University helped institutionalize Indian classical music education. His creation of new ragas expanded the contemporary repertoire, while the UMAK Center sustains his guru’s musical legacy. His insistence on the 17-fret sitar preserved a distinctive style that might otherwise have faded.

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