 |
|
Krishna Kumar
Ganguly, popularly
known as Natu Babu, the fourth son of Sri Surath Nath,
was born in November 1905 and lived in their ancestral
Tallah home in Kolkata.
Music was already in the family as Surath Nath's elder
brother Pandit Manmatha Nath had considerable expertise
in table. Drawn to tabla naturally, young Natu expressed
his keenness to learn the idiom to his father. Though
initially rather reluctant, Surath Nath took Natu
to Chunilal Banerjee, a friend and a reputed tabla
player. For three years Natu Babu trained with Chunilal
Babu.Later he trained under Pandit Durga Sahai, the
founder of the Benaras Gharana for ten years. Natu
Babu blossomed into an accomplished tabla player,
but to satisfy his hunger for knowledge he studied
with Pandit Purushottam Mishra for five years. he
trained in the Lucknow style under Chhotan Khan for
eight years. From Basid Khan and Labban Khan, he mastered
a number of Delhi Gharana compositions.
Pandit Kanthe Maharaj of Benaras came to live in Calcutta
in 1937 and at Chhotan Khan's behest Pandit Kanthe
Maharaj trained Natu Babu till 1969. Thus Natu Babu
imbibed training from the Lucknow & Benaras Gharanas
simultaneously.
Natu Babu excelled in academics. He passed from Matriculation
to M.A. examinations with credits. he secured the
coveted 'Riches Prize' for obtaining First Class First
in the LLB examination. As a drama critic in the forties
he was very popular and eminent drama personalities
of the period admired his views.
Such a highly talented person remained an introvert
and a bachelor. All praise that came his way, he politely
ascribed to his gurus. He avoided all honours which
the music world wished to confer on him. He taught
his students without charging any fees as he
believed that if he taught his students selflessly
then after rebirth he would get a better Guru among
them. He was an advocate by profession and spent all
his earnings for the betterment of his disciples.
Even he performed at concerts without ant
remuneration.
Natu Babu passed away on 3rd July 1993, leaving behind
Sri Gour Pal, Sri Samar Saha, Sri Tarak Saha, Sri
Lakshmi Narayan, Sri Nirmal Ganguly and many other
pupils.
|
|
 |
