DAYA SHANKAR
In his own words:

Right from my childhood, from the age of 9, I had the wish to have Panditji as my Guruji. I was very fortunate that my wish came true as Guru came to Delhi and my father, Pandit Anant Lal Ji, took me to Guruji's residence at Lodhi Road. Guruji told me to come tomorrow at 11:00am and also carry my Shehnai. Next day I reached Guruji's residence and Guruji asked me which raga would I play. I was very nervous and scared but somehow I managed and played Raga Shuddh Sarang. I don't know whether Guruji liked it or not but luckily for me, he accepted me as his student and my talim begins. I used to get talim with my fellow Gurubhai's. Guruji seeks complete discipline while giving talim and does not compromise with music and keep saying "Abhi Nahi Hua, Dubara Karo" till that notes or phrase comes out perfectly. There's a unique blend of 'Raga' and 'Tala' in Guruji's talim. Guruji perfectly knows what a particular student needs to learn and the range of the instrument of each student.

Few years later, Guruji created a Trio which included me on Shehnai, Shri Vishwa Mohan Bhatt on Hawaiian Guitar and Shri Tarun Battacharaya on Santoor. Guruji fixed our first concert at Kolkatta. This Trio got famous by the name 'Golden Trio' and the credit of all this goes to my Guruji and this is all his Blessing and Aashirwad that we three earned fame later. We gave many successful performances in U.S.A., U.K., France, Germany and Holland.

After few years, Guruji organized an Indo-Japan concert in which both Indian as well as Japanese musicians played together and Guruji did the music direction. During the rehearsals, I noticed various aspects of rehearsals on which Guruji put great emphasis like punctuality of time, appearance on stage, perfection of the programme. I noticed that he didn't ignore even minute things on stage. Later I played with Guruji in his ballet 'Broken Branch'. In this ballet all the disciples came to know about Guruji's dancing ability. One day I, along with other Gurubhai's, reached the hall for rehearsals where Guruji was teaching a dancer some dance steps. I was so amazed at the Bhawa (expression) on Guruji's face.

Guruji is a complete and a greatest musician. He is a combination of all the three forms of music.

Later I got the opportunity as a part of an Indian group to play under Guruji's guidance at the Festival of India in Moscow. In this orchestra, Guruji used everything from Indian Vedas, Scriptures, Mantras, to Russian Orchestra (Kremlin). It was a unique opportunity for me. I was very fortunate to have played in this orchestra under Guruji. Those are unforgettable moments for me. Few years back, on the occasion of Guruji's birthday, I got the opportunity to play Shehnai along with my three sons, Sanjeev Shankar, Anand Shankar and Ashwani Shankar. Guruji liked the performance very much and told us to keep on maintaining this tradition.

Lastly, I must say that whatever I have achieved is because of the Aashirwad (blessing) of Guruji.

JAI GURU DEV

Biography:

Shri Daya Shankar hails from a family of musicians. He is one of the representatives of the artistry and excellence that is the hallmark of Banaras Gharana (Shehnai).

His initial training in music started under his father's guidance, Shehnai Maestro Pt. Anant Lal. Shri Daya Shankar has had the privilege of learning from the legendary Sitar Maestro, Pt. Ravi Shankar. With strict adherence to tradition and mastery over various aspects of music, Shri Daya Shankar has been performing under the auspice of many reputed national and international organizations.

In 1975 he was appointed in Afghanistan by the Government of India as a teacher of performing art in Shehnai. He has given many successful solo recitals (concerts) in Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Mauritius, Iran, U.S.A. and the Festival of India in Russia (1988), Festival of India in Hungry (1994), Festival of India in Thailand (995), also performed in the cultural conference of U.N.O. at New York (1988), and also represented India in international Wind Instrument Festival in France, Germany and Denmark. He also has performed in the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Shri Daya Shankar has taken part many times in the National Programmes and Akashvani Sangeet Sammelan of AIR and doordarshan both. Also, he has performed on the occasion of Indipendence Day and Republic Day in India. Shri Daya Shankar's cassettes and CD's of his solo performances are available in the market in India and abroad.

He has been awarded by Sangeeet natak Academy (U.P.) for his excellence in music (1995). Shri Daya Shankar specializes in the "Bhava" aspect of music. His systematic improvisation follows exquisite "Gamaks", "Tan" patterns and his technical virtuosity and the depth of feeling that he expresses through his music always have marked influence on the listeners of his recitals.