Early Life
Pandit Ritwik sanyal was born in the independent India in Katihar on 12th April 1953. During his early childhood grew up between India and Africa and was homeschooled by both his parents. His father professor Batuk Sanyal (professor of Indian Institute of Technology Bombay), philosopher and mathematician, ignited his love for philosophy. His mother Ranu Sanyal was a singer and writer who nurtured his musical inclination.
In 1963, in Chembur, Mumbai, he met his Guru, Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar while walking in the neighborhood with his mother. The tones of Rudra Vīṇā ( रुद्र वीणा ) beckoned them to meet the musician that was playing. That very day, at the age of 10, he started his musical journey under the guidance of one of the greatest Dhrupad exponents of recent times .
Over 12 years, he dedicated himself to the profound musical wisdom of Dhrupad. He studied in the Guru-Śiṣya Paramparā (गुरुशिष्य परम्परा) and cultivated his vocal techniques.
When his Guru’s younger brother, the profoundly talented Dhrupad vocalist, Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar came to Mumbai from his birth place in Udaipur, Ritwik Sanyal interacted with him, exploring new dimensions in vocal expression. His first recording was at age 15, in 1968. At 22, he began public performances. He was the first Dhrupad artist outside of the Dagar family to perform internationally. He performed with his Guru, Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar in Austria in 1979. Together, they pioneered Dhrupad performances on many new platforms.
The Sanyal family was captivated by Dhrupad - they gave their active support on many occasions. Ranu Sanyal wrote the first press article in Bengali on Dagars and on the brothers Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar and Ustad Zia Fariduddin Dagar.
He completed his post graduation in Philosophy at Mumbai University in 1975. His Guru sent him to Varanasi to complete his Masters in Music at Banaras Hindu University. He pursued his PhD research in musicology under the supervision of the luminary Professor Prem Lata Sharma. It was the beginning of inculcating knowledge and experiences from rigorous practice into the theory of Music or Saṅgīta Śāstra (संगीत शास्त्र).
"Dhrupad got a new Direction and Dimension because of him...
Dhrupad never deviated because of him..
Dhrupad became a path of life because of him....
Dhrupad became an inner Devotion of life seeking absolute Naada because of him...
Dhrupad became truly Dhrupad because of him...
Jaya Dhrupad...
Vande Naadatanum"...
Pandit Ritwik Sanyal