I am trying to make classical music relatable for Gen Z: Purbayan Chatterjee

At a recent performance in Kolkata, sitar virtuoso Purbayan Chatterjee noticed something that stayed with him long after the final note, the audience looked different. Younger, more curious, and increasingly present in a space once dominated by older listeners, they are, he believes, quietly reshaping how classical music is experienced. Speaking after the concert, Chatterjee reflects on this generational shift, his long-standing collaboration with flautist Rakesh Chaurasia, and why, even as the audience evolves, the foundation of his music remains unchanged.

'I want Gen Z to find themselves in classical music’
For Purbayan Chatterjee, the shift in his audience is both visible and meaningful. “When I was younger, I used to see a much older audience,” he says. “Now, as I’ve grown older, I see a much younger crowd coming in.” The change, he notes, is not just demographic but cultural, younger listeners are arriving with openness rather than intimidation, willing to engage with classical music on their own terms. That, he believes, places a responsibility on the artist. “I’m trying to give Gen Z a sense of relatability with classical music,” he says. During the concert, he performed and sang the thumri Chanchal Nari, an intentional choice. “I wanted them to connect with it, to see something of their own emotions and state of mind in it.” The aim is not to dilute the form, but to create points of entry, moments where younger audiences can recognise themselves within it.

“There was a lot of warmth, as there always is in Kolkata. I’ve been fortunate to receive a lot of love.”- Purbayan Chatterjee


'The bridge may change, but the foundation is always ragas’
Music, for Purbayan Chatterjee, is less about display and more about exchange. “Whether it is Rakesh Bhai or a five-time Grammy winner from Snarky Puppy, what I bring is dialogue , music that listens as much as it speaks,” he says, describing an approach rooted in responsiveness and the ability to build in the moment. Even as his collaborations grow increasingly global, he is clear about the anchor: “We are able to have effective musical conversations with people from other genres — that is the bridge we build. But it is always based on ragas. That never changes.” That sense of dialogue comes most naturally with long-time collaborator Rakesh Chaurasia. “We’ve known each other for nearly three decades now. That brings a certain comfort,” he says, adding, “Neither of us takes ourselves too seriously.” A forthcoming iteration of his Sitar Magic project brings together collaborators including Grammy-winning guitarist Mark Lettieri of Snarky Puppy, Yogesh Samsi, Stephen Devassy and Varijashree Venugopal. “A significant part of the repertoire will be from Feathered Creatures, but the idea is also to bring together music from across my work,” he says, framing it as part of a larger, evolving musical conversation.


‘I don’t train as a vocalist anymore, but I’m open to it’
Another striking moment in the concert was Chatterjee singing on stage , a rare addition to his performance. He credits his early training. “I must acknowledge Pandit Ajay Chakraborty, who taught me vocal music and continues to guide me.” While he does not actively pursue singing today, he remains open to it. “If there is an opportunity where I feel capable, I would love to sing,” he says.


‘Farhan picked it up faster than I expected’
Away from the stage, Chatterjee has also been working with actor Farhan Akhtar, who is preparing to play a sitarist in an upcoming film linked to Pandit Ravi Shankar. “He didn’t initially tell me it was connected to Ravi Shankarji,” Chatterjee recalls. “He just said he had a role as a sitar player.” What followed surprised him. “Because he already plays the guitar, he picked things up very quickly. In our first session, he was already getting ‘sa re ga ma’.” Akhtar, he adds, has remained deeply engaged. “He keeps calling and messaging about tuning, finger placement, he’s very involved.”