The Musicality of Tagore

Exploring the Connections between Tagore’s Musical Thoughts and the Great Masters of European Art Music 

 A Musical Workshop Presented by: Upamanyu Kar 

Rabindranath Tagore needs no introduction. An Indian Nobel Laureate, he was one of the most prominent contributors in the field of Literature, Art, and Music. His contributions are still prevalent, and his songs still are the most powerful expressions of feelings. In this Partially-Fundraising Musical Workshop, Tagore’s Musical Thoughts are profoundly explored along with the similarities in visions by the Great Composers from Europe. Also, as a gesture of gratitude, a significant amount earned from the Workshop will be donated to Anudip Foundation for Social Welfare for the Project ‘Emergency Relief’ towards Covid-19 Support Relief in India. 

Date(s) & Time(s): 

Session 1: May 22 (Saturday)

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (IST) | 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (EDT) | 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM (UTC) 

Rabindranath Tagore and His Music: Analysis or Walkthrough of Tagore’s Songs according to different ‘moods’ or settings (‘Parjayay’) 

• Session 2: May 23 (Sunday)

7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (IST) | 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM (EDT) | 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM (UTC) 

Further Analysis of Selected Tagore’s Songs: Words, Melody and Rhythm - with reference to ‘Word-Painting’ 

• Session 3: May 23 (Sunday)

8:30 PM - 9:30 PM (IST) | 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM (EDT) | 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (UTC) 

References of Tonal Composers with Similar Idioms: Haydn, Schubert and Wagner 

Conclusion: Scope of Further Analysis and Exploration of Tagore’s Musical Thoughts 

About the Presenter: 

Upamanyu Kar is a composer, arranger, orchestrator, music educator and an author of musical books. Hailing from Kolkata (India), Upamanyu’s compositions and orchestrations has been widely recognized by the global audience. Upamanyu has been commissioned to orchestrate Tagore’s Songs by Four Orchestras worldwide, such as the Pioneer Symphony Orchestra (Michigan, US), the Indo-European Youth Orchestra (Budapest, Hungary), the Kolkata Youth Orchestra and the Calcutta Chamber Orchestra. A Masters’ Degree Holder in Western Classical Music from Rabindra Bharati University in India, at present Upamanyu Instructs and Leads the Academic Section of Arrangement & Composition at Music School LIVE. Upamanyu has two notable research-based musical albums in his name: ‘Numerous Strings’ and ‘Naborupe Rabindranath’, both of which have been widely appreciated among musicians and the global audience. He has also authored two books on Western Music, including a Songbook named ‘Tagore On Keys: Songs written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore arranged for the Piano’. Upamanyu is also the Founder and Creative Director of a String Quartet named 'Tagore and the West'.