ACKNOWLDEGEMENTS

This thesis would not have been possible but for the unstinting assistance, both direct and
indirect, that I have received from a number of persons, as well as the encouragement that was
forthcoming from my well wishers. The importance of this contribution needs to be
acknowledged, at the outset.

Among those who have a rightful claim to credit, even though their contribution belongs to the
distant past, much before this thesis was ever even conceived are my parents who developed my
interest in music and have given me every opportunity to explore the world of music. As I am
submitting my thesis, it is a long journey to reach here, it is time to remember and give thanks to
each and every great personalities who have paved my way to this achievement and success.

My deepest thanks goes to my supervisor Prof. Dr. S. A. K. Durga, who shaped me through the
bulk of my work. I acknowledge her mentorship to have guided me at every stage.

I pay my respect to Prof. Dr. Neera Grover, Head of the Department, Music Department,
S. N.D.T. University Mumbai, for her valuable advice and inputs in providing structure to this
thesis.

I am obliged, grateful and blessed that I studied and practiced Vocal Music under such great
Maestros of Indian Classical Music .I start with, as a student of M.phil, Faculty of Music & Fine
Arts, Delhi University, Vidushi Prof. Dr. Krishna Bist; Padmabhushan Prof. Debu Choudhuri;
Pt. Laxman Krishnarao Pandit; Padmashri Ustad Ghulam Sadiq Khan and Ustad Iqbal Ahmed
Khan. As astudent of M.A, Banasthali Vidyapeeth, Pt. Ramesh Nadkarni ji.
I am also grateful to my first music teachers- Pt. Shivpujan Misra, who is another such person to
whom I owe deep respect, He inculcated sense of music at the very beginning even though I can
only acknowledge now after his passing away. Prof. Dr. Manorama Jha who had taught me that
patience and hard work and regular riyaz is very important in vocal music from that initial
period.
Mrs Shobha Jogarlpuri Adinarayan ,(IIT Bombay), an A grade artist of AIR (Gwalior gharana)
who has been a great sounding board and support to me in the practical and theoretical aspects of
this thesis, without her guidance and support this would have been very difficult.

I am indeed fortunate and indebted to eminent vocalists and artists who extended their helping
hand and led me to this destination- Dr T Unnikrishnan (Dean and HOD Khairagarh University),
Ananth Vaidhyanathan,Voice Culture specialist , Dr Manjiree Gokhale (P.hd Music and Expert
in how yoga helps a vocalist), Pt Nayan Ghosh Ji, Pt Ajay Chakrabotty Ji, Dr Suvarnalata
Rao,(NCPA), Prof Wim van der Meer, University of Amsterdam , Ustad Raja Miyan, Pt.
Ramesh Jule, Pt. Yashwant Mahale, Smt Neela Bhagwat. I am very grateful to them for their
availability and providing me with valuable insights in spite of their extremely busy schedules .

Apart from all these without the support of my family members, this thesis would not have got
completed. I am very much thankful to all my family members for helping me directly and
indirectly.
First of all I must thank my husband Achinta Banerjie, who has always been a pillar of
strength in every aspect, from arranging this thesis to giving me ideas and providing moral
support and backing during every situation in writing this Thesis. I thank my Brother Sandeep
Roy who has always encouraged and supported me throughout my academic career, Brother in
law Ananta Banerjie for his encouragement. My two lovely daughters, Aayushi and Aarohi for
giving their unconditional love and inspiration to complete this thesis.

I express my sincere thanks to S.N.D.T. University library staff and N.C.P.A (National Center
for Performing Arts) library and other staffs for their support and help.

I am deeply obliged to all my friends, who always encouraged me to complete this work and for
giving me moral support.

Last but not the least I will only enjoy the fulfillment of my thesis when it will help increase the
understanding of this subject and will be of some use to music students and music lovers.

I am thanking again all of them who have helped me by their valuable advice and help and
somehow if I have forgotten to mention any name unwittingly please forgive me for my
mistake.

Thanks & Regards

MAUMITA BANERJIE
Yr- 2012