Dr Reeta Das

Qualification

• Hold double Master's degrees in Sociology from Patna University and in Music from Indira Kala Music University, Khairagarh
• M Phil and Doctorate in music from Delhi University. Topic of her doctoral research is 'Origin of Sarod and its styles of playing’
• HRD Scholarship, Government of India

Especialization

• Forte in sensitive portrayal of Ragas, brilliant Taans and symphonic style of Jhaala on Sarod
• Specialization in playing poet Vidyapati's compositions on Sarod and folk tunes of Mithila, West Bengal and Rajasthan
• An ICCR artiste
• Recipient of HRD scholarship
• 'A' Grade artiste of Delhi Akashvani.
• First woman Sarod exponent of Bihar,
• Currently head of music department, Patliputra University

Memoir

Born into a family of artistes and academicians from Mithila region of Bihar. Dr Reeta Das was initiated into music at an early age by her father, Prof C L Das, a disciple of Padma Vibhushan Acharya Allauddin Khan of Maihar. She also received guidance from Sarod maestros, Ustad Bahadur Khan, Ustad Aashish Khan, Pt Sunil Mukherjee and from Pt Bimalendu Mukherjee, former vice chancellor, Indira Kala Music University, Khairagarh.

With her sheer passion for Sarod playing and dedication, she not only turned out to be the first woman Sarod exponent of Bihar, but rose to become an artiste of international repute, enthralling music lovers in Kathmandu (Nepal) and at all the leading music conferences in country.

Her father, Prof C L Das was a renowned Sarod exponent. Besides, he made major contributions as a music critic, pioneering the tradition of music criticism in journals of Bihar in the 1950s, wrote many books and was a talker in AIR, Patna in three languages, English, Hindi, and Maithili. While her father was head of the English department at Commerce College, Patna, mother, Savitri Devi is a Maithili singer and a Maithili drama.

Contribution, Creation and Performance

• Duets with maximum Hindustani and Carnatic music instruments.
• Fusion music compositions, 'Power of Joy', 'Peace through Music', and 'Swar Vistaar
• Composed background music for many short films
• Lead role in Maithili feature film 'Ena Kattek Din'
• Lead role in Maithili drama, 'Ena Kattek Din' at Vidyapati Festival, Chetna Samiti in Patna
• Duet with Carnatic Violin, Vidya Ganapathy Festival, Shimoga, Karnataka.
• Spandan,SPIC MACAY, on Golden Jubilee of India's Independence.
• Sangeet Samaroh, Pracheen Kala Kendra, Manali Sangeet Samaroh, Gwalior.
• Pt Kishan Maharaj Smriti Samaroh, Banaras.
• IK Music University Conference, Khairagarh, Chhattisgarh. National Youth Festival, Guwahati, Assam.
• Saptak & Sangit Sankalp Samaroh, Ahmedabad. Sound of Souls, World Music Academy, New Delhi.
• Women in Classcis by Vaanishri, New Delhi.
• Indo-Nepal Music Conference, Kathmandu.
• Dumraon Gharana Dhrupad Tradition, Delhi.
• SAM Covid Sangit Samaroh, Delhi.
• Baba Allauddin Khan Music Foundation, Delhi.
• Nad-Vistar, Pt Siyaram Tiwari Smriti Samaroh.
• Pt Vidur Mallick Dhrupad Sangit Gurukul, Delhi.
• Swar, Laya Chhand Samaroh, Delhi.
• Debut performance at the All India Instrumental Music Conference in Patna in 1992 in which she shared stage with many maestros.
• An ICCR artiste, Government of India
• Nearly 30-year long experiences as a performing artiste.
• Background music for short films made by IGNOU.
• Shared television screen with Dr Kapila Vatsyayan in Delhi
• Doordarshan's 'One Hour Live Show'. Featured in many Delhi and
• Patna Doordarshan programmes including 'Subah Savere' as first woman Sarod player of Bihar.
• A trained classical vocalist, a disciple of Dhrupad maestro, Pt Ramchatur Mallick Authored the book, 'Rich Traditions of Maihar in Sarod playing' and many other articles.
• Coordinator: Tarang, the Inter-University Cultural Fest, Bihar
• Member: Moderation Board for music, Intermediate Council, Bihar.
• Seminars and Lectures National Seminars: Ayodhya, BHU, Ujjain, Chandigarh,
• Allahabad International Seminars: BHU, Delhi, Allahabad
• Special Lecture: 'Ram Ke Geeton Mei Sangeet' at Ayodhya
• Association with Akashvani and Doordarshan Interviews & features on AIR, Patna and on Delhi and Patna Doordarshan.
• ​As a Guru, Examiner and Judge, been grooming students of Bihar at Patliputra University. Imparting training under Guru-Shishya tradition to young talents from West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh. Examiner: LNMU University, Darbhanga (Bihar), Prayag Sangit Samiti, Allahabad, TMB University, Bhagalpur, Bihar and Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh.
• Jury Member: State Youth festival, Culture Department, Bihar, All India Music Competition, Bihar. Pratibha Utsav, Patiala by Sangeet Natak Akademy, Delhi. Swar Sadhna Samiti Music Conference, Mumbai. Bihar Mahotsav, Bihar Government in Goa. Ustad Bahadur Khan Memorial Music Conference, Kolkata. Baudh Mahotsava, Vaishali Mahotsav and Kesaria Mahotsava, Bihar.

Awards and Honours

• Naad Shree Award, Naad Aura, Delhi
• Sangeet Kala Ratna Samman, Swami Haridas Sangeet Sammelan, Vrindawan
• Sangeet Ratna Award, Society for Action Through Music (SAM),
• Delhi First Woman Sarod Exponent of Bihar, International Hindi
• Samiti, USA (Bihar-Jhakhand branch)
• Bharat Jyoti Award, Delhi
• Women Achiever's Award, Nav Astitva Foundation
• First Woman Sarod Exponent of Bihar, Sanskar Bharti, Patna