Shri Bijayananda Nayak
In an age when maestros of the older generation express fear of the decadence of our grand tradition Sri Bhijayananda nayak ji stands like the colossus as it were an eternal reminder of the strength of this great art.
Sri Bijayananda Nayak was born in a family of musician, in Odisha. He was initiated in to music by his father Late Sri Bhagaban nayak (sangeetacharya). Bijayananda ji received training from Late sri Harihara khuntia (sangeetacharaya), Pt. Damodar Hota (Swara-Ranga, Gwalior Gharana), Late Dr. Mohan Charan Senapati (Kirana Gharana), Late Pandit Ram Chatur Mallik (Darbhanga Garana), Pt. Balwant Rao Bhat, (Bhav-Rang, Gwalior Gharana) and Ustad Sharafaraj Hussain Khan (Rampur sahaswan Gharana). He received training of the highest order in three distinct prominent gharanas-darbhanga, Gwalior & kirana. The Catholicity and soundness of this grooming and with a blessed voice and the gifted ability to blend the three gayakees brilliantly, he soon emerged to be one of the most formidable vocalists in Odisha.
Bijayananda ji is the recipient of several awards such as:
His recitals have evoked a tremendous response in all over the country. He has performed at some of most prestigious venues in the country like:
Bijayananda ji working as a Chairman and guru at the Sangeet Bharati, IMC (Indian Music Circle) music school and has mentored several excellent students, amongst whom many are well known performer today. He has written and composed many khayal bandish, bhajan & tarana in several ragas which is often performed by many students in state and national level programmes. These compositions are popular among performers and connoisseur of indian classical music.