WPRB Princeton 103.3 FM

Dr. Bhupen Hazarika (1926 – 2011) was born in the northeastern Indian state of Assam enriched by the majestic river Brahmputra. Hazarika was a widely admired singer, composer and lyricist of Assamese songs which earned him the affectionate titles of Bard of Brahmputra and Sudhakanta. He was academically well trained and introduced to the world the rich heritage of Assam through his songs. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2019.

Vidwan T M Krishna (born 1976) is a top Carnatic vocalist, author and activist. He trained under distinguished gurus such as Vidwans B. Seetharama Sarma, Chengalpet Ranganathan and Sangita Kalanidhi Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer. He was awarded the Raman Magsaysay award in 2016 for speaking out on social justice causes. The Madras Music Academy conferred on him the title of Sangita Kalanidhi for 2024.

Ustad Bismillah Khan (1916 -2006) was a celebrated Hindustani musician and was trained in music at a young age by his father who was a Shehnai player in the royal court of Dumraon. When Bismillah Khan was six years old, he went to Varanasi where he underwent further training under his uncle, Ali Baksh 'Vilayatu'. He is credited with popularizing Shehnai on the Hindustani music stage and was awarded India's highest civilian honor, Bharat Ratna in 2001.

Vidushi D K Pattammal (1919 - 2009) was a member of the female trinity of Carnatic Musicians along with Smt. M S Subbalakshmi and Dr. M L Vasanthakumari. Learning from luminaries such as Kanchipuram Naina Pillai and Ambi Dikshitar, she trained a succession of musicians, had a film playback singing career and stood for music adhering to tradition. Unmatched in her open throated singing and Pallavi rendering, she was considered a living repository of Muthuswamy Dikshitar's compositions. Pattammal was awarded the Sangita Kalanidhi title in 1970.

Sitar Maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar (1920 – 2012) is widely credited with popularizing Indian classical music across the world. Born into a family of artistes such as dancer Uday Shankar, Ravi Shankar learnt Sitar under Ustad Allauddin Khan . He went on to play at Woodstock and collaborated with the likes of Yehudi Menuhin, Beatle George Harrison etc. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1999.

Carnatic violinist M S Gopalakrishnan (1931 – 2013) learnt music from his father Parur Sundaram Iyer. MSG as he was affectionately known, was an accompanist as well as solo player. He imbued music of his silken strings with both Carnatic and Hindustani elements. The Music Academy honored him with the Sangita Kalanidhi title in 1998.

Dr. M. L. Vasanthakumari (1928-1990) affectionately known as MLV, was one of the “Female Trinity” of Carnatic vocalists along with M S Subbalakshmi and D K Pattammal. Just like the other two, MLV had a successful career as a film playback singer as well. She was the disciple of the legend Madurai G N Balasubramaniam and in turn, trained many of the top musicians of today. MLV was the youngest female recipient of the prestigious Sangita Kalanidhi honor in 1977 and was known for bringing extraordinary intellect and brigha techniques to her music.