Abhijit Pohankar's 'Urban Raga' set to mesmerize India

Mumbai, May 16 (UNI) A new age musician Abhijit Pohankar's album 'Urban Raga' was launched here by Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh.

Speaking at the launch of the Saregama album yesterday, Mr Deshmukh said, ''I congratulate Abhijit on his splendid job in classical music. We need such companies to come forward and encourage young artists. I am a music lover and that brings me amongst you all.'' Atul Churamani, Vice President of Saregama Music Business said ''Exploring untreated ways and carving a niche for himself with a unique compilation, Abhijit Pohankar has taken Indian music to international platform. His unique style of new age Indian music is a great contribution to our music industry.'' Abhijit said, ''As a kid I used to learn ghazals and Sureshji was my guru. He will be happy for me today.'' 'Urban Raga' explores the alchemy between traditional Indian music and contemporary sound textures with strains of strings and winds rhythmic grooves and the use of harmonies and chords of the guitar. The highlight of the album is the old ghazal by Begum Akhtar 'Ae mohabbat tere anjam pe' resung by Pt Pohankar and musically arranged by Abhijit.

Abhijit has been learning Indian classical instrumental music from Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma. He has done international concerts like North Sea Jazz festival and played at prestigious venues like Philharmonic hall-Liverpool, Wong Theatre-Cambridge and Baxter hall-Capetown. He was recently nominated by Society magazines for 'Young Achiever award.' His songs are a regular feature of major international World and New age music genre compilation albums like Tandava, World Beat and Earth.

UNI