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Classical Guitar Reach Foundation -
'Nurturing India'

Fostering a sense of community with the magical essence of the western classical guitar

In association with the Calcutta School of Music

Art Guitar Fest Kolkata 2024

27-29 december 2024 | kolkata

PERFORMANCES BY
Marco Ramelli & Enrica Savigni (Italy)
Samrat Majumder (UK/India)
Ser o Duo (Chile)
Srijit Mukherjee (India)
Santanu Datta (India)

VENUE
The Calcutta School of Music

Workshops, lectures and masterclasses

 

many thanks to our partners
Art Guitar Fest Kolkata 2024 would not be possible without the support and generous patronage of the Late Shri Bhupendra Nath Bose.
More information

What we do

Classical Guitar Reach Foundation – ‘ Nurturing India ‘ is a Section 8 not-for-profit company ( N.G.O.) registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India bearing registration number : U85420WB2023NPL265146.

We teach classical guitar, conduct workshops, masterclasses, festivals, lectures and provide scholarship based mentorship. We are currently in the process of becoming a non-profit guitar school in South Kolkata.

We have held 3 Art Guitar Fests, a music education festival surrounding the students & future aspirants pursuing the classical guitar.

Two of them were held in Kolkata, India & one was held in New Delhi, India.

We have held many student recitals & classical guitar concert series held in joint collaboration with the Calcutta School of Music.

Our Values

CGRF believes in education as a right, not a privilege.

The Foundation does not tolerate discrimination of any form. No political or religious discussions are permitted in any groups pertaining to the Foundation.

We are making classical guitar education accessible and affordable.

We are helping those who are in need by providing scholarships and by reducing financial constraints if any.

Our open transparent policy ensures high trust, as we willingly share our bank statements to all our patrons & donors.

Our Former CGRF Mentees

We refer to all our course participants as Mentees. Studying music is a lifelong journey and we believe that each Mentee contributes to the joy of learning & discovery, sharing their ideas and fostering a sense of community.

Our Mentees are a diverse group, ranging from the ages of 14 to 40 years old from early intermediate players to music educators who have been teaching for decades.

These are our talented Mentees from 2023 – 2024.

They have all successfully completed our mentorship project for the last season.

New mentorship projects are set to start again in mid 2026.

Bhavya Duarah
Himaghna Roy
Shristi Thapa
Siddhartha Dasgupta
Arya Routh
Abhishek Choudhary
Adarsh Baraily

Our Story

One of the major drawbacks of music education in India is the financial element of receiving qualitative tuition. Economically, students who are fortunate enough to own a classical guitar and possess an intermediate to advanced level generally cannot afford to travel to the leading institutions across the world to further their education and career. This is where CGRFI would like to help & contribute.

Samrat Majumder and Srijit Mukherjee founded the Classical Guitar Reach Foundation of India (CGRFI) as a non-profit organization to help bridge this educational gap for the benefit of these students who wish to begin or develop a career in music by taking their musicality to the international concert stage.

In the autumn of 2021, Samrat met Srijit almost by accident at a classical guitar festival in Stuttgart, Germany. After speaking about the classical guitar scene in India, Srijit described the great enthusiasm and hunger that young generations have for a relatively foreign instrument to otherwise traditional Indian culture. However, due to the lack of resources and limited music education (such as the need for an affordable instructor, a musical community to share ideas and accessibility to musical material) these avid learners are unable to fully immerse themselves in the rich world of the classical guitar in the same way other cultures are actively pursuing it.

The Team

Srijit Mukherjee

Mentor, Director & Co-Founder

Santanu Datta

Trustee, Representative, Educator

Rajarshi Mukherjee

Trustee, Manager, Music History Teacher

Ankit Pahuja

Trustee, Representative, Financial Advisor.

Thank you note to the former CGRF Team Members

CGRF wishes to acknowledge the strength and determination of the former CGRF Team members who have not only inspired the community but acted as powerful catalysts in bringing changes that were absolutely necessary and for contributing so much to the classical guitar movement in India. We cannot thank you enough!

Thank you Samrat Majumder for your life-changing mentorship, guidance & awe-inspiring performances.

Thank you Madhavan Somanathan for your superb contribution to the Art Guitar Fest New Delhi – the world needs more people like you! Your jaw-dropping performances during Art Guitar Fest Kolkata were truly unforgettable.

Thank you Veda Agarwal – for your knowledge, strength & wisdom! Your incredible graphic & design skills, along with your wisdom on event management were an indispensable aid for our projects. You have been an absolute savior! Thank you for all the love & support!

We wish you all the best!

Samrat Majumder

Co-founder & Former Mentor

Madhavan Somanathan

Former mentor

Veda Aggarwal

Former advisor, technical expert

Future Projects

CGRF aims to build a network all over the world with donors, patrons and supporting foundations who would like to promote the classical guitar as well as music education in India.

We appreciate any donations in-order to supply strings, instruments, books, sheet music, nail kits and other relevant music materials to support our Mentees.

Teaching in person as well as live workshops and masterclasses shall take place whenever and wherever possible in India.

We look forward to inviting guest lecturers every term and guest Mentors such as music professors from leading universities and performing artists to help mentor our talented Members.

How to apply

Any classical guitarist residing permanently in India can apply for our courses.

Please send us a 10 minute video, performing classical guitar pieces of Grade 8 standard (ABRSM or Trinity) or higher. You can either upload this video to YouTube (unlisted) or on Google Drive or any other video uploading/link sharing platform.

Write a brief description about yourself, your musical experiences and how you plan to benefit from being a CGRF mentee.

After we receive your application, you may be invited to a video interview. Following the interview, and other verifications, we will announce the result. If you’ve been selected for a mentorship with us, we will send you a contract with our rules & regulations.

For more information please have a look at our F.A.Q. section on musical skillset requirement and technological requirements

Please note – Beginners can benefit from our courses which are separately taught. This mentorship project is exclusively for advanced students who are seeking foreign mentors. ( Grade 8 and higher )

Application form

FAQs

PROCEDURE
Instructors shall set appointments and lessons with the Member through text, email, or through any means agreed upon by the parties setting the scheduled date and time (and venue if any).

Instructors shall initiate the call on a scheduled meeting application (Zoom or Skype) through online or phone communication where the information shall be provided to Member.

CONFIDENTIALITY
The information exchanged whether written or oral shall be bound within the principles of confidentiality set forth in the Model Code of Ethics for Educators (MCEE). The Instructor agrees not to disclose any information pertaining to the Member without the Member’s consent. 

Confidential Information shall consist of private communication between the parties given by the Member to Instructors with trust and in confidence. Should, for any reason, Instructors be summoned by any competent and official authority to disclose information that is confidential, the Instructors shall notify the Member prior to the summoning in order for the Member to seek remedies available in accordance with the MCEE. If Instructors believe that the information acquired involves illegal activity or information that may be of risk to the Member, the Instructors shall be obligated to report such activity to the proper authorities.

CANCELLATION & RESCHEDULING
It is the Member’s responsibility to notify the Coach at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled meeting.

TECHNOLOGICAL REQUIREMENTS
• A stable internet speed of at least 10Mbps appropriate for Skype/Zoom lessons
• A functional webcam (inbuilt or external)
• A microphone (preferably USB)
• Headphones (preferably with extended wiring)  

INSTRUMENTAL REQUIREMENTS
• A playable Classical Guitar (nylon stringed) – properly tuned with no intonation issues
• Foot rest or guitar support
• Music notation stand
• Access to music notation (sheet or tablet) 

TERMINATION WARNING
The contract will be terminated if the Member fails to attend lessons and classes (without notice) after two warnings.

Termination of contract will also occur if the Member violates any of the Foundation Regulations.

Lack of preparation or progress may result in contract termination under review by the CGRFI Instructor, CGRFI Associate Instructor and Moderator and the CGRFI Member.

We are willing to show all the bank statements to anyone who shows us a valid id. We have a no cash policy so all our transactions are traceable and we want to ensure that every contribution matters.

We will make classical guitar affordable and accessible with the kind of teachers who have the right mindset, have benefited through the foundation and share the same spirit of helping others. All of these teachers have undergone intense training from our mentors who have been trained in Europe. The quality of education will be very high, focusing on technique, musicality, sight reading, ear training providing a holistic form of music education that is currently being followed internationally.

Yes, we are in the process of becoming a music school with a teaching studio. Currently, we are teaching students online and in person. Beginners are welcome.

Yes, we’re a section not-for-profit 8 company, NGO, and we do accept donations. Every donor & patron will be occasionally sent emails with details & bank statements to keep our operations transparent assuring high trust.
Yes. We do teach in person. Please contact us for further details.
Yes. We’re providing our services for Indian Nationals who are currently residing in India.
Yes, we had to undergo this change in order to comply with legal & bureaucratic reasons as per Government of India rules and regulations.
Yes, we will renew this service in 2026 with a foreign mentor.

Yes we are a registered, Section 8 not-for-profit company ( N.G.O.) registered with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India bearing registration number : U85420WB2023NPL265146.

We are also registered on NGO Darpon & operate a bank account with HDFC Bank with our official name ” Classical Guitar Reach Foundation “, with our current account number ending with the last four digits – 3849.

Get in touch


PHOTO CREDITS
Photos of Art Guitar Fest Calcutta 2022 by Anupam Mazumder
Photos of Srijit Mukherjee & Samrat Majumder by Kai Myller. With thanks to the Koblenz International Guitar Society.
Header Image: Cal Taxi-3 (CC BY-NC 2.0) by Travelotto
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Bhavya Duarah

Bhavya is from Guwahati, Assam. She has been learning guitar since 1st standard and has already cleared the classical guitar Grade 8 performance exam under ABRSM. Recently, Bhavya has also started playing the electric guitar but classical guitar remains her first priority. In the state of Assam, the classical guitar is not so prominent among musicians of the new generation. Bhavya’s dream is to create awareness in her state about the importance of western classical music as the pillar of any form of guitar playing. Her vision is to establish a formal platform and forum for the newer generation of guitar players from Assam.

Himaghna Roy

Himaghna Roy started learning the classical guitar when he was just 6 years old. His education had formally begun under the tutelage of Mr. Rajib Ranjit at the Calcutta school of Music. He has received exclusive mentorship with Mr. Srijit Mukherjee since 2023 as a Mentee. He has won the 1st Prize, 3 consecutive times at the Crescendo Inter School Music competition along with additional prizes. Currently a student of 8th standard, Himaghna’s passion & commitment towards the instrument along with his family’s consistent support have enabled to position himself as one of the leading early-young classical guitar players from India.

Shristi Thapa

Shristi’s classical guitar journey started 7 years ago under the able guidance of Sir Shyamal K.De at the Calcutta School Of Music. She has performed in various concerts over the years and attended workshops held by the Calcutta Classical Guitar Society. Shristi placed Second in the Youth Category in the 11th Calcutta International Classical Guitar Competition held in 2020. Over the years she has been inspired to take up music as part of her higher education. As a CGRFI mentee, Shristi aims to improve and develop her skillset as a musician and become competent enough to reach the international concert stage.

Siddartha Dasgupta

Siddartha began playing the classical guitar in 2014 after having learnt a variety of styles and genres of music (including Indian classical music) on the acoustic guitar for several years. Siddartha has attained Grade 8 ABRSM for classical guitar with distinction and is working towards more performance related projects. Although Indian classical is one of his favourite areas, his aim is to gain a deeper understanding of Western Classical music. As a professional, Siddartha teaches guitar to juniors and he also composes and arranges his own music.

Arya Routh

Arya has been playing the classical guitar for just over 3 years. He has already gathered experience of performing on stage by playing in school concerts and in various cultural events in his hometown. After attending the Art Guitar Fest Calcutta in December of 2022, Arya was inspired to apply for CGRFI and continue his musical education from the mentors he met at the festival. By continuing his music education with CGRFI, Arya hopes to develop his skills as a music student and performer.

Abhishek Choudhary

Abhishek is from Kolkata and has been learning the classical guitar for over 2 years. He teaches music privately and is a regular performer at various cultural events in his home city. Abhishek seeks to widen his knowledge and understanding of music as a mentee of the CGRFI programme.

Adarsh Baraily

Adarsh is from Kalimpong. Darjeeling.He has been learning classical guitar for many years and teaches and performs privately. Through CGRFI, Adarsh aims to improve his playing and develop his musicianship.

Theophilus Benjamin

Theophilus Benjamin is one of the leading classical guitarists of India and has been in the field of music education for close to two decades in the country. Theophilus has performed at various concert halls in India such as the Amaltas Hall and Stein Auditorium at the India Habitat Center, New Delhi, the Instituto Cervantes in New Delhi and the Satyajit Ray auditorium at ICCR Kolkata. In 2019 and 2020 Theophilus was invited as a guest artist to be a part of the Guitar Festival at the prestigious KM Conservatory of Music founded by Maestro A. R. Rahman along with guitarists from Thailand and the USA where he performed and conducted masterclasses. His most recent performance was a Spanish music concert with the singers from the Neemrana Music Foundation for the Instituto Cervantes New Delhi on the 8th of December’21.

Theophilus was a part of the music faculties at the Good Shepherd International School (Ooty ), Performers’ Collective School of Music, ( Gurgaon ) and The Delhi School of Music. At The Calcutta Center for Communication and Creativity and he undertook educational outreach programmes of the Calcutta Classical Guitar Society (aimed at bringing music to children from villages and the underprivileged sections of the society).

Theophilus has a rich ongoing experience of teaching at some of the leading academic schools in the country.

Shraddha Sanghvi

Shraddha is a music educator & classical guitar teacher who has worked with the Calcutta School of Music for over a decade. At the age of 11, she started to play the classical guitar, receiving instructions from her teacher, Mr Shyamal De. She completed her ATCL Diploma in 2018. Having performed at various school events, Shraddha has given solo performances at the Calcutta School of Music. She has had the opportunity to be a part of Trios and Quartets with her co-teachers and students. Her most memorable experience was recording a Guitar Duet (Inventions by J.S. Bach ) as part of the Centenary Celebrations of The Calcutta School of Music.

Ritupaban Kotoky

Ritu is a guitarist with an eclectic taste in music, who is currently pursuing his PhD in musicology from Rabindra Bharati University. Originally from Jorhat, Assam ( the north eastern part of India) Ritu has been living, studying and teaching guitar in Kolkata for the last 10 years. As a classical guitarist, Ritu has been appointed as a teacher for the first batch of the classical guitar department at the Rabindra Bharati University. Having received the highest marks for his M.A. degree in musicology from his University, Ritu hopes to inspire and encourage those who wants to take up the classical guitar professionally.

Shymal Kumar De

Shyamal Kumar De started his career as a professional guitarist in 1978. In 1990 he became an enthusiastic, highly motivated and popular teacher with an excellent ability to teach children at all levels. In 1999 he joined Calcutta Centre for Communication and Creativity (C4) and The Calcutta School of Music (estd.1915). Now he teaches a number of music schools with high professional standard. Many of his students acquired graded musical qualification for performance in classical guitar offered by Trinity College London and The Associated Board of the Royal School of Music, London. Some of his students are proud winners of classical guitar competitions organized by the Embassy of Spain in India and International Classical Guitar Competition organized by Calcutta Classical Guitar Society and Indian Guitar Federation.