Rendezvous with RK Bikramjit (Flutist & Composer)

Bidyarani Thingujam *

RK Bikramjit (Flutist & Composer)

With a flute in hand, RK Bikramjit, has come a long way till date. The small town boy has gone outside the state to chase his dreams like others. We, the Team E-pao caught up with him in a telephonic conversation and talked about life, his journey, passion and other future endeavours.

RK Bikramjit was born to RK Rotonsana and RK Yaimabi at Yaishkul Chingakham Leirak on February 1, 1965. He has four brothers and four sisters.

Here are the excerpts:

E-pao.net: Oja, How did your musical journey begin ?
RK Bikramjit: I had a passionate love of football but after a tragedy occurred in 1974, I had to leave the sport. I had to undergo medical treatment for multiple fractures which I endured after falling off a tree.

The incident prompted my father to give me a flute to overcome the trauma and to be able to maintain my mind. This is the beginning of my musical journey. After the recovery, at the age of 12, I became the approved artiste of All India Radio Imphal.

E-pao.net: Oja, who inspired you and under which guidance did your journey began?
RK Bikramjit: I was inspired and guided by my two older siblings RK Ranjit and RK Somorjit. Later, I learnt flute under the guidance of Pandit Arvinda Gajendra Gadhar at Pune.

E-pao.net: Education ?
RK Bikramjit: I have done B.Sc in Geology from DM College of Arts. In 1989 I moved to Pune and completed my Masters in Archaeology from Deccan College, Pune University. Soon I pursued Phd but was not able to complete it as I dive passionately to pursue my musical career. Since then, music has become my life.

RK Bikramjit (Flutist & Composer)

E-pao.net: Awards & Accolades ?
RK Bikramjit: In 2007 my album Himalayan Whisper was listed for the Grammy in World Contemporary Music category. Not only this, another album "Dancing Flute" was nominated for the GIMA award. Apart from Himalayan Whisper and Dancing Flute some of my released albums include Healing Raga, Night Raga, Himalaya, just to name a few.

E-pao.net: Present projects ?
RK Bikramjit: I founded an academy called, Bikram Flute Academy at Goregaon, Pune. At present the school has around 30 students includinf foreign students from Japan, USA, German, and Spain.


I also founded a fusion band called "Naadbrahma". Our team has performed at over 1700 shows around the world. I have collaborated with many renowned artistes from USA, Germany, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia.

Right now, I am composing music for a Bollywood film "Siva Tantra". This pandemic has put everything on hold but I do hope that this will end soon. Speaking about my future projects, I have a tie up with a Taiwan company for an upcoming album. Let's hope for the best.

E-pao.net: Message to the masses?
RK Bikramjit: I do hope that my music will encourage people to find out more about the Northeast region of India. Youths must pursue their love of music but education is also more important. Whenever I came across any Manipuri or happen to know one at Pune, I always tried to support them in any way possible.

E-pao.net: Thank You Oja for giving us your valuable time.

RK Bikramjit Singh is a strong, passionate and determined artiste. He is presently staying at Pune, Maharashtra with his wife Sonali Nayak and two children.

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