Roohani Sisters
Roohani Sisters Sufi Jugalbandi comprises two equally trained and talented singers Dr. Jagriti Luthra Prasanna and Dr. Neeta Pandey Negi, who perform Sufiyana Qalams, Qawwali, Kaafi and Ghazals in traditional style along with their own improvisations and variations, merging it with the Jugalbandi style of Indian Classical Music.
Dr. Jagriti Luthra Prasanna – Born on 1st Sep. 1982 hailing from a general family, Jagriti has always been eager to learn classical music since her childhood. She is known for the unique blend of fluency, melody in her recital and one can see the use of her Gayaki Ang in her presentation. She is doing a Ph.D. in Sufiana kalam on Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan from Faculty of Music & Fine Arts, University of Delhi & stood first in Delhi University & Topper of Daulat Ram College. She also has been awarded at Delhi University classical competitions. She also completed 6th year from Pracheen Kala Kendra, Chandigarh; Prabhakar from Prayag Sangeet Samiti Allahabad. Since 1992, she is learning classical music from Smt Ketaki Banerjee of famous Kirana Gharana. Since 2002, under the sacred bond of “Guru Shishya Parampara” & under the guidance & blessings of her guru Sh. Ritesh Mishra of Banaras Gharana ( S/o Padma Bhushan Shri Pandit Rajan Sajan Mishra) is learning Hindustani classical music. Being daughter n law from the family of a great flute maestro pt. Rajendra Prasanna is also learning classical music under his guidance. She is also at ease with the light classical forms such as Sufiana Kalam, Bhajan, Chaiti, etc. She has given performances of classical & Sufiyana Kalams at Prasar Bharti & Doordarshan. The creativity & the contribution to the art has won her wide recognition from the various quarters, including honors & Performances. Concert at Varanasi presented by “Different Strokes” Kolkata; Classical performance at Navodit Kalakar Samiti, New Delhi, Awarded for Best Classical Singer for the play “Kalidasa’s Abhigyan Shakuntlam” Presented by National School of Drama Delhi. Awarded as Best Classical Vocalist by Pioneer Hobby Centre managed By Yashika Education Society and presented by PUNJAB KESARI.
Dr. Neeta Pandey Negi – Born on 11th December 1985, Neeta Pandey has been learning Indian Classical Music since she was 5 years of age. Inspired by her Grandfather Shri Shiv Charan Pandey, she started her formal training in Indian Classical Music and gave her first public performance when she was 9 years of age. Since then she has totally devoted herself to MUSIC. Lt. Shri Vipin Mudgaliya ( Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, Delhi ) was her first guru who taught her the basics of classical music. She has also learned from Smt. Ketaki Banerjee (Kirana Gharana) & Smt Indu Mudgal, Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. And currently she is learning classical music from her guruji pt. Ritesh Mishra( son of Padma Bhushan pt. Rajan Sajan Mishra). Apart from this she is also a Post Graduate in Indian Classical Music and M.Phil from Faculty of Music and Fine Arts, University of Delhi. She was the topper of her college Miranda House, DU. She has also been participating in various successful TV shows like Star Voice of India,(Star plus); SAREGAMAPA Challenge 2005(Zee Tv); Indian Idol (Sony T v); National Youth Challenge by Hindustan Times; Sing With A.R. Rahman by Times of India; National winner of Surtarang (Sangam Kala Group)2008 and has also performed in various Devotional programs in different states. She has also been awarded as the BEST SINGER by Surtarang, Sangam Kala group, Voice of Delhi 2007 & faculty of music and fine arts. She has also performed various Sufi kalams at Sadhna Channel, Star plus, NDTV Imagine. She has also given exclusive performances like Vote for Taj at Agra organized by Star-News & devotional concert for Hero cycles Ludhiana. She is also a Radio, and Doordarshan artist and has also rendered her voice for many T-series music albums as well as sung signature tunes for DU Fm90.4 Mhz & Mega Star Of India. She firmly believes in the power of learning by listening, therefore she lends her ear to all forms of music like thumri, chaiti, kajri, Hori, bhajan, geet, ghazal, etc. & try to use various techniques of singing & gayaki in her presentation.
The Sufi jugalbandi duo Roohani Sisters (impaneled by I.C.C.R, Ministry of Ext. Affairs) comprises two members Jagriti Luthra & Neeta Pandey, both young & equally talented Sufi singers. Jagriti & Neeta intensely believe in the Sufi tradition of music. Roohani Sisters are a beautiful mix of two equally talented performers who are at par with each other and on the same hand complement each other with their different yet same styles of singing. Such a duet Sufi performance is able to combine the best of both the performers and this can be noticed when they perform together. When they sing, you definitely know it is Roohani Sisters and not one of the hundreds who all sound the same. And part of what gives them a little more edge is that in addition to a great singing voice, they also write and compose their own material. Roohani Sisters have a firecracker performing personality. Their idea of Sufism lies in devotion, dedication & determination. They know exactly what they want and aren’t afraid to work hard to make it happen. Through Sufism, they aim at giving their view of spirituality, a
new dimension. The Roohani Sisters are equally trained & extremely versatile classical singers. They support themselves with a variety of Performances that include qawwali, bhajans, ghazals, kajri, chaiti and Sufiana kalam forms of music, almost reluctant to talk about the success that is starting to happen to them. It is definitely part of their charm, along with the smoky voice that carries a heavy dose of sultry. Roohani Sisters have performed at various prestigious stages of India like Delhi International Art Festival in 2010, Maha Kumbh Mela at Haridwar, etc and have also given interviews for various channels like Doordarshan, ND Tv Imagine, Aj Tak, Pragya, Focus etc.
“When they sing they are one soul singing, even though they are in two bodies. “
Major Concerts:-
1. Delhi international art festival
2. Banglore international art festival
3. MAHA KUMBH MELA MUSIC FEST. (Swar Ganga
2010), organized by Uttaranchal Govt.
4. NAGAUR FEST., organized by Rajasthan Govt.
5. Sufi Music Festival in Ajmer, 2012
6. DEHRADUN FOUNDER’S DAY FEST., organized by
central govt.
7. HCL Concert series
8. Arpan Festival
9. Co-operate Events in Delhi, Agra, Jaipur etc
10. Grand Sufi Night in Neemrana Fort.
Concerts In Abroad:-
1. Roohani sisters have also participated at International Folk
music Festival
(Ethno) in Sweden. 2008
2. Festival of India ” Africa Day ” in Ethiopia.
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