Kolkata's Dover Lane Music Conference Honors Its Most Loyal Audience Member
In a heartwarming departure from tradition, the 74th Dover Lane Music Conference in Kolkata chose to honor not a performing artist, but its most dedicated listener. Putul Chakraborty, a nonagenarian from Shillong, received special recognition for having attended every single concert over the conference's entire 74-year history.
A Lifetime of Musical Devotion
At 1:40 AM on Republic Day, the 90-year-old Chakraborty addressed the audience, sharing his remarkable journey. "I am over 90 and come every year from Shillong to listen to the stalwarts," he revealed. Despite being a violinist and sitarist who has performed on radio and television himself, Chakraborty emphasized that his primary passion lies in listening to exceptional performances.
He fondly recalled legendary concerts including:
- Pt Bhimsen Joshi's renditions of raag 'Darbari' and 'Todi'
- Vidushi Kishori Amonkar's performances of 'Malkaunch' and 'Jay Jayanti'
"I don't crave front seats but like to mingle with the crowd in the background and listen," Chakraborty explained, demonstrating his genuine connection to the communal concert experience.
Recognition of Kolkata's Discerning Listeners
Dover Lane secretary Monotosh Mukherjee explained the significance of this unusual honor. "The Dover Lane Music Conference began in 1952. I met Putul da in 1977 and learned he had been attending since even earlier," Mukherjee shared. "Honouring him on the final night of the conference, by Pt Nayan Ghosh, was our way of showing respect for Kolkata's discerning listeners."
This sentiment resonated beyond local boundaries, finding echoes among international musicians from Latvia, Spain, and Denmark who participated in the concurrent Sur Jahan festival held in Kolkata from January 23-25. The recognition served as a powerful affirmation of the city's sophisticated concert-going culture.
A Testament to Enduring Passion
Chakraborty's story transcends mere attendance statistics. It represents:
- Unwavering commitment to classical music spanning over seven decades
- Remarkable dedication involving annual travel from Shillong to Kolkata
- Genuine appreciation for musical artistry over personal recognition
- Living connection to India's rich classical music heritage
This unique felicitation at one of India's most prestigious music conferences highlights how true appreciation often comes from the audience rather than the stage. In honoring Putul Chakraborty, the Dover Lane Music Conference celebrated not just musical excellence, but the enduring passion that sustains it through generations of devoted listeners.
