It has taken Maitreyee and Sistachar Sarcar 40 years to develop a milieu for Indian Classical music in Wolverhampton since they shifted from Kolkata- writes Sistachar Sarcar, the Founder & the former Chief Executive of Surdhwani, UK
I arrived in United Kingdom in the year 1965 and Maitreyee followed me after we got married in 1968. Those were very different and difficult days and the first thing that struck us was how we can socially be involved with the community and keeps us ingrained to our Indian origin. We started Surdhwani - an organisation; which is one of its kind and that promotes Indian classical music. It has taken my wife and me almost 40 years to develop a milieu for Indian classical music in Wolverhampton and develop our idea of promoting Indian classical music through Surdhwani, before we embarked on the idea of broadcasting Surtarang; which means ‘Wave of Melody’ through WCR FM. It was our involvement with Surdhwani, the well known organisation in UK; which we founded in 1987 that inspired us to start the show as an additional enterprise to promote Indian classical music.

At the kind invitation of Wolverhampton Community Radio – the Voice of Wolverhampton, Maitreyee my wife, and I launched the Surtarang radio show on 4th of April 2007 on WCR FM the Voice of Wolverhampton on 101.8; which is now called Wolverhampton City Radio - 101.8 WCR FM. The show is broadcasted between 7 and 8 pm every Wednesday.  This is not the first time we broadcasted a radio show, the first radio show we broadcasted on behalf of Surdhwani was called “Raag Rang” from Wolverhampton Community Radio at the invitation of Wolverhampton City Challenge Radio for four weeks in March 1993 and further broadcasts in June and July 1993 as well as January and February in 1994. It was mostly due to my responsibilities as the Chief Executive of ‘Surdhwani’ to produce and present the show along with Maitreyee. Though other members of the executive committee of Surdhwani took part in it occasionally, ‘Raag Rang’ was yet another tool of Surdhwani for the promotion of Indian classical music.

WCR was formed primarily for the benefit of the people of Wolverhampton although it is available to people all over the world through the Internet (www.wcrfm.com). It took a long time to let people know about Surtarang, the radio show on radio WCR in spite of tireless efforts by my wife Maitreyee, who was totally dedicated to inform the public in every way she could. The feedback we receive from our listeners suggests that the number of listeners is growing slowly, but surely. Our aim is to provide music at its purest form to refresh the mind and spirit of those who listen to it.  We are doing it for our passion for the music and not for any other motivations such as fame or making money. We want to share the music we love with people of Wolverhampton and also with people all over the world if possible. There was no other station available in this country that broadcasts Indian Classical music on a regular basis although BBC Radio 3 has occasionally broadcasted Indian classical music in the past. When we were offered the opportunity to be part of WCR FM, we could not resist hosting the first show in United Kingdom to broadcast Indian classical music. We volunteered to provide this service initially on behalf of Surdhwani because we ourselves were integral part of Surdhwani, me as the Chief Executive and my wife as the Secretary.

However, we both left Surdhwani and I decided to do it in partnership with my wife, independent of Surdhwani. I have since registered Surtarang as an independent domain on the Internet supported by Mr Murray Longworth of 'Annattodesign.co.uk, Website Design and Build' so that subscribers of Surtarang may communicate directly with us by email. All the feedback we have received, suggests that Surtarang is giving much pleasure to many in and around Wolverhampton as well as to many more from across the world, thanks to the Internet. We are providing a voluntary service not only to those who have already developed the taste for it but also to those who have yet to taste the wonderful music which colours the mind through ragas and which does not require the knowledge of any particular language or grammar to appreciate it. Surtarang also acts as a platform for the young musicians to launch their music. This fits well with our principles of playing the tracks of well known musicians as well as budding musicians. Listeners of Surtarang include both musicians and the music lovers. It educates as well as entertains. Surtarang broadcasts a wide spectrum of classical music, music by the great masters as well as music of those who are aspiring to become great. Surtarang is a unique radio show in the UK; which is totally dedicated to Indian classical music.

Playing as many tracks as possible with a variety of genres to suit a variety of taste without sacrificing the quality of the show is the main guiding principle we follow when we produce the show. We play requests whenever we can although we are restricted by the limitation of our stock as it is our own personal stock collected over 40 years for personal pleasure. Some of those are contributions from musicians and record companies such as Biswas Records, Sona Rupa of Leicester, Navras Records, Sense World Music and Questz World.
We would welcome and invite contributions from any source including music stores, musicians or any other source in order to increase our stock to satisfy the requests of our listeners and promote the music by giving away CDs as prizes to the competition that we have incorporated in our show. It has to be pointed out here, that only UK residents are permitted to take part in the competition as we are unable to extend it to everybody who listens to it. We would also invite financial donations from any benevolent donors or interested commercial enterprises to WCR FM which is a community organisation and is funded by generous funding from voluntary as well as non-voluntary organisations. The willing donors are requested to go to the website of WCR FM: www.wcrfm.com and contact Mr Steve Morris, the Station Manager of WCR FM.

 For further information on Surtarang Broadcasts, please contact Mrs Maitreyee Sarcar at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit www.wcrfm.com
We gratefully acknowledge the support from Mr Stefan Cartwright of Innatemusic.co.uk and Swagato Gangopadhyay of Questz World (A Rozaleenda Initiative).


Testimonials to the show

‘The Effervescent Wulfrunian Lady, Smt Maitreyee Sarcar’

It gives me immense pleasure to write a testimonial for the exceptional Wulfrunian lady Smt Maitreyee Sarcar. Smt Sarcar has dedicated her life for the propagation of Indian Raga Music [IRM] in the West. I first heard about Maitreyee during late 80s. Although she does not have any formal training but she has unquenchable thirst for this art. She places the activities with IRM as one of her higher priorities in life. It is heartening to witness her spending major part of the life to popularize the Indian Raga Music in the UK.
It is not easy to educate people to appreciate the details of IRM and popularize it.  Maitreyee achieved this and presented a number of extremely famous and many excellent musicians under the banner ‘Surdhwani’. Surdhwani was formed by her husband Shri Sistachar Sarcar along with its other founder members. Incidentally, Maitreyee is also the co-founder and first Patron Member of Surdhwani. During early 90s with her indefatigable efforts, perseverance and dedication the organisation gained international status and became acknowledged as one of the foremost cultural organisations in UK. Maitreyee and Sistachar also had their focus on IRM-education and carried out a number of educational projects. I am sure that the future will remember Smt Sarcar for her exceptional and almost single-handed contributions.

Maitreyee received many felicitations from different dignitaries and organisations in the UK and international awards from Delhi for her extraordinary contributions in the field of propagating intercultural understanding. Her activities helped different communities to be artistically and personally closer. This naturally promoted peace and harmony in the society. This is an important contribution to the wider region of West Midlands. I am very happy that a couple from my home-city Kolkata have dedicated their lives in the promotion of Indian Heritage and Culture in the UK and worked as Cultural Ambassadors.
I pray that they are granted long lives and continue to serve Indian Raga Music with similar zeal and dedication.

Sanjoy Bandopadhyay UAK Professor, DoIM, RBU & Director, SMTC-DRLOMI

“I am pleased to send my congratulations to Mrs Maitreyee Sarcar for her broadcasting show Surtarang.  She has made a significant contribution to the arts in the UK and I wish her continued success in all that she does to promote the appreciation of classical Asian music, art and culture, which brings people together from all over the world.”

The Rt Hon Lord Swaraj Paul, London, UK.

"Mr. Sistachar Sarcar and Mrs. Maitreyee Sarcar have for many years been a key part of the cultural landscape of the city of Wolverhampton.  Through their Surtarang broadcasts they are introducing wonderful music and our city to the wider world. Mrs. Maitreyee Sarcar is a cultural institution in Wolverhampton.  If she did not exist, we would have to invent her!"

Mr Rob Marris, MP [Wolverhampton South West], House of Commons, London.

"I am very honoured that Maitreyee has asked me to give a testimonial regarding her work in promoting Indian Classical music in Wolverhampton and across the world through her radio broadcasts. I have known Maitreyee for nearly twenty years from when I first started going to the Surdhwani concerts – the most memorable being the wonderful concert by Pandit Ravi Shankar at the Wulfrun Hall in 1992.  Through Maitreyee and Surdhwani, I have come to understand the tiniest fraction of the rich tradition of music and dance of India and while (through my own ignorance) there are some forms I really do not understand, much of the music and all of the dance gives me tremendous pleasure. I have been impressed by the tireless energy and passion which Maitreyee brings to all her undertakings – and now to this new venture in radio broadcasts accessible through the Internet.  She truly is a cultural ambassador on a world stage!"

Sarah Campbell Chief Cultural Services Officer, Wolverhampton City Council, UK.            

                            
"It gives me great pleasure to be able to write briefly about the contribution of Mrs Maitreyee Sarcar to the Surtarang broadcasts.  I have known Maitreyee Sarcar since 1996, when I first worked at the University of Wolverhampton, and during that time I have known her to be a great cultural ambassador for Indian Classical Music [ICM].  In her work with Surdhwani, she has worked tirelessly to produce performances of the highest possible standard, and has opened musical doors to those who might never have heard this music live. It is therefore, no surprise that the Surtarang broadcasts have proved so popular, not only in Wolverhampton, but around the world.  The community music of Wolverhampton has truly become music around the world and Maitreyee Sarcar should be deservedly proud of her success. I am confident that these broadcasts will continue to flourish, and I wish Maitreyee and her husband, Sistachar Sarcar all success in their future work."

John Pymm, Dean: School of Sports, Performing Arts & Leisure [S: SPAL], University of Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK.

“I am privileged to have known Mr and Mrs Sarcar for some twenty years now. Their indefatigable commitment to promoting Asian arts, music and culture in the City of Wolverhampton, the wider region of the West Midlands and beyond is renowned, it is therefore, of no surprise to note that their enthusiasm and expertise has extended into the world of broadcasting, with the ability to deliver through the Internet, the very best in Indian Classical Music to a global audience. Maitreyee and Sistachar Sarcar have been excellent ambassadors for Asian arts, and instrumental in enhancing the cultural life and well-being of the City of Wolverhampton, through this latest initiative, long may they continue to impress upon a potential world audience, the cultural appreciation of Indian Classical Music and, at the same time, enhance the reputation of Wolverhampton as a rich, welcoming diverse City.”

Councillor Peter Bilson, the Deputy Leader Labour Group, Wolverhampton City Council, Wolverhampton, UK.

“It is no doubt what Mr & Mrs Sarcar have been doing a great service to our North Indian classical vocal and instrumental music for so many years for the world. It is a great work to promote and make aware to the younger generations of people of today. To get to know and to be able to listen to the rare recordings of the maestros. A very rare opportunity to be able to listen to our great legendary artists of the past and present time.
My soulful thanks and gratitude to them for their hard working service without any self interest. With all my respect I congratulate Mr and Mrs Sarcar for their sincere and dedicated service to the north Indian classical music [ICM/IRM].”

Ustad Aashish Khan, the internationally renowned Sarodia, [the son of the legendary Swara Samrat, sarod virtuoso, late Ustad {Dr} Ali Akbar Khan], Valencia, California, USA.

"A long journey I have covered from a disciple to being a guru, from a simple person to an eminent musician by the grace of God. During this journey I met several people, organizations, foundations, organizers etc, some to be deleted from my musical mind and some to be kept forever like precious gems. Amongst the precious gems I keep the two personalities of this earth, Mrs and Mr. Sarcar the founders of Surdhwani, who have not only endeavoured throughout but contributed their life in preaching Indian classical music to the West. Surtarang the youngest feather of their age old experiences is also a commendable means to give wings to their passion and in turn also the easiest flight for us to reach our fans. I wish Mrs. Maitreyee and Mr. Sistachar Sarcar for their well being and great success in their noble aim.”

Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, (Padmashree awardee from President of India and Grammy award winner), Jaipur, India.

“I would like to congratulate you for the extraordinary work you are doing in promoting Indian Classical Music on the Radio Sur Tarang. I have heard numerous artists on your Broadcasts and enjoyed them immensely.  I wish you all the success in your forthcoming programmes.”
Raza Ali Khan, [the son of the legendary late Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan].

SURTARANG: 'Radio Raga'

“Surtarang is a radio show broadcasting Indian classical music and is a highlight of my audio week. I first tuned into the show over the internet a few years ago and have been hooked since. The presenters Shish and Maitreyee Sarcar are fine ambassadors for Raga and are doing good work in supporting the new generation of artists. It is refreshing to hear amateurs: people doing it for the love rather than for the money, sharing their interest with the world, particularly as they sound so composed and at home in the studio environment. I enjoy the passion and knowledge they bring and their friendly and informal chat in-between the music.

Their weekly broadcast on Wolverhampton's Community Radio Station WCRFM, is attracting listeners from all over the globe, from Japan to New Jersey, USA and from Chennai, India to Paris, Europe. The show strikes a healthy balance in presenting music by upcoming artists as well as playing classic and lesser known Ragas by some of the great maestros. Surtarang: Recommended listening for aficianados of the wonderful art-form known as Raga can be heard between 7 and 8pm GMT every Wednesday by visiting the website <www.wcrfm.com> and clicking on Listen Live!”

Stefan Cartwright, [Musician, Composer and teacher] from Gloucester, UK.

“I have been an avid listener of the ‘Sur Tarang’ broadcasts over years now, which you and Mr. Sistachar Sarcar conduct with amazing regularity, while maintaining quality contents. As far as I know, this hour-long broadcast, committed entirely to Indian Classical Music, is a unique broadcast of its kind, in the West. It is my pleasure to mention that to see such committed volunteering work for Indian Classical Music in a faraway land like UK is indeed heart warming and reassuring, and a rare example of unflinching commitment towards propagation of the art form, especially in a faraway land, across the globe.”

Budhaditya Mukherjee, Sitarist, Kolkata, India. (www.budhaditya.com)

I write to thank you for the tireless work you do on behalf of Asian music in the UK. Knowing that as an English composer, I had an interest in Indian music and the Raga structure to the classical works, you invited me in to meet many top class performers at your wonderful Arena theatre. Here I became immersed in the beauty and quality of music that was performed and you and your husband were kind enough to assist me in this understanding. The Arena has a great atmosphere and is so welcoming to all. You are a little Lady with an enormous passion for your mother country and its music. Your enthusiasm and enjoyment is infectious and I soon tapped into it. I also love your sense of humour and the whole place seems to centre around your positive character and true love of what you and your colleagues offer to the community. My request for your assistance in helping me to find an Indian composer with whom I could work has led to a huge Anglo/Indian teaching project that is being planned as I write. Dr. Rajeeb Chakraborty became a great friend and works with me on this project and he is currently managing my team of musicians in Kolkata in relation to a global project.

This all started with your assistance and is a real testament to the dedicated way in which you find time for other people's projects as well as your own. I regard you as one of my closest friends and I am in total admiration of the effort and expertise that you employ in the management of Surdhwani and the radio station which has followed. With the help and collaboration of Mr. Sarcar, you bring a fresh and friendly show to the air waves each week. It combines a wide selection of styles and sounds with a personal touch and the whole show is relaxing, unassuming and well presented. Thanks to you and your husband I have been able to access your wonderful country, its wonderful people and its beautiful music. With your help I have accessed 2 companies in Kolkata who are now my technology partners and I visit India often in connection with this business venture which now employs more than 20 Indian people. Keep up the good work and we all want many more years of joy from the theatre and the radio shows.

David Jephcott FRSA [British Composer/Musician/Broadcaster/Engineer from Shrewsbury].

“Maitreyee first showcased me in a concert with Ustad Zakir Hussain. Those were relatively early days for my career as a Santoor player. I am grateful to them not only for introducing Indian classical music to that part of the world, but also Santoor as an instrument for presenting music. As many are aware that I did pledge my life to establish Santoor as an instrument to present Indian classical music, I must say Maitreyee did all she could in helping me to establish the same.”

PANDIT SHIV KUMAR SHARMA, THE LEGENDARY SANTOOR VIRTUOSO, MUMBAI, INDIA.

"I have been associated with Mrs Maitreyee Sarcar and Mr Sarcar and their association Surdhwani since almost 20 years now. The splendid work they have been doing all these years for Indian Classical Music is unmatched. Starting from maestros to young musicians, all have been presented through them all these years in the UK. They have been single-handedly giving their best effort for the cause and service of Indian classical music, the way they have been doing the "SURTARANG" presentation. My all around support and best wishes are with them all my life."

SUBHANKAR BANERJEE, TABALIYA, KOLKATA.

“I feel very proud to mention that Mr. & Mrs. Sarcar had been promoting Indian Classical Music for long time through “SURDHWANI”. They had been arranging concerts not only for established musicians but also for upcoming young musicians. My first tour in U.K. was also through Surdhwani’s invitation. I am very glad to know that now they are also spreading Indian Classical Music worldwide through the SURTARANG Radio. I convey my best wishes & best regards to them.”

KUSHAL DAS, SITARIST, KOLKATA.

"I have known Maitreyee Sarcar for a very short period that too through technology and not through direct contact. The profoundness never cares distance and I truly realized her as one of the most hard working ladies of the world. She is known for her dedication towards promoting Indian classical music and she strives to her fullest capacity for that. What she receives in return is meagre for her but what she can give through her goodwill is something to be noted. She is like a sublime and unseen bridge between India and U.K.; which cannot be sighted yet can be felt through the caring hand as Mother Nature. Centuries will pass by like flowing waters, we all are like sails upon it, and there are some people for whom we feel secured.  She is one of them securing the Indian Heritage.  Her brainchild Surtarang is like a floating gem upon the vast waters of melody pouring the eternal knowledge of 'Ragas' and 'Talas' let alone with popularising them. I wish that she continues enriching us with her endeavours.  I visualise her as the eternal Veena enchanting and mesmerizing the earth with her music. Let her also be an inspiring star for the musical generations to come. While Maitreyee Sarcar is setting an example, Mr. Sarcar too remains like the moon rotating around the earth of music as a ring to increase its beauty.
Being a poet I have always been preferring verses to prose but to describe this lady let this prose be showcased.

Regards.”

The Poet Laureate Dr Sonnet Mondal, D. Lit, Kolkata, India. [www.sonnetmondal.co.cc].