THOKCHOM PRASANNA
Thokchom Prasanna Singh initiated his
Sitar studies at the age of 11 under (Late) Prof. L. Mangi Singh (Lucknow Gharana / Traditional School), under
the Head of Sitar Department of Manipur State Government Music College, Imphal, India. Prasanna was
awarded the Manipur State Fellowship for 5 years for further study and research in the traditional sitar style of
Bishnupur Gharanas under world renouned Sitar Maestro, Pandit Manilal Nag of Calcutta. From 1984 to 1993 Prasanna was a professor for Sitar
at the Minipur State Government Music College in Imphal. He had performed on All India Radio, Indian TV and All India Music conferences.
In 1994 Prasanna was co-sponsered by the Prince Georges Arts Council and Nitya Rangam (Maryland) under a cultural exchange
program and continued his teaching and performing career in the United States. Prasanna has performed on several
occasions with "Jazz Around the World" as well as solo recital for Prince Georges Arts Council, Maryland. In 1994, he was the winner of the
solo recital competition of Montpelier Arts Center, Maryland.
In 1996 Prasanna moved to New York and continues as a performer and instructor. He has performed for
the United Nations, Brooklyn Museum, Ruben Museum, Asia Society-NY, Bridgeport University, Columbia University,
Bucknell University, Brooklyn County College, Hunter College, Ka-Tap dance for the World Music Institute at Symphony Space,
Perrysburg Area Arts Council-OH, Indian Mythology-hosted by Indian Center of Westchester, and has been performing for years at the schools
of New York and New Jersey for young audiences with Janaki Patrik's Kathak Ensemble, 'CARAVAN'.
