Nikhilranjan Banerjee was born in a Bengali middle class family on 14th October, 1931. He was the child of Jitendranath Banerjee and Durgarani Devi. Jitendranath himself was an amateur sitar player and a great lover of music.
From his early childhood, Nikhil used to feel an intense attraction towards the sitar. When young boys and girls of his age were busy playing and running around, Nikhil used to sit at home and listen to his father's riyaaz (practice). Touched by his little son's interest and dedication, Jitendranath agreed to teach him. But being from a conservative Bengali family, Nikhil had to face stiff opposition, particularly from the senior members of the joint family. Music, at that time, was looked upon as a distraction that would hamper one's academic interests and pursuits. However, young Nikhil soon overcame every opposition by his talent and perseverence.
One of Nikhil's main sources of knowledge of music in his childhood was the monthly magazine "Sangeet Bigyan Prabeshika". It used to feature a detailed discussion on the techniques and nuances of sitar playing by Mohinimohan Mishra, and musical notes of contemporary experts like Brajendranath Thakur, Satyakinkar Bandopadhyay, and others. Little Nikhil was also a silent spectator to the frequent musical discussions that used to take place in their house between Jitendranath and his friends, many of whom would also often listen to the little boy's riyaaz. One such admirer of young Nikhil's talent was Andrews Gomez, disciple of sitar legend Ustad Enayat Khan. Gomez was impressed by Nikhil's potential and decided to teach him. The little boy found his next mentor.
Under the tutelage of Andrews Gomez, Nikhil was initiated into the celebrated gharana (musical family) of Ustad Imdad Khan and his son Enayat Khan. Gomez could identify tremendous potential in this youngster and was determined to make him a big artist. Thanks to his initiatives, Nikhil Banerjee became the youngest performer on the All India Radio, at the age of nine. Immediately after that, came the All Bengal Music Competition on October 1939. Nikhil secured the first position among all the contestants in all categories (more than 600 participants), and created history by becoming the youngest player to do so. As a token of appreciation for his achievement, Nikhil was given the chance to play in his first major concert in the 7th All Bengal Music Festival (4-day long festival which featured the greatest vocalists and instrumentalists of India).
Nikhil was soon recognized in the music circles as a child prodigy. Boosted by his son's talent, Jitendranath decided to take him to a proper guru. But it was not an easy task. Being the only earning member of a big family, it was difficult for him to afford the fees of the big Ustads. One of the most famous sitar artists based in Calcutta at that time was Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan. Jitendranath had learned from one of Ustadji's father's disciple, Ashiq Ali Khan, for some time, and was hence acquainted with their baaj (instumental style). Mushtaq Ali Khan had also heard Nikhil's music being one of the judges in the All Bengal Music Competition. So Jitendranath took Nikhil to the Ustad. Nikhil's tutelage started under his first guru.
Nikhil Banergee Shares a rhythm and tonal perfection on sitar.
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One of Nikhil's main sources of knowledge of music in his childhood was the monthly magazine "Sangeet Bigyan Prabeshika". It used to feature a detailed discussion on the techniques and nuances of sitar playing by Mohinimohan Mishra, and musical notes of contemporary experts like Brajendranath Thakur, Satyakinkar Bandopadhyay, and others. Little Nikhil was also a silent spectator to the frequent musical discussions that used to take place in their house between Jitendranath and his friends, many of whom would also often listen to the little boy's riyaaz. One such admirer of young Nikhil's talent was Andrews Gomez, disciple of sitar legend Ustad Enayat Khan. Gomez was impressed by Nikhil's potential and decided to teach him. The little boy found his next mentor.