Famed Musician Abhijit Banerjee Battles Aggressive Brain Tumor In SoCal; Fundraiser Appeal
India-West Staff Reporter
LOMA LINDA, CA – The music community is rallying behind renowned tabla maestro Abhijit Banerjee following his recent diagnosis of glioblastoma, a highly aggressive form of brain cancer. The celebrated musician and educator underwent emergency surgery this past November to remove a large tumor and is now facing a challenging road to recovery involving intensive radiation and chemotherapy.
A fundraising campaign has been established by friends and students to assist the family with the mounting costs of specialized medical care, therapy, and basic living expenses during this period of lost income. The appeal seeks to provide financial stability so that the maestro can focus entirely on his health without the burden of mounting debt.
Anyone wishing to support the artiste and his family can make their donations here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-abhijit-banerjees-brain-cancer-battle
The medical emergency has forced the immediate cancellation of Banerjee’s upcoming concert tours in India and abroad, resulting in a total loss of livelihood for the working musician. His family, including his wife Suparna and son Tito, is now navigating a sudden and overwhelming transition. While Abhijit focuses on his grueling treatment plan, Suparna is learning to drive for the first time to manage medical appointments, and Tito has taken on significant family responsibilities at a young age.
The health crisis began on November 16 when Banerjee sought medical attention after experiencing persistent unsteadiness. He was admitted to Loma Linda University Medical Center, where imaging revealed a seven centimeter brain tumor. Surgeons performed a major operation just two days later on November 18 to remove the mass, which pathology reports later confirmed as glioblastoma.
The diagnosis has sent shockwaves through the world of Indian classical music.
Banerjee, a disciple of the legendary Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh, is considered one of the leading tabla players of his generation. Over a prolific career spanning decades, he has accompanied nearly every major luminary of the genre, including Pandit Ravi Shankar and Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma. His work extends beyond traditional boundaries into global fusion, collaborating with international artists and scoring award winning music for films.
In addition to his performance career, Banerjee is a dedicated philanthropist and teacher. He founded the Dhwani Academy of Percussion Music, which operates in Los Angeles and Kolkata, and has been a pioneer in providing musical education to visually challenged students in India.
Colleagues describe him as a humble artist who has spent his life enriching the cultural landscape of both Southern California and his native Bengal.
