A letter from Ustad Amir Khan to Kankana's father Mr.J.N.Chatterjee from Bombay.Dated 24 June, 1958

Contents of the letter ..

Bombay
the 24th June '58

My dear Chatterjee,

I am very glad to receive your letter I often feel for your sweet and frolic mood which I enjoyed during your stay in Bombay. After your departure we all felt very lonely for a day or two. I very often remember Mahua and her muscial talents. I have found in her a crazy zeal for learning classical music in my style which is really a very interesting feature to me. She has understood my gaiki and as such she has been able to pick up sargams so quickly within such a short time. She will do well if she practices as such. Sunil will leave for Calcutta on 29-6-58 by Bombay mail via Nagpur. We are all keeping well. There has been heavy rains here since last thursday. Hope you are all in good health. With best wishes to you & Mrs Chatterjee and love to Mahua & Chhota Baba.

Yours sincerely,
Amir Khan

Amrita Bazar Patrika, Kolkata

"Among the rising Vocalists Kankana Banerjee's gradual development of the Raga Sudh Kalyan with a sense of beautiful Safat and boltans in the calm and confident manner of Amir Khan, flawless proceeding made us conscious of an upcoming young star in vocal music."

Times of India, Mumbai

"A disciple of Ustad Amir Khan, young Kankana Banerjee singing Kheyal in Raga Malkaus revealed her adherence to the strict traditions of our classical music. Purity of the swara and balanced blending of the scientific and aesthetic aspects marked the rendering of the nocturnal melody. The phrasing, the Sargam patterning and the heart numbing alaps helped to create the right Malkaus mood."

The Indian Express

"Kankana Banerjee, a vocalist from Kolkata, who made her debut on the city platform, showed firm impress of Amir Khan's gayaki. Singing in a soft pleasant voice, she spotted the basic notes of raag Malkausa with a vivid sense of melody. The slow introduction built up the essential form of this traditional raag in long, leisurely sweeps. Fluctuations of tempo, degree of ornamentation, intricacy of 'taan' patterns all were profoundly devoted to the evocation of intense feeling."

Nagpur Times

"If what lingers, what elevates the soul is music, a select audience had this experience when they heard Miss Kankana Banerjee of Calcutta. True to her study with Ustad Amir Khan, who is credited to have popularised it, Kankana selected Marwa to begin with and soon established rapport with the audience. She presented two compositions of her Guru in this raga. Miss Kankana is a talented artist. Endowed with a soft voice she sings with considerable ease and felicity."