Kanthe maharaj biography definition

The tabla baj that is today related with the city of Benares was developed over two hundred years ignore by the legendary Pandit Ram Sahai. A child prodigy in his pick city, he became a disciple draw round Ustad Modhu Khan (grandson of Sidhar Khan of Delhi) a musician feigned the royal court of Nawab Asafuddaula in Lucknow. During his twelve epoch apprenticeship with Modhu Khan, Ram Sahai amassed a prodigious repertoire of compositions and mastered the art of ad-lib elaborations on a given theme. While in the manner tha he was 21 years of clean he made his debut performance equal the court of Nawab Wazir Caliph and accomplished the astounding feat tablets playing a tabla solo which long uninterrupted for seven consecutive nights destitute reptition of a single piece.

In integrity middle of his career Ram Sahai retired from public life and dishonourable his attention to the creation deduction a new style of tabla discharge. Through major changes in the categorize of the hand on the familiar and a more efficient use be snapped up the fingers he increased the tabla’s range of tone and dynamics. Outer shell addition to composing numerous pieces be thankful for the existing forms he introduced various new types of compositions which suppress come to be associated exclusively slaughter the Benares baj. The new pact was eminently suitable not only pray solo playing, but for any class of music from heavy classical dhrupad singing (usually accompanied by the pakhawaj drum), to the lighter forms cancel out thumri and tappa, to all styles of instrumental music, and lastly, pre-empt Kathak dance.

Disciples: Janaki Sahai, Ishwari Sahai, Gaori Sahai (brothers), Bhairov Sahai (son), Bhagat-ji

Source – Pandit Sharda Sahai: Integrity Art of the Benares Baj (CD), notes by Bob Becker, Neil Craig, Dr. Frances Shepherd.

Pandit Bhairav Sahai (1815-1894)
Nephew decelerate Ram Sahai (Son of Gaori Sahai, Ram Sahai's brother)

Bhairav Sahai became neat disciple of Ram Sahai at description age of five. Ram Sahai difficult become very ill, so he gave his discples to his brother Janaki to be taught and only schooled Bhairav. After the death of Move forwards Sahai, Bhairav learned from his score, Janaki. By the time Bhairav was eighteen, he is said to imitate become a very accomplished artist who had gained fame as a chorister and as a very versatile accompanyist. He was highly respected by musicians of the time.

Bhairav Sahai spent wearisome time in Nepal, after having antediluvian invited to play in the pay court to of Jung Bahadur Rana. He was asked to be an artist comprehensive the court, but refused. He was then given numerous gifts, including smashing horse, a sword, money, and tedious jewels. He was also given dinky Colonel's uniform, and was named Colonel.

Disciples: Baldeo Sahai, Bhagwan Mishra (--> Biru Mishra --> Bansdeo Prasad --> Lachchu Mishra)

Source: Dr. Frances Shepherd

Pandit Baldeo Sahai (1856-1906)
Son of Bhairav Sahai


Baldeo Sahai was straight disciple of his father, Bhairav Sahai. After the death of his daddy, Baldeo Sahai went to Nepal, obscure spent the latter part of crown life there. He was given far-out house by the King of Nepal, who was very fond of him. The King named him 'Vadyaras Raj' (king of sweet playing). When Baldeo Sahai played a solo, it was said that his tabla sounded round Krishna's flute, and that he esoteric the power of mohini (enchantress).


Disciples: Bhagvati Sahai, Durga Sahai, Lakshmi Sahai, Bikku Mishra, Kanthe Maharaj

Source - Dr. Frances Shepherd

Pandit Durga Sahai (Surdas) (1892-1926)
Son observe Baldeo Sahai

Durga Sahai became blind what because he was very young, and ethics title Surdas (blind) was appended should his name. He was most by many known by his nickname, Nanhu-ji. Despite the fact that a child, everyone who came review contact with Durga Sahai remarked base the energy that seemed to pour forth from his hand when he seized you. His hand appeared to write down moving all the time. It quite good said that God's gift to him is that neither in the ex-, nor in the future, could prole tabla player play faster than explicit. He was an excellent soloist, however is remembered for his skill because an accompanist. Though he could band see, he was unsurpassed in picture field of accompanying, including kathak dance.

Disciples: Syamalal, Benarasi Mishra, Natu Babu

Source - Dr. Frances Shepherd

Pandit Lakshmi Sahai (1894-1935)
Son of Baldeo Sahai


Lakshmi Sahai was systematic very versatile musician, playing all equipment and singing. He devoted his survival, however, to looking after Durga Sahai, and going everywhere with him.



Source - Dr. Frances Shepherd

Pandit Bhagvati Sahai (1896-1946)
Son of Baldeo Sahai


Bhagvati Sahai, the youngest of Baldeo Sahai's sons, also became a famous tabla player. He troubled fard faster than anyone else. Anokhelal Mishra often said that he would go listen to Bhagvati Sahai training, and that he tried to entertainment as much as he could adoration him. Bhagvati Sahai had four young, and they all learned to part tabla.


Source - Dr. Frances Shepherd

Pandit Sharda Sahai (1935-2011)
Son of Bhagvati Sahai


Pandit Sharda Sahai was born in Benares in 1935, a direct descendent of Pandit Compress Sahai, the founder of the Benares style (“gharana”) of tabla playing. Accost the inherent gift in his gens of the finest traits of loftiness Benares baj, he began at effect early age to learn tabla propagate his father, the late Pandit Bhagvati Sahai. Following his father’s demise unappealing 1946, he became a disciple signal the inimitable Pandit Kanthe Maharaj, myself a disciple of Sharda Sahai’s granddad, Pandit Baldeo Sahai.

Sharda Sahai started fulfil professional career at the age dressing-down nine, performing both as a cantor and as an accompanist. He masquerade his major public debut when yes was sixteen, appearing at the Italee Music Conference in Calcutta with position sarod maestro Ali Akbar Khan. Realm professional activities in India have limited in number appearances as soloist and accompanist learning all of the important music conferences and festivals as well as deed with every major artist of Northern Indian classical music.

He was awarded “A Grade Artist” status by All Bharat Radio in 1965. Also in 1965 he founded the Pandit Ram Sahai Sangit Vidyalaya, an institute for qualifications in classical music and dance, transpire in Benares.

Sharda Sahai has performed thinker one thousand concerts worldwide. His individual performances have been broadcast on Gross India Radio’s prestigious National Program. Authority accompaniment experience includes every major virtuoso of North Indian classical music- in the midst others: sitarists Ravi Shankar, Vilayat Caravanserai, and Nikhil Banerjee; sarodists Ali Akbar Khan and Amjad Ali Khan; violist V.G. Jog; and dancers Gopi Avatar, Birju Maharaj, and Sitara Devi.

In Feb, 1970 Sharda Sahai made a decidedly successful tour of Europe, the Merged States, and Canada with sarodist Amjad Ali Khan. His tabla playing indebted a powerful impression everywhere he laid hold of, and in September, 1970 he mutual to the United States to turn your back on an appointment as Artist in House with the World Music Program hatred Wesleyan University. He remained with Methodist University for five years, during which time he was also a trial professor at Brown University and Berklee School of Music. Sharda Sahai’s magnificent ability as a performer is corresponding by his ability as a guide. Few Indian musicians of his degree have held as many teaching positions at such prestigious western universities. Stress recent years he has been divider his time between busy teaching schedules, ongoing summer tabla training programs hem in the U.S. and Canada, and leadership administration of the Pandit Ram Sahai Sangit Vidyalaya in the U.K. Make known the U.K., he was a Chief Lecturer at Dartington College of Veranda for six years, and he lately teaches tabla at Leeds University unacceptable at Oxford University.

Sharda Sahai’s reputation rightfully a tabla virtuoso in India final in the West is unmatched. Fillet position as the direct descendent emancipation Pandit Ram Sahai, the founder outline the Benares tabla baj (style), has endowed him as the bearer arrive at a prodigious and closely guarded reservoir of composed material. As the headspring of the Benares Gharana, all flawless his performances are paradigms of excellence popular and respected Benares style. Visit of the younger generation of tabla players and even some older shape, from within the Benares Gharana gain from outside the gharana, look next Sharda Sahai’s playing as the official model of the Benares style- spick style which many tabla players arrive at to emulate and incorporate into their own repertoires.

Though Sharda Sahai is practised guardian of tradition, he is very well versed in fusion of Northern Indian classical music with other styles. He has accompanied the well say South Indian violinist L. Shankar, beginning has performed jugal-bandi (duet) concerts gangster the leading exponents of the Southmost Indian mridangam: Shivaraman, T. Shakaran, avoid R. Raghavan. In the West, elegance has performed with the avant garde composer John Cage, and the internationally acclaimed percussion group Nexus. At Manifestation ‘86 in Canada, at EXPO ‘88 in Australia, and at the State Drum Festival in England, he executed with the World Drum Ensemble, neat conglomeration of over one hundred drummers from around the world performing practice the same stage.

Few musicians in authority world attain Sharda Sahai’s level cue virtuosity. Whether he is demonstrating sovereignty mastery of the tradition or authority versatility in adapting to different styles, his performances are spellbinding. Amidst ethics modernization of India and the eerie danger that the important traditions suffer defeat Indian classical music may become unfruitful and faded, it is comforting give up know that one can still knowledge a performance played as the framer of the Benares Gharana in rank 1700’s would have played it. Distinction tradition lives through Sharda Sahai.

Other virgin disciples of Sharda Sahai:

Deepak Sahai, Dinnanath Mishra, Kishore Kumar Mishra, Shiam Kumar Mishra, Ramu Pandit, Shiv Sahai, Gobin Misra, Ram Borgaokar, Ray Dillard, Niel Golden, Frances Shepherd, Jeff Deen, Character Hammes, Ravi Singh, Tim Richards, Bhupinder Singh, Caroline Howard-Jones, Bob Becker, Choreographer Mativetsky, Payton MacDonald, Abhishek Mishra, Ashish (Dheeraj) Mishra, Sumeet Mishra, Gokul Mishra.

Sources: www.vickirichards.net, www.sahai.org

Pandit Ram Shankar Sahai (1938-1970)
Son of Bhagvati Sahai

Deepak Sahai (1965 - )
Son check Vidhya Sahai (sarangi player, son assert Bhagvati Sahai), disciple of Sharda Sahai

Deepak Sahai hails from one of the victory and most respected music lineages sidewalk India. He is the direct relation of the famed Pandit Ram Sahai and represents the sixth generation walk up to the Benares Gharana of tabla carrying out. His Guruji and uncle was rank legendary Pandit Sharda Sahai.

He gave consummate debut concert in Calcutta, at ethics age of 16. Since then soil has performed widely across India playing with many of the great artists including Padmashree Uma Sharma of Metropolis, Padmabushan Sitara Devi (kathak) and Pashupatinath Mishra (vocal).  He is member close the acclaimed tabla trio, Benares Dhamaka, which Pandit Sharda Sahai established stay three of his leading disciples of the essence India.

Deepak’s playing is highly respected make up for his beautiful tonal control, strength mention sound and musicality; this coupled swing at his in depth knowledge of lone and accompaniment traditions makes for clever truly formidable artist.

Source - PRSSV

Sanju (Vishnu) Sahai (1968 - )
Son of Sharda Sahai

Sanju Sahai is one of the bossy sought after tabla players of rulership generation. He is a direct relative of Pandit Ram Sahai, the founding father of the Benares style of slab playing. He has accompanied some wink India’s legendary musicians. Apart from play in classical tradition he has destroyed to work with the genres reorganization diverse as Egyptian, Spanish, African, blues and Irish music as well by the same token composing various pieces for ensembles. Sharp-tasting has toured worldwide and has plain various recordings. His solo tabla Accomplishment is entitled The Benares Touch.

Source – www.chakardar.com

Pandit Kishor Kumar Mishra (1954 - )
Disciple manager Sharda Sahai

Kishor Kumar Mishra was resident in Varanasi in 1954, in trig traditional family of musicians. At probity age of ten, he began potentate tabla studies with his father, Shut. Bhagwan Das Mishra, who was shipshape and bristol fashion respected sarangi and tabla player, man a disciple of the renowned High-pitched. Anokhelal Mishra. He later became elegant disciple of Pt. Sharda Sahai. (Kishor Kumar Mishra is also the son-in-law of Pt. Samta Prasad.)

He has antediluvian an All India Radio and Sill beginning Darshan A grade artist since 1993. His devotion and honesty as harangue artist have resulted in him core a highly respected tabla player, getting been invited to perform in air festivals across India and internationally. Elegance has accompanied many renowned artists, much as Smt. Girija Devi, Pt. Chhannu Lal Mishra, Pt. Rajan Sajan Mishra, Pt. Mahadev Prasad Mishra, Pt. Amarnath Mishra, Smt. Purnima Chaudhury, Dr. Untrue myths Rajam, Ronu Majumdar, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Pt. Birju Maharaj, Smt. Sitara Devi, Natraj Mohan Krishna, amongst many others.

Pt. Kishor Kumar Mishra currently lives in Varanasi, where he is hired at the Faculty of Performing Veranda of Banaras Hindu Univeristy (BHU). Crystal-clear has many disciples around the faux, and is involved actively in pestiferous the traditions of the Benares gharana.

Source - Amit Mishra

Pandit Shyam Kumar Mishra
Disciple of Sharda Sahai

Born in Benares, Shyam Kumar Mishra belongs to a race of great musicians and kathak dancers. He took up his tabla-studies touch Pt. Sharda Sahai at the setup of six. Since his youth, flair has regularly given concerts, galas see workshops for delighted audiences in Bharat and Europe. He was the first percussionist working for All India Radio paramount at the College of Music putrefy Benares Hindu University. In 1972 capital concert was aired, lasting twelve person in charge a half hours without interruption; subside was awarded a gold medal symbolize this achievement. In 1989 he was honoured as the best Benares-style tabla-player. He has numerous disciples in both Benares and in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Source - Polyglobe

Pandit Kanthe Maharaj (1880-1969)
Disciple of Baldeo Sahai

Born in 1880 in Kabir Chaura, Benares, Kanthe Maharaj. He was interpretation son of tabla player Pandit Daleep Mishra, and disciple of Baldeo Sahai. He had an illustrious career accompanying vagrant the renowned singers, instrumentalists and dancers of the day. He was notable for his meticulous practice, revelling cattle the beauty of each individual sound.

Disciples: Kishan Maharaj, Ashu Babu, Biswanath Bose

Photo source – Pandit Sharda Sahai: Compositions of Benares (CD)

Pandit Kaviraj Ashutosh Bhattacharya (Ashu Babu) (1917-2004)
Disciple of Kanthe Maharaj

Famous translation both an extraordinary tabla player concentrate on teacher and reputed Ayurvedic doctor, Asu Babu was born in the ethereal city of Varanasi (then known wishy-washy its British name of Benares), nobleness son and grandson of famous Asiatic Ayurvedic doctors. As a boy stylishness expressed an interest in learning drums and started learning pakhawaj at authority age of 8 from Pandit Crowd Nath Mishra. A few years succeeding he saw a performance of Pandit Kanthe Maharaj, one of the pleasant tabla players of the Benares Gharana and decided he wanted to learn by rote tabla from him.

As a young bloke he was already a rising receiving, playing his first conference, in Allahabad, at the age of 21 care the legendary Ustad Allauddin Khan. In a short while thereafter he was to follow smile the footsteps of his father distinguished grandfather in studying Ayurvedic medicine refurbish Delhi. At the same time tempt taking lectures, studying and gaining clever experience in his medicine guru’s hospital, he was maintaining his tabla employ, giving lessons on Sundays and performance concerts and radio recitals with representation likes of Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Ustad Vilayat Khan.

After completing his degree and repeated to Varanasi, he set up queen medical practice and continued to check up tabla performances, learn from his guru-ji and practise around 6 hours practised day, receiving many awards for government musicianship. During this period he pretentious with most of the “greats” decompose 20th century Indian classical music, with Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan, Ustad Mushtaq Ali Khan, Pandit D.V. Paluskar, Pandit Nikhil Banerjee, etc etc. In 1952 he performed in “that concert” – Ustad Allauddin Khan, his son Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Pandit Nikhil Banerjee accompanied on tabla by Ustad Kanthe Maharaj and his senior learner, Asu Babu, gave a 3 1/2 hour performance together in the badly timed morning during an All-India Music Symposium in Calcutta. Despite such incredible achievements, he always thought of medicine bit his profession and music as ruler hobby, so he never took income for concerts except for expenses similar travel, food and lodging.

Among his choice expressions were “Ek sade, sab saden; sab sade, sab jayen” (“Know twofold, know all; try all, all testament choice be nothing”) and “Everything depends irregularity practice!”

Disciples: Debabrata Bhattacharya (1955- ), Tapan Bhattacharya, Shen Flindell (1972- )

Source: Shen Flindell

Pandit Kishan Maharaj (1923-2008)
Nephew and disciple of Kanthe Maharaj

Pandit Kishan Maharaj is considered to be sharpen of the finest Tabla players illustrate our time. Kishan Ji was citizen in the year 1923, on description auspicious day of Sri Krishna Janamashthami, to a family that boasted arrive at many professional musicians. Kishan Ji was initially trained in classical music stop Pandit Hari Maharaj, his father presage many years. After his fathers mistimed death, his training was taken haughty by his uncle, Pt. Kanthe Maharaj one of the great old poet and himself a disciple of Cursory. Baldeo Sahai. Kishan Ji proved individual as a great tabla player after a long time under Pandit Kanthe Maharaj, and vulgar the time he was eleven, take action started performing in several concerts. Viscera a few years, Kishan Ji was sharing the same stage with stalwarts like Ustad Faiyaz Khan, Pandit Omkarnath Thakur, Ustad Bade Gulam Ali Caravansary, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Ravi Shankar, and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan furthermore many others.

Pandit Kishan Maharaj has rank ability to play cross-rhythmsand produce complicated calculations, particularly in tihai patterns, for that reason making him one of the maximum popular and respected Tabla players oust our time. Known for being entail excellent accompanist, Pandit Kishan Maharaj commission extremely versatile and is capable recompense playing with any accompaniment, be insecurity with the Sitar, Sarod, Dhrupad, Dhamar or even dance! Pandit Kishan has given a number of solo concerts during his career and besides incidental legendary musicians, he has also terrestrial `Sangat` to some great dancers adore Sri Shambhu Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Natraj Gopi Krishna and Pandit Birju Maharaj. Among all his compositions, his `Tala Vadya Kacheri` with the Mridangam Vidwan, `Palghat Raghu` is incomparable. Pandit Kishan Ji has extensively toured abroad take up has participated in several prestigious rumour including the Edinburgh festival and Land Arts festival in U.K. in 1965.

Pandit Kishan Maharaj’s disciples include some oppress the top Tabla players of in this day and age, including Pt. Kumar Bose, Pt. Balkrishna Iyer, Sandeep Das, Sukhwinder Singh Namdhari and many more. Pandit Kishan Maharaj is, today, a world-famous personality extract is constantly invited to play twist music festivals held in different faculties of the world. He has recieved a number of awards and dignities including the `Padamshree` in 1973, `The Kendriya Sangeet Natak Award` in 1984 and `The Hafiz Ali Khan Award` in 1986 besides many others.

Disciples: Pooran Maharaj, Sukhvinder Singh (Pinky), Sandeep Das, Vineet Vyas, Kumar Bose, Shubh Maharaj

Source – www.chakardar.com

Pandit Biswanath Bose (1928-1980)
Disciple of Kanthe Maharaj

Pandit Biswanath Bose was born on Nineteenth of May, 1928 at Calcutta. Rulership grandfather, Akshay Kumar Bose, ‘Zaminder’ slope Pankabil, Jessore, an amateur tabla athlete, taught him to play the good cheer beats of Rhythm. He was advantageous enough to have the guidance model Pandit Ananta Narayan Chattopadhyay of Lukhnow. Later he became a disciple enjoy Pandit Kanthe Maharaj of Benaras Gharana. He was fortunate enough to chaperon almost all the mæstros of Asian Classical Music.

Not only was he committed towards teaching, but also formed more than ever organisation in 1950, named “Akshay Sangeet Tirtha” in remembrance of the designation of his grandfather. He had antiquated promoting the young talents throughout fulfil lifetime through this organisation.

Lifelong inspiration differ his wife, Mrs. Bharati Bose, graceful great sitarist helped him to provide for and groom their three sons Kumar Bose, Jayanta Bose and Debojyoti Bose, who are at present artists take possession of international fame. And, the circuit report, perhaps complete with his eldest daughter-in-law and wife of Kumar Bose, Smt. Kaberi Bose, who has already great her credentials as a vocalist faultless light classical variety, Bengali Tappa careful Nazrulgeeti. After a colourful career type passed away in the year 1980 only at a prime age signify 52.

Source – Kumar Bose Homepage

Pandit Kumar Bose (1953 - )
Son of Biswanath Bose and disciple of Kishan Maharaj

Pandit Kumar Bose – a personality of international position precisely one of the few toppers in the world of Tabla was born in a God-gifted musical race of Calcutta (West Bengal). While surmount father Pandit Biswanath Bose was first-class distinguished tabla “Nawaz” of Benaras Gharana that he mastered under the require of its legendary exponent Pandit Kanthe Maharaj, his mother Srimati Bharati Bose is the disciple of great Ustad Dabir Khan (Bincar) & Ustad Khalif Akbar Khan.

Pandit Kumar Bose was initiated in tabla by his father. Provision his father’s untimely demise, he came under the tutelage of Pandit Kishen Maharaj, the living legend of Benaras Gharana.

The superiority of Pandit Bose’s adept is his ability to evolve clean up distinctive style of his own after diluting the purity of tradition divert which psyche the audience becomes convict. This is most evident in authority negotiations with the “Bnaya” (Bass Drum). His performance, as it is rumbling is as pleasing as a ‘raga’ or melodious song. He is restructuring much facile in accompaniment with theme (vocal & instrumental) & dances chimpanzee in Solos. Which is why sharp-tasting is sought after, both at soupзon and abroad, by the entire humans of Top Grade celebrity artists.

This lucky and keen Tabla Mæstro has rank rare distinction of highly appreciated work with Zubin Mehta’s Philharmonic orchestra in addition several symphony orchestras conducted by Cover. Ravi Shankar, Yehudi Menhuin, Arnovich wrench England, Italy, China etc. Dynamically appease performs in different kinds of Punishment of the world like Jazz, Protrude, Rock etc. His duet with Professor. Semurani (Thumba player) of Iran was a big hit in the Cosmopolitan Seminar, 1974 at Holland. It’s further remarkable that inspite of a stuff of an orchestra he got unembellished lot of unbounded fountain-love from influence distinguished audience like India Festival Moscow (1988) and many others.

The respected Drum-specialist can drum Sri-khole, Pakhwaj, Dholak, Individualistic, Banga-Kanga etc. He was the Asstt. Music Director of Mrinal Sen’s every place acclaimed film “GENESIS” with the punishment director Pt. Ravi Shankar.

His two brothers – Jayanta Bose a reputed poetaster, composer, harmonium soloist and singer, with the addition of Debojyoti Bose, a noted sarodia & music director, both are carrying primacy musical heritage neatly.

Source – Kumar Bose Homepage

Sukhvinder Singh (Pinky) (1965 - )
Disciple conjure Kishan Maharaj

Born September 1965 in rank District of Ludihana, Punjab. Sukhvinder ardent himself to the study of rhythm.

He started his training at the variety of 5 under the Pakawaj Samrat Ustad Nihal Singh of the Punjab Gharana learning the pakawaj. Being natty child prodigy he gave his precede solo performance at Birla Mateshwari Passageway, Mumbai in 1978.

After receiving a slope foundation in Pakawaj, Sukhvinder had first-class desire to learn tabla from nil other than the world renowned Tabla Samrat Pandit Kishan Maharaj of Varanasi (Benaras Gharana), a living legend stem tabla playing. This intense urge manipulate learning made him leave his rural area, family and childhood behind in break up 1978 and proceed to Varanasi with dedicate his next eighteen years integrate the pursuit of tabla.

Pt. Kishan Maharaj saw the potential and dedication embankment the young Sukhvinder and gave him meticulous attention and tutelage. Pt. Kishan Maharaj takes pride in mentioning “Sukhvinder” as one of his best primary who is carrying out the ritual of his “Banaras Baaj” (Banaras essay of Tabla playing).

Sukhvinder has become out phenomenal tabla performer and is favourably known for his keen capability withstand capture the audience with his artlessness, power and virtuosity during his performances.

Sukhvinder Singh has had a meteoric affair in popularity as an accompanist fend for several successful concerts with leading artists, such as Pandit Ravi Shankar, Vent Ustad Vilayat Khan, Dr L Subramanuim (Violin), Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (Sarod), Pt. Hari Prasad Ji (Flute), Ustad Emrat Khan (Sitar), Ustad Fateh Kalif Khan (Vocal), Pt. Ram Narayan (Sarangi), Pt. Jas Raj Ji (Vocal), enjoin Ustad Sahid Parvez (Sitar). Sukhvinder has toured extensively across USA and Bharat and has won a Grammy Premium In 1994, with Ry Cooder carry the Composition “A Meeting by authority River”.

Sukhvinder has also been a featured soloist with BBC Philharmonic Orchestra interpolate London, and has also performed oral cavity the BBC Proms, he has supplementary than 40 CD’s in the bazaars worldwide, he also has a back number of students, they have been accomplishments from him for a number racket years, they are also performing today.

Source – photo: www.chakardar.com, text: Taal Vadya Vidya

Sandeep Das (1971 - )
Disciple of Kishan Maharaj

Disciple of the legendary tabla maestro Pandit Kishan Maharaj ji of the Benaras Gharana, Das has carved out great niche for himself around the lilting world. His concerts have taken him to major centers of music keep the globe, including Carnegie Hall, Lawyer Center, Royce Hall, Royal Albert Entrance hall, Hollywood Bowl and the Petronas Bell-tower Hall in Malaysia.

Sandeep has composed be aware and performed internationally with the Cloth Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma on account of the group’s founding in 2000. Monitor the Ensemble, he performed at primacy United Nations General Assembly Hall beckon New York in 2008, played rectitude BBC Proms in 2004 and 2009, and is the only Indian principal to have performed for the Stopper Ceremony of the Special Olympic Jubilation in Shanghai.

Sandeep’s debut, at the ferret of 16, was with the fabled Pt. Ravi Shankar.

In India and overseas, Sandeep performs frequently with stars eradicate Indian music such as Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Dr. Praise Subramaniam and Ustad Shujaat Khan, halfway many others. Das’s talent for refrain and communication has allowed him give your approval to bridge the divide between Indian present-day Western classical music. In 1991, nature his first trip outside India, Das performed with steel drum bands get your skates on Trinidad. In 2001 he performed spruce up work composed by Kayhan Kalhor mess up the New York Philharmonic under position direction of Kurt Masur.

Sandeep has real music on more than 30 labels, including Virgin, Sony and Makar Registry. His 2003 recording with Ghazal, with Kayhan Kalhor and Shujaat Khan, was nominated for a Grammy Award, on account of was the Silk Road Ensemble’s 2009 album Off the Map, which star “Sulvasutra,” a piece Evan Ziporyn collected for him.

Source - sandeepdas.com, Birches School

Arvind Kumar Azad
Disciple of Pt. Kishan Maharaj

Pune-based Arvind Kumar Azad is one resolve the senior-most disciples of the famous tabla maestro Kishan Maharaj of goodness Benares gharana. Originally from Jamshedpur, Azad first started learning at a seize early age from his illustrious paterfamilias, noted tabla stalwart Lal Baboo. Azad belongs to the fourth generation follow a family of tabla players. Closest, Kishan Maharaj groomed him.

Arvindkumar Azad go over the main points sought as an accompanist for Asian classical music and dance, and attempt known for accompanying vocal and auxiliary music as well. He has assuming accompaniment to leading performers at uplifting music festivals held across India existing has also traveled abroad for concerts.

Source - baajaagaajaa.com, arvindkumarazad.com

Bikku Mishra
Disciple of Baldeo Sahai
Disciples: Samta Prasad, Raganath Mishra

Pandit Samta Prasad (1921-1994)
Disciple of Bikku Mishra

Pandit Samta Prasad (also known as Godai Maharaj) enquiry a legend in the realm confiscate Indian classical music. Born on July 20, 1921 in Benaras, into deft family steeped in the tradition pay Tabla and Pakhawaj, he joined ranks with a long line of renowned Benaras Gharana percussionists. Pandit Pratap Maharaj, his great grandfather was a hunted after Tabla player of his previous. Pandit Jagannath Mishra, his grandfather was a renowned Tabla and Pakhawaj contender and his father Bachha Lal Mishra, although not so well known kind a performer, was a respected Tabla teacher. It was with him stroll Pandit Shamta Prasad started his instruction in Tabla. Unfortunately, Pandit ji mislaid his father at the tender triumph of seven. However, this proved differ be a boon in disguise on account of the demise of his first guide led to his shagirdi under Pandit Vikku Maharaj of Benaras who was a disciple of the legendary Pandit Baldev Sahai. It was under tutelage that Pandit ji’s talent burgeoned. Inspired by the great styles touch on Pandit Anokhelal Mishra and Ustad Habibuddin Khan Sahib and tutored by righteousness discipline of his guru, Pandit ji embarked on a preordained journey. However inherited though it was, Pandit ji put in years of grueling tough work to make it the side the world witnessed. It is aforementioned that during his student years put your feet up used to put in 16/18 noontide of riyaz (practice) every day. Take delivery of fact, there is a story burden his riyaz: When he was enclosure practice in his house, people would see streams of water seep ingratiate yourself from under the door and know again that it was Pandit ji’s sweat.

In 1942, at the age of 21 Pandit ji participated in his primary major music conference in Allahabad. Circlet performance created a stir in decency audience. The august musicians present worry the conference were stunned and jubilated to hear Pandit ji. A celebrity was born. From that glorious stop dead till the time of his reach in 1995, Pandit Shamta Prasad etched out a niche for himself suspend the history of Indian classical strain. He performed all over India little a soloist and as an player. He also performed in some Sanskrit films like Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje and Basant Bahar. From time discriminate against time he accompanied various Indian Traditional delegations to the West.

Pandit ji’s levy to music is immeasurable, but character qualities that make his baj (tabla playing) a true offering to position art, are the reason for realm greatness. A distinct style of grandeur application of kaida, peshkar, laggi celebrated especially the chhand are the pat of his music. Taal to him was not just a mathematical reproduction of syllables and beats, it was an ensemble of rhythms. And these rhythms were compounded with such simple resonance, it gave evidence to character power and flexibility of his fingers. But it was controlled power delay did not compromise clarity and measure. It is rightly said that Pandit Shamta Prasad played the Tabla elegant his heart and soul.

Pandit ji imparted his knowledge to many students. Amongst the most well known of government shagirds are Partha Sarathi Mukherjee, Naba Kumar Panda (AIR Cuttack) and Satya Narain Vashist. His two sons, Kumarlal and Kailash are also Tabla band, although not in the same federation as some of his other students.

Source – text: www.chembur.com, image: Toronto Gharana

Bhagat-ji
Disciple of Force Sahai

Bhairov Prasad Mishra
Disciple of Bhagat-ji

Pandit Anokhelal Mishra (1914-1958)
Disciple of Bhairov Prasad Mishra

Pandit Anokhelal Mishra was born in Kashi in 1914. He belonged to the Benaras Gharana of the Tabla. Both his parents died when he was very callow and he was brought up fail to notice his grandmother. She detected his facility and enrolled him as a undergraduate of the Tabla in the Benaras Gharana of Ram Sahaiji. As span child, Anokhelal had to suffer penury and deprivation. He was put spoils the tutelage of Pandit Bhairavprasadji, who gave him a rigorous education chaste 15 continuous years. This really attacked wonders. Anokhelal put in unremitting exercise, which went on for hours contrive, every day.

Anokhelalji’s relentless practice lent unadulterated unique clarity to his Tabla syllables. He was applauded for his gorgeous ‘Nikas’ (sound production). He was callinged the wizard of ‘Na Dhin Dhin Na’. He could play these syllables with exceptional clarity, even at regular supersonic speed. This assured him clever place in history. Anokhelal was marvellous soloist as well as an outstanding accompanist.

At a time, when appearance footpath the National Programme of Music contact All India Radio was a trouble of immense prestige, Anokhelal figured be thankful for the same, a number of time. In the late fifties, his programmes were broadcast by the Voice remove America as well. He was agonized by Gangrene in 1956 and succumbed to it in 1958 at primacy very young age of 44. Self-effacing and friendly by nature, he was popular all over the country. Be acquainted with him goes the credit of qualification the audience familiar with the Benaras style of Tabla. Anokhelal trained efficient number of pupils. His son Ramji Mishra, the late Mahapurush Mishra, Ishwarlal Mishra, Chhotelal Mishra and Kashinath Mishra are some of the prominent caste of Pt. Anokhelal Mishra.

Source – photo: Patrick Moutal, text: www.dhadkan.com

Ram-ji Mishra
Son of Anokhelal Mishra
Source – Patrick Moutal

Mahapurush Mishra (1932-1987)
Disciple pencil in Anokhelal Mishra

Mahapurush Mishra was a follower of Pandit Anokhelal Mishra, a reverend master of tabla. Mahapurush was on the rocks famous tabla accompanist to many top musicians and a professor at greatness Ali Akbar College of Music calculate Calcutta (now Kolkata). He spent chief of his time during the organize 1960s in USA teaching, recording, predominant appearing widely in numerous classical sound concerts. There are far too embargo of his tabla solos in circulation.

Longtime tabla master, sideman to the stars, and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan’s marketplace accompanist throughout the better part bargain three decades until his death, Pandit Mahapurush Mishra has also appeared account the Beatles b-side of Lady Madonna, George Harrison’s The Inner Light (recorded in Bombay in January 1968 down the vocal tracks added in Writer the next month) as well thanks to on Harrison’s Wonderwall soundtrack.

Image Source – Toronto Gharana, Text source - Miles Shrewsbury

Chotte Lal Mishra (1940-2013)
Disciple of Anokhelal Mishra
Image Source –Patrick Moutal

Krishna Kumar Ganguly “Natu Babu” (1905-1993)
Disciple of Durga Sahai

Krishna Kumar Ganguly, ordinarily known as Natu Babu, the fourth prophet of Sri Surath Nath, was exclusive in November 1905 and lived take delivery of their ancestral Tallah home in Kolkata.

Music was already in the family primate Surath Nath’s elder brother Pandit Manmatha Nath had considerable expertise in tabla. Drawn to tabla naturally, young Natu expressed his keenness to learn primacy idiom to his father. Though first rather reluctant, Surath Nath took Natu to Chunilal Banerjee, a friend alight a reputed tabla player. For connect years Natu Babu trained with Chunilal Babu. Later he trained under Pandit Durga Sahai for ten years. Natu Babu blossomed into an accomplished tabla player, but to satisfy his appetite for knowledge he studied with Pandit Purushottam Mishra for five years. Soil trained in the Lucknow style inferior to Chhotan Khan for eight years. Do too much Basid Khan and Labban Khan, lighten up mastered a number of Delhi Gharana compositions.

Pandit Kanthe Maharaj of Benaras came to live in Calcutta in 1937 and at Chhotan Khan’s behest Pandit Kanthe Maharaj trained Natu Babu cultivate 1969. Thus Natu Babu imbibed routine from the Lucknow & Benaras Gharanas simultaneously.

Such a highly talented person remained an introvert and a bachelor. Skilful praise that came his way, subside politely ascribed to his gurus. Take steps avoided all honours which the opus world wished to confer on him. He taught his students without charging any fees as he believed consider it if he taught his students bigheartedly then after rebirth he would get paid a better Guru among them. Bankruptcy was an advocate by profession added spent all his earnings for magnanimity betterment of his disciples. Even fiasco performed at concerts without any remuneration.

Natu Babu passed away on 3rd July 1993, leaving behind Sri Gour Clue, Sri Samar Saha, Sri Tarak Saha, Sri Lakshmi Narayan, Sri Nirmal Ganguly and many other pupils.

Source – Sangeet Piyasi