Rhythms of the Soul – Taranath Rao Acknowledged as one of the nation’s premier percussionists, Pandit Taranath Rao is also a distinguished composer and scholar who has been imparting theoretical and practical education in the Indian musical tradition at Los Angeles for over 12 years now. MOHAN NADKARNI profiles the versatile artist who turns 76 this week. The profundity of his knowledge in the intricacies...
Rhythms of the Heart – Alla Rakha It has been 30 years since Ustad Alla Rakha stepped on the stage for a solo tabla performance. Thirty years in which he has not only successfully communicated the fire and ecstasy of his performances to audiences around the world but has also provided a new dimension to the art of playing the tabla. MOHAN NADKARNI profiles the...
The Quintessential Maverick Manikbuva Thakurdas remains the quintessential maverick of Hindustani classical music. Manikbuva admits that he has been swimming against the current. He is aware that his is a cry in the wilderness. But he is unrelenting. MOHAN NADKARNI The Illustrated Weekly of India, July 7, 1988 “Our classical music is intellectural first and emotional next.” He intones. “The concept of Rasanishpatti (evocation...
In the shadows – G N Joshi In these days of high-voltage publicity, it is rare that a musical celebrity is denied his due in the hall of fame. That, too, when he had played an undeniably crucial part in the development of the music industry. MOHAN NADKARNI profiles G. N. Joshi, a classicist with a difference. The Illustrated Weekly of India, July 26, 1987...
In Search of Excellence MOHAN NADKARNI, The Illustrated Weekly of India February 8, 1987 Virtuoso Zia Mohiuddin Dagar has devoted his life to keeping alive the ancient instrumental tradition. It is, therefore, only fitting that the Ustad has had conferred on him the prestigious Kalidas Samman for Indian music. Instituted by the Madhya Pradesh government, to be awarded this week, it is the highest...
Ethereal Rhapsody Though she is one of the key figures in the pantheon of contemporary Hindustani music, Gangubai Hangal has still not received the kind of attention that some of her contemporaries like Bhimsen Joshi or Mallikarjun Mansur have. MOHAN NADKARNI profiles this unusual artiste and her powerful music. Illustrated Weekly of India, October 25, 1987 Music cannot be performed without feeling. Your flaws and mistakes...