There is no such thing as "the best" with an art such as this. Sure, everyone may have their personal preferences, but there are so many great tabla players out there, each with their own style and musicality.
Indian classical music (or ANY music) is not just good or bad, black or white; it's not just about speed, technique, emotion, or intellect. It's a combination of many many many factors . . and the way all those factors reach you is what's important. BUT . . the same performance may affect different people in very different ways. It's way too subjective an art to apply specific ranks to performers.
Shawn is right. It's kind of like if I say what's your favorite food ? I think ice cream is best. I can't say that because our taste is going to change and there is so many different great foods out there tomorrow you might think something else is the best. Tabla players are the same way. But I agree that Anindo is one of the best , he's definately not meatloaf.
Shawn (Dec 22, 2002 11:16 p.m.):
There is no such thing as "the best" with an art such as this. Sure, everyone may have their personal preferences, but there are so many great tabla players out there, each with their own style and musicality.
Indian classical music (or ANY music) is not just good or bad, black or white; it's not just about speed, technique, emotion, or intellect. It's a combination of many many many factors . . and the way all those factors reach you is what's important. BUT . . the same performance may affect different people in very different ways. It's way too subjective an art to apply specific ranks to performers.
In my opinion greatest player alive and one of the greatest players and teachers ever is without a doubt Pandit Shankar Ghosh. He is thorough in His theme variation playing. He plays in His cd, where He plays tabla solo in Nasrook and Teentaal, variations for kaidas, relas or laggis each for about 5-6 minutes almost every time. He has great ideas and He maximises the art of theme and variations. He doesn't show off. His technic is superb and His performance reflects the knowledge, respect of tabla and yet He is able to add His own spirit and own compositions to it. He is unbelievable.
Ustads Thirakwa and Nizamuddin are SUPER! Great ideas, spontanity, technic and own voice. Just captivating! Buy Nizamuddin's video from Digitala or from Khazana! Thirakwa has Drums of India and Live in Bombay 1964 cds!
even this is extremelly dificult to answer for true tabla lovers!!
But my favourite style has to be the Banaras baj.
I would say that my favourite players are: Pt Kumar Bose and Samta Prasad for their dramatic style, Sharda-jee and Kisha Maharaj for their softness and amazing Uthans(and lots more), Thirakwa for his (everything basically +) clarity. . .this is a tough question!!!!! I must stop here!!
baraka (Dec 24, 2002 01:50 p.m.):
Let me rephrase my question. In your Opinion, who is your favorite tabla player with regards to tabla solo and why.
Ah hah! Jake last time your favorite was Swapan da.
Are you having a change of heart?
By the way I will spill the beans and say that Zakir is my favorite. Why? not because he is necesarily the best and I do really enjoy hanging out with Anindo. But Zakir is a blast, he's great to hang out with , he's funny , very witty , totally laid back. I know it's sounds corny but he's just cool man.
Anyway they are both coming to Austin in 2003!
Jake (Dec 24, 2002 02:10 p.m.):
In my opinion greatest player alive and one of the greatest players and teachers ever is without a doubt Pandit Shankar Ghosh. He is thorough in His theme variation playing. He plays in His cd, where He plays tabla solo in Nasrook and Teentaal, variations for kaidas, relas or laggis each for about 5-6 minutes almost every time. He has great ideas and He maximises the art of theme and variations. He doesn't show off. His technic is superb and His performance reflects the knowledge, respect of tabla and yet He is able to add His own spirit and own compositions to it. He is unbelievable.
Ustads Thirakwa and Nizamuddin are SUPER! Great ideas, spontanity, technic and own voice. Just captivating! Buy Nizamuddin's video from Digitala or from Khazana! Thirakwa has Drums of India and Live in Bombay 1964 cds!
How about setting up a jugalbandi with Zakir and Anindo. Do you ever think that would happen. My guess is probably not but it would be AWESOME if someone could do it!
That would be awesome but those sort of things probably only happen in India. I have heard stories, there are several types of special occasions that happened honoring different gurus where all these amazing players get together.
And what would be interesting is getting some of those recordings. I have that one recording of Satyigit Talwalker when he played for one of those and it is truly awesome, one hour peshkar plus since there playing for other tabla masters those performances are probably in a class of their own.
By the way a friend of mine is a student of the Talwalker line and what I have heard of the Talwalker stuff it's another totally fantastic and unique style of playing.
Man there were and still are so many great players.
baraka (Dec 24, 2002 03:04 p.m.):
Warren ,
How about setting up a jugalbandi with Zakir and Anindo. Do you ever think that would happen. My guess is probably not but it would be AWESOME if someone could do it!
Good observation Warren! I am in a Shankar Ghosh phase, because He made me see new aspects in theme and variation. He is well beyond "basic" variations. He lifts theme and variation pieces to another level, with His special approach. Swapan is also great, no doubt about it!!
It's great that there are a lot of great players to choose from. All masters have a lot of good stuff, but some masters are able to captivate you totally with their approach!
Swapan is still at the top of my list, with Thirakwa, Nizamuddin and Shankar Ghosh. There are also some other favourites of mine like Sarda Sahai, Kishen Maharaj. .
