INDIAN MUSIC FORUM ARCHIVES: Tabla Forum: Zakir Hussain or Swapan Chaudhri. . .who is the better ACCOMPANIEST??

Any opinions?:-)?

Cheers

Aanaddha

Like I said. . the term better is relative.
I just wanted people's opinions. As for the attention. . . . I don't come on to message boards looking for attention.1
Besides. . . there has been postings on who people would rank as the best Sitarists living today. When You reach the level of these artistes, its no so much about who is better and i realize that. I just wanted to see what people thought.
So relax

Cheers

Also it depends on what kind kind of mood you are in. Last thing, I think zakir play's more(time occupied by a tabla player in accompning) then sapanda usually takes. That might a factor.

But I agree both are great in their own world.

Just adding my 2 cents,
Rohit

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shawn122 (Nov 23, 2003 11:25 p.m.):
Hello to all tabla and ICM music lovers. I had a heated discussion.debate with another tabla player on who is the better accompaniest: Zakir Bhai or Swapan Ji?

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I think that the question is a bit silly. However, I have asked it also, so I cannot blame one for asking this question too. The last time I was with my teacher (Pt Samir Chatterjee), I asked him "Who is the world's greatest Tabla player." He casually pointed at me. I laughed and assumed he was joking, then I asked him "Who is YOUR favorite tabla player." He smiled and pointed at me again.

I realized the teaching here: When it comes to the beauty in music, it does not come from me you or any specific musician, it is divine beauty flowing from the heart. And what comes from the heart is not the province of one individual person, it is the divine source. If you could travel into your own heart, you would find the source from which all inspired music, poetry, philosophy, religious experience and great sex comes from! When it gets to the level of the heart, beauty from your heart is no better or worse than beauty from my heart, the heart of Zakir Hussain, or anyone else. Got the idea?

My own viewpoints on music have shifted radically in the past few years. I used to be terribly impressed with technical brilliance in music. In fact, the music which turned my entire life around was the album Shakti (Zakir Hussain, John McLaughlin, etc.) But I've come to a place where speed and technical ability is not really what moves me, but it is the love and devotion that a musician puts into what they are doing. All great musicians have that love and devotion, otherwise they wouldn't be great musicians.

For a great example of great music which has not much speed and technical dazzle, listen to the music of Hawaiian slack key guitarrist Keola Beamer. Keola could never keep up with John McLaughlin, but his music is the most moving and beautiful guitar music I've ever heard.

All the best,
Chris

Hopefully, tabla is first and foremost the result of each of our's passion.

And although I understand some of our friends' aversion to discussions over who is 'best', it is clear that Shawn's posting was indeed born out of this passion. We discuss politics, film, sports, etc. over coffee or at our friends homes. .if we can't discuss tabla there's something wrong!

That's the difference. Yes, to make an egotistical contest of superiority is silly. .but let's not confuse this with EMBRACING the differences between performers, arts, peoples, cultures, etc. which leads to peace.

As for who the best tabla player is, like Chris said, it must be ME. .after all, I spend most of my time listening to myself (no matter how pathetic)! : )

Cheers!

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aanaddha (Nov 24, 2003 04:59 p.m.):
These two esteemed artists have a higher appreciation for each other than any of us could ever have for either one. They are like brothers. To voice such a question is an insult to both.
Grow up.
Aanaddha

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Dear Mr. Annnaddha,
Just to clarify something. I had this discussion with a person who has attended Swapan Ji's workshops. He always contends that Swapan Ji is more versatile, technically sound. . . and he also said it is a recognized fact that Swapan Ji is a better tabla player.

I agree with your viepoint whole heartedly. The exact things you said are the exact things I told theis person. I did not mean to offend the honour of Swapan Ji or Zakir Ji.

Thanks for all the posts. I wholly agree that the music that stems from the heart is the best.
Sound is God, Music is worship

1. I do not believe that one is better than the other
2. I did not start this discussion because of some egotistical pride. I love Indian Classical Music. Not onl;y have I been playing tabla for 8 years, but I recently have started Vcal lessons (hindustani). I have a passion for Indian music.
3. I started this discussion because i was offended when this person I first had this debate with told me that it is a "recognized fact that Swapan is a better tabla player than Zakir ji". That is an exact quotation.
4. Mr.Annadha has taken offense to this discussion. That was not my intention. I have a great respect and adoration for EVERYONE that plays tabla. Whether it be Zakir or Swapan or my young nephews.

Thanks to everyone who posted a reply. I just wanted to engage in a discussion and here peoples opinions since I was upset over what I was told.

Thanks again

I think we should have Tabla Idol then the audience can vote for the best player each week until we have the nations favourite.

What you think, Good idea or what???

Aanaddha

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shawn122 (Nov 24, 2003 10:34 p.m.):
Hello. I am the one who started this discussion and I just want to adda few things

1. I do not believe that one is better than the other
2. I did not start this discussion because of some egotistical pride. I love Indian Classical Music. Not onl;y have I been playing tabla for 8 years, but I recently have started Vcal lessons (hindustani). I have a passion for Indian music.
3. I started this discussion because i was offended when this person I first had this debate with told me that it is a "recognized fact that Swapan is a better tabla player than Zakir ji". That is an exact quotation.
4. Mr.Annadha has taken offense to this discussion. That was not my intention. I have a great respect and adoration for EVERYONE that plays tabla. Whether it be Zakir or Swapan or my young nephews.

Thanks to everyone who posted a reply. I just wanted to engage in a discussion and here peoples opinions since I was upset over what I was told.

Thanks again

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Who was a "better" physicist - Newton or Einstein?
Who was a "better" mathematician - Fermat or Descartes?
etc. . etc. .

Very well said, Annandha. Truth be told he has already spoken ill of me.
Ah well. . . thats life.

Thanks to everyone for psoting their opinions.
As for the Einsten /Newton question. . . . .having taken a philosophy of physics course. . . the debate is still ongoing. half my class believe Newton was better since he expalined how things work in THIS world, the other half believe Einstein's theory hold more weight because he explained how things worked in the universe as a whole. . . .

so as Annadha says. . . form you own opinion.

Now I think its time for another topic.

Let's end it here before it turns ugly :-)