Solo performance on tabla leaves audience mesmerised

SD Sharma

Chandigarh, March 15

The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) in collaboration with the Department of Music, Panjab University, Chandigarh,  organised a ‘tabla solo’ performance by Dr Mahendra Prasad Sharma under its Horizon Series programme at the open air theatre at the department’s complex  here today.

Dr  Sharma,  the foremost disciple of Late Pandit  Chhote Lal, a well-known tabla maestro of the Banaras Gharana, holds a doctorate in music from Panjab University.He has authored  two books on percussion  and performed at many music festivals. As a graded  artiste of the All India Radio and ICCR, Dr Prasad has  the distinction of working  as a tabla teacher-cum-performer at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Cultural Co-operation, High Commission of India,  Port of Spain, Trinidad and  Tobago, on deputation from the Panjab University, Chandigarh, through the ICCR, Ministry of  External Affairs, New Delhi. He performs tabla solo as well as tabla accompanist with renowned vocalists and instrumentalists in the country and abroad. He  has given several performances at various important national music  festivals across the country.

Accompanied by young Rajesh Kumar on Sarangi,  he opened the recital  with  the customary ‘urthaan’  followed by  ‘Peshakar, baant ka rela’ and Benaras ghrana ‘baant’ besides ‘kayade’ and various types of compositions  (gats) like ‘tipalli’, ‘chaupalli’, ‘farmaishi’ and ‘chakardhar parans’, ‘mohra’ and many more embellishments. Prasad  concluded the recital with a sawal-jawab session on tabla and sarangi. Later, Dr Neera Grover, an eminent classical vocalist, who was the chief guest, honoured the artistes.