E-Paper
Earning fame with rhythmic beats of tabla
A NEW generation of artistes is gradually emerging in the city and the members of this generation are young, vibrant and are ready to promote the cultural identity of the Sangam city.
A NEW generation of artistes is gradually emerging in the city and the members of this generation are young, vibrant and are ready to promote the cultural identity of the Sangam city.
Puskar Bannerjee is one such name which has been added to this list. This young tabla player has succeeded in grabbing the first position in the State-level music competition organised by the UP Sangeet Natak Akademi recently. He will represent Allahabad zone in Lucknow in near future.
Puskar is a student of BA IInd year. Besides, he is a student in Sangitayini, an institute for music and dance, and he is learning tabla under the tutelage of famous tabla artiste Anoop Bannerjee.
It is also a matter of pride for the city that Puskar's father Kalyan Kumar Bannerjee is the sole sarod player in the city and Puskar has taken on to an altogether different musical instrument.
"My inclination towards tabla started when I heard late Pradeep Mukherjee playing the instrument. The rhythmic beats attracted me and I started learning under his able guidance. He was my first guru," he said. Puskar has also won the second prize in All-India Major Ranjeet Singh Memorial Music Competition held in 1998-99. "Puskar has made us feel proud through his achievements and it will be an inspiration for other students of the institute," said Vijay Chandra, secretary of the institute.
"Tabla is the only instrument which can be used as an accompaniment during singing, dance and also solo and there is a lot of scope in it," said Puskar.
