One of the leading percussionists in the world, Bickram Ghosh has taken the tabla - an Indian classical instrument - out of its traditional realm, expanding its horizons through collaborations with musical stalwarts from the subcontinent and around the globe. This weekend, he brings a new, experimental act, complete with an electric sitar, to audiences in Dubai.
Why is the tabla your instrument of choice?
I grew up in a family where the tabla reigns. My father, Shankar Ghosh, is one of the great doyens of tabla and belonged to one of the first generations of musicians who made the instrument popular overseas. I strongly believe that the tabla is probably the most versatile drum in the world. Whenever people abroad hear it, they are floored. There was a French musician who used to perform with my father and when he heard the tabla for the first time, at the age of 45, he immediately began training to become a professional tabla player. That's the kind of strength this instrument has. The interesting thing is, most of the versions of the history of the tabla place its origins in the Middle East as a Persian drum. It used to be called the "tabl" and was very close to the current-day tabla.
How do you feel about performing here?
I enjoy playing in Dubai because the audience here is diverse and so appreciative. There's a hunger for good music, especially when it's this kind of experimental music with a fusion format, the excitement levels are quite high.
So fusion and experimental: is that what we should expect from this performance?
This time we bring a new act called "suffusion", based on Sufi music. Parvati Kumari, of our group, is a professionally trained Sufi singer.
Who are the other musicians in the "suffusion" team?
We have quite an eclectic mix of artists. We have a good drummer and a classical vocalist who will "interact" with Sufi vocals. I am on the tabla and there's a fantastic dholak player. We also have an electric sitar. The sitar is a traditional instrument but the electric one is a new avatar. There's quite an interesting mix of things in the show. It's not traditional Sufi or traditional anything. You have artists bringing new things to the table in their own style, using Sufi as a basis for the fusion, the sound is modern and yet it also has traditional aspects.
How has "suffusion" been received so far?
We have not done many shows - it is a new act, but whenever we have performed, people have loved it. The last place we performed it was in Delhi. This is the first time it is being taken outside India.
You have also composed music for Bollywood films. How does that fit in with your musical persona?
I do music for Hindi films and Bollywood, but my main priority remains the tabla and performing live. It is my job to popularise this instrument and make known its amazing possibilities.
artslife@thenational.ae
. Bickram Ghosh performs as part of Emirates NBD's second series of Indian classical music, which is at Centrepoint Theatre, Ductac, Mall of the Emirates, on November 8 from 8pm. Tickets from Dh100. Call 04 341 4777 for more information
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