Pandit Kumar Bose

Percussion Tabla

Pandit Kumar Bose

4 minute read

Pandit Kumar Bose is one of the modern world’s most exciting tabla players. He trained under legendary Benares maestro Pandit Kishan Maharaj, and embodies his guru’s blend of discipline and flamboyance. He rose to prominence as one of Pandit Ravi Shankar’s accompanists, and has performed with almost all of today’s leading Hindustani instrumentalists as well as working in dance and film.

His style is notoriously powerful, utilising the full range of the Benares gharana’s open-hand striking techniques. Particular awe is reserved for his control of the bayan (bass tabla) – he believes that “it acts like water, balances the angst with reposeful mood…Bayan’s meend plays a major role in scripting the language of love and peace.” His playing blends aggression with a lyrical approach – during a documentary a student asked him quickfire questions including ‘rhythm or melody’, and he instantly chose melody.

Bose also incorporates global ideas (“intriguing rhythmic patterns from all over the world – Arabian, Mexican and the like”), and few alive can hold a candle to his all-around rhythmic command. Outside of music he is an avid player of carrom (Indian chess) – his guru once gifted him a gold carrom set, saying “he is equally addicted to the game and the tabla”.

Kumar Bose, one of India’s most esteemed tabla maestros, has graced the Darbar Festival stage multiple times, including notable performances in 2006, 2009, 2014, and 2016. His performances are renowned for their precision, creativity, and emotional depth. Throughout his appearances at Darbar, Kumar Bose has captivated audiences with his exceptional skill and dedication to the art of tabla.

“As an accompanist it is my moral duty to give top priority to the main artiste. Playing solo is a different game…then I am a royal Bengal tiger!”

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Pandit Kumar Bose & Pandit Anindo Chatterjee | Kings of Tabla

Recorded at Darbar Festival on 11 Sep 2016, at London’s Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan Musicians: - Anindo Chatterjee (tabla) - Kumar Bose (tabla) - Dharamnath Mishra (harmonium) Two of the world’s most accomplished tabla players join forces for a one-off London concert, dueling over teental using ideas from many different gharanas. Learn more about the music: Anindo Chatterjee is one of the most accomplished tabla players of the modern age, known for breathtaking speed and extraordinary clarity of stroke. Aged five he became All India Radio's youngest performing artist, and soon after entered the gurukul to train under Jnan Prakash Ghosh. He studied with his guru for three decades, learning the intricate grammar of the Farrukhabad gharana before then branching out to others. His long career has included accompaniment slots with almost all top Hindustani artists, including a long association with Nikhil Banerjee. Today he plays a gharana-blending style that balances traditionalism with modern freedoms, building on the open-minded approach of his guru. Outside performance he is also a respected teacher, researcher, and tabla maker. Kumar Bose is one of the modern world’s most exciting percussionists. He trained under legendary Benares maestro Kishan Maharaj, and embodies his guru’s blend of discipline and flamboyance with forming a powerful style. He rose to prominence as Ravi Shankar’s accompanist, and has performed with almost all of today’s leading Hindustani instrumentalists as well as working in dance and film. Outside of music he is an avid player of carrom [Indian chess] - his guru once gifted him a gold carrom set, saying “he is equally addicted to the game and the tabla”. His style is notoriously powerful, utilising the full range of the Benares gharana’s open-hand striking techniques. Particular awe is reserved for his control of the bayan [bass tabla] - he believes that ‘it acts like water, balances the angst with reposeful mood...Bayan’s meend plays a major role in scripting the language of love and peace.” His playing balances aggression with a melodic approach - during a documentary a student asked him quickfire questions including ‘rhythm or melody’, and he instantly chose melody. Bose also incorporates global ideas (“intriguing rhythmic patterns from all over the world – Arabian, Mexican and the like”), and few alive can hold a candle to his all-around rhythmic command. Subscribe to the Darbar Player to access the full, uncut performance.