Aditya Kalyanpur

“Even a young player like, say, Aditya Kalyanpur has the ability to approach the instrument with much more expertise than someone of his age would do 30 years ago.” Ustad Zakir Hussain. These are the acknowledging words of the Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain for his young, talented, upcoming student Aditya Kalyanpur. Groomed under the vigilance of late Ustad Allarakha and Ustad Zakir Hussain from the age of five, Aditya is considered as one of the most promising torchbearers of the Punjab Gharana.At a young age he has lived up to the reputation of his teachers, mastering the intricacies of the Tabla to smoothly accommodate himself to the requirements of the main artist. His style consists of bold and clear execution of syllables, pinpoint precision in rhythm coupled with a colossal repertoire of compositions and improvisational techniques, making his concerts a sheer joy.Honored with the title of ‘Taal – Mani’, he is the recipient of I.T.C’s prestigious “Vidyasagar Award” as well as the “Sangeet Visharad”. A commerce graduate, Aditya has achieved distinction grades in a Diploma in music from the Mumbai University. He has also received scholarship from the Centre For The Cultural Resources and Training, New Delhi; the National Scholarship for advance training instituted by the Government of India. He has also won the Pandit Jasraj competition held in Mumbai and New York. Aditya was first seen with his Guru Ustad Zakir Hussain for the famous “Wah Taj!” commercial. Since them he has lent the enchanting music of his tabla to numerous commercials and has also performed with Louis Banks. We hear his tabla ringing in the background of the film “Everybody Says I am Fine” where Zakirji composed the background score.Having the honor of being an “A” Grade artist of the All India Radio, he has given public performances along with his Guru Ustad Zakir Hussain and also as a soloist and accompanist at various prestigious music festivals in India and abroad including the Edinburgh festival in Scotland (2003), the Earagal Arts Festival in Ireland, Orient Arts Festival (Estonia) and the Jazz Yatra (Bombay).Tabla is a very important accompanying instrument in the Indian Classical scenario, and thus it is essential for the main artist and the accompanying tabla player to vibe well on stage in order to reach the audience at large. As a young tabla player Aditya has had the honor of accompanying great maestros of music such as Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Dr. Prabha Atre, Dr. Mrs N Rajam, Ustad Shamim Ahmed Khan, Ustad Sultan Khan, Ustad Shahid Parvez, Pandit VishwaMohan Bhat, Pandit Satish Vyas, Ustad Shujaat Khan, Pandit Nayan Ghosh as well as Kathak dancers such as Shama Bhate, Sunaiyana Hazarilal, Late Madhurita Sarang, and many Carnatic musicians, Jazz musicians and other international artists. Aditya has performed solo for the ‘ Rolling Stones’ and also recorded for their Saxophonist ‘Tim Ries’.Currently based in Boston, Aditya is carving a niche for himself on the international circuit, giving numerous solo performances as well as accompanying artist in the States. He also has the honor of being a Tabla Faculty at the prestigious Raganjali School of Music, Boston and Harvard University’s Sangeet Music school.Having age by his side Aditya has turned miles into milestones. “The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep