This is the Official site of NZ Tabla Association, founded by Professor Manjit Singh to spread the divinity of Indian Classical Music and to make people aware of one of the most wonderful and melodious percussion instruments, i.e., Tabla.
This website has everything that you might need to know about this association. You can even enjoy the pictures and videos of the latest events happening. Check out the contact column for more details and for contact information.
Last week, in a ceremony graced by Indian classical music luminaries ranging from Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma to Pt Hariprasad Chaurasia, tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain was crowned the guru of tabla's youngest gharana by the Ustad Alla Rakha Institute of Music.
Hussain was presented the traditional turban, safa, by his brothers Taufiq and Fazal Qureshi, and is now the apex authority on the Punjab gharana's style of tabla-playing. Speaking about the felicitation, Hussain says that he is "honoured and touched", and adds with a smile that he is also "very scared".
"I travel all over the world so I was worried how I would meet the requirements or needs of the students, but Fazal and Taufiq insisted, saying theyll help out too, so I agreed. They had said it will be a low-key affair, but they invited the whole city!" he laughs. The tabla legend says that the crowning is also a huge responsibility because while his father, Ustad Alla Rakha, was alive, he would personally be part of important moments in the lives of his students. He says, "My father would attend a students thread ceremony, or help him out if his mother wasnt well, or help him choose a school he would go to", Hussain says. "I won't be available for the students 24/7 like him, so Ill have to designate the work to my brothers."
But Hussain stresses that the conventional guru-shishya system has changed, and the teacher is more of a friend now than an authoritarian figure. "Because when a teacher is teaching, he's also studying", Hussain explains. "He's studying the methodology of the student, compiling information about how his student is picking it up, etc. In a sense, teaching is also studying, so its not necessarily right to call teachers 'gurus'. "
"Although technically I'm the guru, whenever I need help on something my father had taught us, I will give my brothers a call, and they can do the same."
For the same reason, Hussain humbly says that he doesn't feel that his students should follow his style of playing. "No master will tell his student that", Hussain says. "I ask my students to learn everything, but forget it all when they go on stage. Because on stage, its about the statement you make on your own. For the art to survive, its important that students find their own way rather than follow their guru. "
- Source: Hindustan Times, 3/8/10
Date: 10 Sept 2010
Time: 7.00pm to 9.30 pm
Venue: Auditorium 8, The Dream Centre, 8 Lakewood Ave, Manukau
Tickets: $15 (adult), $25 (couple), $40 (Family of 4)
For more Info, Contact Prof. Manjit Singh (Mob) 021 159 5971
(Home) 09 277 0042
Samuel Dass is a Malaysian based sitarist and disciple of Shahid Parvez.
Sam started playing Sitar at the tender age of 7. His first guru was his father, Mr. Jabamalai Dass, who drilled into him the basics of sitar playing. He then joined The Temple of Fine Arts Malaysia, where he learnt the finer nuances of this traditional art-form from Mr. Orme Maheswaran. At the same time he also sought the guidance of Giani Bachitar Singh, who inculcated in him the characteristics of the various Hindustani Raagas. He underwent training under the tutelage of Mr. Raj Kumar Sharma and Professor Haridev of Chandighar University under whom he was able to obtain the Sageeth Bushan which is equivalent to a senior diploma in music.
In 2002 Sam had the good fortune to study the finer intricacies of the sitar under the world renowned sitar maestro Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan in Pune, India. He was under Shahidji's guidance for 7 years and his talent was acknowledged by the maestro himself. He then formed the successful group Prana, which toured South East Asia extensively for 2 years and recorded a studio album
Recently silencing all critics, Samuel won seven gold world championships at the World Championships of Performing Arts in Los Angeles. Samuel was also the only Malaysian to perform in the finals.
The second edition of 'Naadbrahma' was highly successful. Prof. Diwakar introduced the audience on his Veena, accompanied by Raman Easwaran on Mridangam.
Next was a comprehensive Sarod performance by Satish Sharma, accompanied by Manjit Singh on Tabla. Prof. Manjit Singh and his students were next, charging up the audience with a powerful half hour Tabla solo.
After the break, the second part of the concert commenced, a Jugalbandi between the two main types of Indian Classical Music - Hindustani and Carnatic.
With Ashok Mallur (Violin) and Raman Easwaran (Mridangam) on one side, and Lester Silvester (Sitar) accompanied by Manjit Singh (Tabla) on the other, a magic rendition of Raga Kirwani was played before a Dhun, followed by the famous 'Pokarakare Ana' and a Sufi Song.
Left To Right: Raman Easwaran, Todd Nachowitz, Ashok Mallur, Lester Silvester, Daljeet Kaur, Manjit Singh
From Left to Right: Daljeet Kaur (Lehra), Gurpreet Singh, Vipul Dev
From Left to Right: Proffessor Manjit SIngh, Yash Vyas, Vinayak Dev
Professor Manjit Singh, his wife Daljeet Kaur and his daughter Rhythm with Ustad Fazal Qureshi
Proffessor Manjit Singh (Bottom Right) with his famous group 'Taalsadhna'
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