Percussionist Pranshu Chatur Lal, at 23, has made a mark for himself in playing an ensemble of percussion instruments. Dipchand Bihari of Orissa POST spoke with the artiste at an event to pay tributes to his grandfather Pandit Chatur Lal. Excerpts:
How did your musical journey begin?
I used to be surrounded by music as a child. I watched my father teaching people. The ambience was filled with music and it attracted me right from the age of 4. I started learning tabla from my father.
But I was too young and could barely handle the instrument. My training started with bols, that is the vocal renditions of the rhythms. I would constantly train on these as it is easier to play once you have learned the bols well. Initially, it was hard to learn tabla but I am comfortable now and am taking our tradition forward.
Who were your gurus?
My father mentored me initially and later I was trained by Pandit Birju Maharaj. I learned solo tabla from my father and tabla sangat, particularly in Kathak, from Pandit Birju Maharaj.
What was your maiden recital like?
I was introduced to the stage at the age of 7 in New York. That being my first concert, everything was new and I didn’t know what to do. My guru told me you know what to play, just go ahead, and play it. When I received appreciation from audience I felt like a hero. My confidence increased gradually.
What gharana of tabla do you play?
My grandfather was of Delhi-Gharana (the oldest tabla gharana) and I follow him. Gharana is basically style of playing. In our gharana, we play with two fingers while tablists of the other gharanas use three fingers. I play compositions from other gharanas as well.
What would you be if you were not a musician?
I would be a pilot. When was a kid, I dreamt of becoming a pilot but then I came into music. Now I feel it is my responsibility to maintain similar dignity like my grandfather. I am proud to be a musician.
You are still very young. Are you likely to alter your future course?
No way. Music is in my blood. I will carry our tradition forward. The present generation is tending towards Western culture. So people like me are trying to preserve our culture. Being Indians, we must do it.