As a toddler, it was my favourite toy and today, it is my closest friend, companion, guide and everything that gives me a sense of identity, belonging and justifies my existence.
My journey in music began before I was even born! I say this with a sense of pride and gratitude at the same time because I am extremely fortunate to be born in a family which has produced some of the most historical figures in the field of Indian Classical music across the last few generations.
I am the seventh-generation musician in this family that includes legends like Pandit Pannalal Ghosh (the inventor of the Hindustani Bansuri - my grand-uncle), Pandit Nikhil Ghosh (Tabla Guru of the 20th century - my grandfather), my late uncle Pandit Dhruba Ghosh (Sarangi maestro) and of course my father and Guru, the iconic Tabla & Sitar maestro, Pandit Nayan Ghosh.
Now you may have already gauged the atmosphere at our home. It is always musically charged and anyone who is a part of this is ought to feel musically enriched. So was I!
I started showing strong signs of being rhythmically inclined since I was less than a year old and could show the FIRST beat of any rhythm cycle by gestures or by nodding my head. Gradually, my training process began in a very novel manner and I performed my first brief solo concert at the age of 2 and a half.
However, it was not before the age of 7 that I started performing and travelling actively with my father and later with several other artists. Ever since, this fascinating journey of learning every single day, be it on or off the stage, has been continuing.
2. How and when did you realise your passion for Indian Classical Music?
For any child born into a musical family, it is very natural to start showing musical signs or being musically gifted at a very early age but what is important is that the talent should be nurtured and mentored very carefully keeping various factors in mind.
2. How and when did you realise your passion for Indian Classical Music?
For any child born into a musical family, it is very natural to start showing musical signs or being musically gifted at a very early age but what is important is that the talent should be nurtured and mentored very carefully keeping various factors in mind.
In my case, I would just be left to myself with the Tabla and that was my most favourite thing to do. It turned into a passion only because I wanted to be like my father and emulate him in every way possible! I would watch each and every performance of his either by sitting on stage or by listening to recordings.
I would also listen to innumerable past and present masters of this art that gave me the inspiration to go deeper into this subject. Talking about my training with my father, not only did he give me all the ‘Taleem’ (the traditional word of training), but also ensured that I got the experience of performing on stage early.
This eventually helped me to overcome things like stage-fright, performance pressure and enhanced my ability to connect and adapt to different kinds of audiences, situations and a lot more. However, this entire process was not a conscious one on my part. I was just having the best time of my life and thank god, I still feel the same today!
3. Who is your favourite artist and why?
3. Who is your favourite artist and why?
When it comes to Indian Classical music, it is most definitely my father Pandit Nayan Ghosh.
Let me tell you, the reason for this is not just because he is my father or Guru. He is perhaps the only musician who has equal mastery and command over two diverse instruments, the Sitar and the Tabla and has been actively performing, teaching and propagating these two art forms internationally since more than 50 years now.
Sounds like a genius right? If we narrow down to his Tabla aspect, he is a treasure-house of thousands of rare compositions and works of great masters of the past and possesses an uncanny ability to execute all of this with sheer artistry, virtuosity, authenticity and grace.
Besides, his own compositions and concepts are a treat to the ears and something that will remain musically contemporary for many generations to come. All of these factors make him one of the greatest living musicians today who is loved, respected and revered by all!
At the same time, I must mention that I enjoy and learn something from every artist I listen to irrespective of genre, age, language etc.
4. Why did you choose Tabla as your musical instrument?
4. Why did you choose Tabla as your musical instrument?
As I said, it was my favourite thing to be with! As a toddler, it was my favourite toy and today, it is my closest friend, companion, guide and everything that gives me a sense of identity, belonging and justifies my existence. Hence, I never had a choice. Hahaha.
But if I have to tell you about the instrument, the Tabla is perhaps one of those few musical instruments in the world that can easily adapt to every possible form or genre of music. This is possible because of the vast musical and rhythmic scope that is inherent in its abstract language comprising of syllables and mnemonics that have no literary meaning but can portray any kind of human expression.
5. Is formal training required or can one train themselves purely on the basis of talent?
Of course! To achieve proficiency in any art, you need proper training and as for Indian Music, you have to find an ideal Guru and surrender to him/her.
5. Is formal training required or can one train themselves purely on the basis of talent?
Of course! To achieve proficiency in any art, you need proper training and as for Indian Music, you have to find an ideal Guru and surrender to him/her.
In music, the ‘Taleem’ or training never ends as there is always something new to learn every single day and traditionally, the Guru is kept on the same pedestal as God because an ideal Guru is the one who illuminates one’s life with knowledge and makes life meaningful.
6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists?
6. What piece of advice would you like to give to future and aspiring artists?
If you are passionate about any form of art, follow your passion, go to a Guru who can show you the way forward, take the best possible training and put in you 100% when it comes to practice and hard work. If you are true to yourself, your Guru and most importantly your art, then there is nothing that can stop you from the success of any kind.
Here I must add, if you are an aspiring music student/musician, you must widen your listening appetite to the best extent possible. Today, we have the huge advantage of being able to access the music of so many maestros both of the past and of today because of Youtube and other platforms.
We must make the most of this facility and listen to as many artists, genres, instruments, styles etc and this will surely enrich our minds and souls!
7. Which is your favourite book and why?
Hahaha. To be very honest, I am not much into reading as of now though since just a few weeks I am trying to get into books and reading so I may be able to answer this question in the next interview session whenever that happens! All the best. Cheers!
- Ishaan Ghosh (Tabla Player)
Ishaan stands out as a front-ranking young Tabla player of India, having received intensive training from his father, the renowned Tabla and sitar maestro, Pandit Nayan Ghosh.
A child prodigy, over the years, he has carved a niche for himself as a full-fledged soloist as well as a co-artiste, having performed with stalwarts like Pt. Jasraj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pt. Nayan Ghosh, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, Kaushiki Chakraborty & Purbayan Chatterjee among several other Indian & international musicians.
Ishaan has regularly presented his music to audiences in India and the world over at prestigious venues and music festivals which have won him critical acclaim & rave reviews.
He was awarded with the ‘Baba Allauddin Khan Yuva Puraskar’ by the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh in 2012, the ‘Achievement Award’ by President Jimmy Carter in 2016, the ‘Rising Star Award’ in 2019 and the ‘Kalashree Samman’ from Govt. of Maharashtra in 2020.
Official website: www.ishaanghosh.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ishaanghoshofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ishaanghosh/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ishaanghoshofficial
Interviewed By Tuhina Rana
7. Which is your favourite book and why?
Hahaha. To be very honest, I am not much into reading as of now though since just a few weeks I am trying to get into books and reading so I may be able to answer this question in the next interview session whenever that happens! All the best. Cheers!
- Ishaan Ghosh (Tabla Player)
A child prodigy, over the years, he has carved a niche for himself as a full-fledged soloist as well as a co-artiste, having performed with stalwarts like Pt. Jasraj, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pt. Nayan Ghosh, Pt. Ajoy Chakraborty, Kaushiki Chakraborty & Purbayan Chatterjee among several other Indian & international musicians.
Ishaan has regularly presented his music to audiences in India and the world over at prestigious venues and music festivals which have won him critical acclaim & rave reviews.
He was awarded with the ‘Baba Allauddin Khan Yuva Puraskar’ by the Govt. of Madhya Pradesh in 2012, the ‘Achievement Award’ by President Jimmy Carter in 2016, the ‘Rising Star Award’ in 2019 and the ‘Kalashree Samman’ from Govt. of Maharashtra in 2020.
Official website: www.ishaanghosh.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ishaanghoshofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ishaanghosh/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ishaanghoshofficial
Interviewed By Tuhina Rana
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