KISHEN MAHARAJ
1923 – 2008
It is shocking news to hear about
Kishen Bhai’s passing away. The last I met Kishen Bhai was when
he came to our Centre in Delhi and he gave a short, wonderful recital
with his grandson two years ago. We had some wonderful time talking
of old days and getting nostalgic.Though, with advanced age and ill
health, death is a certainty we all have to face, it is not unusual
for us to still hope and pray for some miracle to happen. We want this
for our near and dear ones and also for some outstanding great people.
Kishen Bhai was one such person and it is a tremendous grief for me
hearing that he just passed away.
He was a legend as a tabla player – the greatest exponent of the
Banaras style of playing.
We started our careers together in 1945 in Bombay, Poona, Calcutta and
many cities in India. He accompanied me almost in all of my recitals
in the country until 1950. We were told that many came not only to hear
us but also to see us together as they thought that we looked like a,
“Ram Lakshman Jodi” Apart from being a Master of Laya he
was a lion of a man, never frightened of any situation including any
physical threats.
He was a painter, sculptor, poet and a funster all in one. I have played
many memorable concerts with him later in the 50’s 60’s
70’s until the early 90’s in Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi, Varanasi,
London, etc just to name a few.
Being fair. well built and good looking, he was naturally a ladies man
also. I enjoyed playing with him especially Talas like Vilambit Teental,
Dhamar, Jhaphal, Roopak, Pancham - Sawari, etc.
I am glad that he has left a few good disciples to carry on his style
of playing. He was a dear friend of mine also. He was one of very few
of us left from the great tradition of Hindushani Classical music. I
pray for his soul to rest in peace and meet him when my time comes.
Ravi Shankar, May 6, 2008