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