Known as the cultural capital of India, Kolkata is steeped in a literary heritage that has profoundly influenced its historical journey. The echoes of the 19th-century Bengal Renaissance, marked by personalities like Rabindranath Tagore, resonate through the city’s streets, symbolising an enduring legacy. Kolkata remains a lively centre for literary endeavours, evidenced by its celebrated festivals and ongoing contributions to southeast Asia’s literary landscape.
In the ongoing chapter of this literary saga, Kolkata hosts its 47th International Book Fair at Central Park, Salt Lake. This annual event serves as a meeting ground for global and regional literary voices, fostering cross-cultural exchanges. Simultaneously, the Kolkata Literary Meet at the iconic Victoria Memorial enhances intellectual vibrancy, providing a dynamic platform for discussions on literature. This coinciding of events underscores Kolkata’s unwavering commitment to nurturing literary ethos that transcends borders, creating a pivotal moment for avid readers both within and beyond the city.
On January 22, the Kolkata Book Fair saw the launch of Anaddha - The World of Tabla, a book by the late Shankar Ghosh, a distinguished Indian tabla player from the Farrukhabad gharana. Organised by the Pt. Shankar Ghosh Tabla Foundation and Birutjatio Sahitya Sammilani, it offered a sneak peek into the fascinating world of tabla.
Shankar Ghosh made a significant impact on solo and accompaniment tabla playing and his compositions have become integral to the contemporary tabla repertoire. His remarkable contributions earned him the prestigious 1999–2000 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest recognition from The National Academy of Music, Dance and Drama.
Hosted by Bickram Ghosh, son of Shankar Ghosh, the event showcased his expertise as an Indian classical tabla player. Bickram, known for performances with Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and Ravi Shankar was joined by Tanmoy Bose, who is also a percussionist, a tabla player and composer. Bose, a disciple of Shankar Ghosh, has collaborated with Anoushka Shankar and Amjad Ali Khan and co-founded ‘The Taal Tantra Experience’ in 2002.
Percussionist Bickram Ghosh with tabla exponent Tanmoy Bose; (right) Bickram with Sanatan Goswami
During their conversation, Bickram and Tanmoy fondly reminisced about their early tabla lessons from Shankar Ghosh, shedding light on his unique quirks and the warm-hearted nature that defined him. Sharing anecdotes from their youth, they painted a vivid picture of their guru, recalling moments when he displayed strict discipline and contrasting stories that showcased his genuine warmth and unwavering support.
Subhadrakalyan and Rjarshi Halder presented various taals and beats during the event, with harmonium accompaniment by Sanatan Goswami. The culmination of the evening featured a tabla recital, ‘Bir Bikram Taal’, presented by Bickram Ghosh, a composition by Shankar Ghosh, paying homage to the maestro.
Guests at the event
With luminaries of Kolkata’s Indian Classical Music scene, including Tejendra Majumdar, gracing the occasion, it was a fitting tribute to honour the invaluable contributions of the maestro’s legacy that continues to thrive in the hands of his dedicated disciples.
