#21 – Aditya Kalyanpur (World-renowned Indian Tabla Maestro)

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#21 – Aditya Kalyanpur (World-renowned Indian Tabla Maestro) – Taking Indian Tabla across International boundaries

May 10, 2020

Aditya Kalyanpur

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In this episode, I’m talking to Aditya Kalyanpur who is a world-renowned Indian Tabla Maestro. He has trained under the Tabla Legends Ustad Allarakha Khan and Ustad Zakir Hussain. Since his first appearance in the Wah Taj! ad in the 90s where he played the Tabla along with Ustad Zakir Hussain, to now when he has become the Tabla Maestro and taken the Indian Tabla Classical Indian music art form across International boundaries. He’s played along with the Indian Legends like Shivkumar Sharma, Amjad Ali Khan, A.R. Rahman, Rahul Sharma and western legendary artists like Katy Perry, Herbie Hancock, Larry Coryell and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones to name a few. He also popularised the colourful Tablas. He’s wearing multiple hats at the moment, founder of 2 music institutes in the US and a non-profit in Mumbai India which helps out kids with Cancer.

In this conversation, we talked about his initial journey, his time with his Gurus, his creative process, how to perfect your craft and much more.

It was amazing to talk to Aditya jee and I hope you’ll love it too.

So without further adieu, please enjoy this conversation with Aditya Kalyanpur.

Links and references from the episode –

People mentioned –

Ustad Allarakha Khan
Ustad Zakir Hussain
Shivkumar Sharma
Amjad Ali Khan
A.R. Rahman
Rahul Sharma
Katy Perry
Herbie Hancock
Larry Coryell
Keith Richards
Prabha Atre – Classical Indian Vocalist
N Rajam – Indian Violinist
Bill Gates
Steve Jobs
Mark Zuckerberg
APJ Abdul Kalam – Former President of India – Aditya performed for him in 2006 in Florida, Mr Kalam gave him a signed copy of his book Wings of Fire.
Pramukh Swami Maharaj

Books mentioned –

App/Tools mentioned –

Interesting references –

Aditya’s Music Schools –
- New England School of Music based in Boston.
- Recently started Peshkaar Music Institute based in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Non-profit which Aditya founded in 2008 in Mumbai – Shyamal Music Foundation. SMF was created in honour of his mother’s memory who lost her own battle against cancer.
Aditya brought the concept of Colorful Tablas to life. It wasn’t there before.
You need to put your personal time in your daily schedule – your training, riyaz, your reading and even Netflix when you need a break from a certain activity.
This lockdown (due to COVID-19) is a time to think inwards. To introspect and work on oneself. We as human beings need to take a break. Do things which you were not able to do for years, because of the rat race.
Aditya name means – Lord of the sun
Aditya’s favourite Dish – Chicken Biryani
Aditya’s favourite Artists –
- Indian artists –
- Country Music –
  - Blake Shelton
  - Tim McGraw
- Jazz Music –
- One of the piece of music Himanshu mentioned where Aditya Collaborated with a flute artist – Raga Bhimapalasi – Gat in Rupak Tala

Quotes mentioned –

LA (Los Angles) is the melting pot of world cultures. It’s a place where everyone comes tother and nurture each other’s talents.
I think you remain a student of your instrument every day, the more sadhana, the more riyaz you put in, people slowly start recognising you and see how much training you have put into your craft. More than your brand image, your music or your craft should speak for yourself.
If you give love to Tabla, Tabla will love you back — Ustad Allarakha Khan
I firmly believe in quality over quantity, if you give your 100% to that one thing then if that thing would otherwise take 3 hours can be done probably in an hour. Focus is really important.
I’ve played with a variety of genres. Music is one, just the expression is different.

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