BY DEVIKA C. MEHTA
LOS ANGELES, CA – Abhiman Kaushal made SoCal Indian-Americans proud by being part of a Grammy winning SoCal music team in the New Age Music category. India Journal caught up with him soon after the win for an exclusive interview. Kaushal sharing his happiness and elation with IJ said- “I am so happy and honored to be...
LOS ANGELES, CA – Abhiman Kaushal made SoCal Indian-Americans proud by being part of a Grammy winning SoCal music team in the New Age Music category. India Journal caught up with him soon after the win for an exclusive interview. Kaushal sharing his happiness and elation with IJ said- “I am so happy and honored to be...
a part of the White Sun family,” while talking about the album in which his tabla talents are showcased. He added, “The White Sun is a beautiful blend of mystical Gurmukhi verse fused with modern violin, tabla and silken vocals by Gurujas.”
Sharing his tale of meeting Gurujas, a devout Kundalini Yoga practitioner, Kaushal adds, “ three years back I met her and gelled with her instantly. It was so natural for me to play for her.”
The tabla player, who acts as the featured percussionist in the album, also believes that this is the age for collaborative efforts in music. “Instruments in Indian music are now no longer confined to classical concert arenas instead they have magnificently branched out onto the world stage.” Kaushal represents the Farukkabad and Lucknow styles of table.
Every person has a story to tell, so does he have one, too?’- on the question, the tabla maestro replies, “My journey was initiated by my father R.B. Kaushal, who was a disciple of the legendary Ustad Amir Hussain Khan. Later, I continued my training under the famous Ustad Sheikh Dawood of Hyderabad, and the Ustad’s senior most disciple, Pandit B. Nandkumar.” “My life is a blessing, but I am no prodigy. I was just fortunate enough to be molded by gifted ‘gurus’. Till date, my most prized possessions include all compositions taught by my teachers,” he further adds.
Giving details about his upcoming tours, he says, “There are several concerts lined up, one especially with Ustad Shujaat Khan at the Taiwan International Festival of Arts on April 8. I am also looking forward to summer performances.
About his interest in Bollywood, the tabla player calls it a tiring and completely different trajectory. He wants to pursue a career in classical tabla but not commercialize his art. “My dream is to reach the divine with the sounds of tabla,” he hopes.
For his fans and followers, he has an important message, “If someone wants to pursue the art of tabla, one needs to find a dedicated teacher first, only then they can soar high in the sky.” Rejecting the common notion that girls cannot play tabla, he further points out that majority of his students at Herb Alpert School of Music, UCLA are girls.
Discussing about his personal life, he states, “My father, mother and brother live with me here but my wife is in Taiwan. In my free time I love to do rigorous workouts as it is a necessary part of my existence and listen to good music whenever alone.”
The outstanding tabla artist also misses India and its food; he undoubtedly names Hyderabadi Biryani as his favorite dish.
Kaushal’s family is also basking in the glory of his success. His brother Adarsh is ecstatic about the win and calls him a ‘shining star that has brought laurels to India and happiness to the entire family.’
Sharing his tale of meeting Gurujas, a devout Kundalini Yoga practitioner, Kaushal adds, “ three years back I met her and gelled with her instantly. It was so natural for me to play for her.”
The tabla player, who acts as the featured percussionist in the album, also believes that this is the age for collaborative efforts in music. “Instruments in Indian music are now no longer confined to classical concert arenas instead they have magnificently branched out onto the world stage.” Kaushal represents the Farukkabad and Lucknow styles of table.
Every person has a story to tell, so does he have one, too?’- on the question, the tabla maestro replies, “My journey was initiated by my father R.B. Kaushal, who was a disciple of the legendary Ustad Amir Hussain Khan. Later, I continued my training under the famous Ustad Sheikh Dawood of Hyderabad, and the Ustad’s senior most disciple, Pandit B. Nandkumar.” “My life is a blessing, but I am no prodigy. I was just fortunate enough to be molded by gifted ‘gurus’. Till date, my most prized possessions include all compositions taught by my teachers,” he further adds.
Giving details about his upcoming tours, he says, “There are several concerts lined up, one especially with Ustad Shujaat Khan at the Taiwan International Festival of Arts on April 8. I am also looking forward to summer performances.
About his interest in Bollywood, the tabla player calls it a tiring and completely different trajectory. He wants to pursue a career in classical tabla but not commercialize his art. “My dream is to reach the divine with the sounds of tabla,” he hopes.
For his fans and followers, he has an important message, “If someone wants to pursue the art of tabla, one needs to find a dedicated teacher first, only then they can soar high in the sky.” Rejecting the common notion that girls cannot play tabla, he further points out that majority of his students at Herb Alpert School of Music, UCLA are girls.
Discussing about his personal life, he states, “My father, mother and brother live with me here but my wife is in Taiwan. In my free time I love to do rigorous workouts as it is a necessary part of my existence and listen to good music whenever alone.”
The outstanding tabla artist also misses India and its food; he undoubtedly names Hyderabadi Biryani as his favorite dish.
Kaushal’s family is also basking in the glory of his success. His brother Adarsh is ecstatic about the win and calls him a ‘shining star that has brought laurels to India and happiness to the entire family.’
RSS Feed
