I play Tabla, a form of India drums. By style, I belong to the Benaras Gharana, one of the most prominent styles of Hindustani Classical Music. My training has been under my father Sri Banamali Das who is a very senior A-grade national artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan. My father received his early training in tabla from late Pandit Mahapurush Mishra, an eminent Tabla player of the Benaras Gharana, and later he became a disciple of late Pt. Sharda Sahai who was a direct descendant of Pt. Ram Sahai, the founder of the Benaras Gharana. Consequently, I inherited the excerpt of the grand training my father received from those two maestros. My training started at a very early age. During 1997-2007, I have won several state and national level prizes. In 2013, I became a "B-High" grade (the level just below A-grade) tabla artist of All India Radio. I have also been rewarded from time to time by chances to perform solo as well as accompaniment with vocal and instrumental artists before distinguished audiences. Today, even during a busy research career, I continue playing Tabla as one of the things very close to my heart.
Here are couple of videos to the mentioned maestros for everyone to enjoy!
Pt. Mahapursh Mishra with Pt. Nikhil Banerjee
A glimpse into a solo performance by Pt. Sharda Sahai with Ramesh Mishra on Sarangi