Attending the ITC-SRA symposium on 'Changing profile of Indian music', at NCPA, Mumbai (30-31st Jan 2016)

Thanks to Pandit Arvind Parikh (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arvind_Parikh), Soham got the opportunity to get exposed to a wonderful and intellectual facet of music, the ITC-SRA music symposium. This is a once-in-a-year symposium where maestros, performing artists, musicologists and connoisseurs get together to discuss, debate and brainstorm the present and future of music. The theme for 2016 was 'Changing profile of Indian music'.

It was a unique opportunity to hear maestros views and to interact with them on the changing landscapes in Indian Music. Soham was extremely delighted to meet his role models. He enjoyed the intense two days. Soham was delighted to meet Pandit Arvind Parikh (sitar maestro), Javed Akhtar Saab (the renowned lyricist),  Ustad Taufiq Qureshi (the renowned percussionist), Ronu Majumdar (flute maestro),  Anuradha Pal (Tabla maestro and student of Abbaji), Shri Satish Vyas (santoor maestro, student of Shiv ji), to name a few. Needless to say, his patience and interest was rewarded by a one-on-one interaction with Zakir bhai and a pair of Tabla from the maker of Zakir bhai's Tabla!

Here is a glimpse of the event.

with Javed Saab

Panel discussing Fusion music - Pandit Ronu Majumdar, R Srinivas, Shashi Vyas (Moderator), Taufiq Qureshi, Purbayan Chatterjee (LtoR)

with Anuradha Pal

with Ustaad Taufiq Qureshi

with Anuradha Pal and Shyam Sharma (her husband)

Concluding session - Ustad Zakir Hussain, Smt. Aruna Sairam, Pandit Arvind Parikh, Javed Akhtar, Pandit Shekhar Sen (SNA) (LtoR)

listening intently to Zakir bhai and Pandit Arvind Parikh

such a close encounter with the great Tabla maestro!

Soham gets rewarded with a pair of Tabla made by Haridas Vhatkar - one who makes the Tablas for Zakir bhai, Anindoo Chatterjee and many other maestros

Soham awarded National Scholarship in Tabla from CCRT, Ministry of Culture (GOI), 2014

Soham was awarded the National Scholarship in Hindustani Classical Music-Tabla by the Center for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT, http://ccrtindia.gov.in/aboutus.php) at the age of 10 in 2014.

The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) is one of the premier institutions working in the field of linking education with culture. Established in 1979, pioneered by Smt. Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay and Dr. Kapila Vatsyayan, it functions as an autonomous organization under the aegis of Ministry of Culture, Government of India. At the philosophical core of the CCRT lies a commitment to holistic education, encompassing the cognitive, emotional and spiritual development of children. To this end the CCRT conducts education grounded in cultural knowledge and understanding as conducive to clarity, creativity, independence of thought, tolerance and compassion.

 The Cultural Talent Search Scholarship Scheme aims at providing facilities to outstanding young children to develop their talents in various artistic fields. Children in the age group of 10 to 14 years studying either in recognized schools or belonging to families practicing traditional art forms are eligible for the scholarship.