GURGAON: There are six schools of tabla and maybe it's time to add a seventh. For, yet again, the students of 'Brahmanaad' (Gurgaon's very own tabla school) have excelled on foreign shores.
Prashant Kapoor, a visually-impaired tabla player, led the way with gold in the open category, in the 6th Global Cultural Olympiad of Performing Arts (COPA), which was held at the BCA Theatre in Colombo, Sri Lanka, from December 20 to 24.
Prashant was one of 10 boys and girls from Brahmanaad who came back with medals. To top it all, their guru, Sarthak Kumar, 36, was honoured for his wonderful contribution to the multi-rhythmed universe of the tabla.
Prashant, 28, lost his vision at age 17 but not his spirit. After turning 20, he was taken under the wing of Kumar, who groomed him into a special talent. At Colombo, the pupil did his master proud. "He played ektal for nine minutes, presenting traditional styles from different gharanas, and got a rousing reception. People were moved to tears - even the judges!" shared Kumar.
In the world of classical tabla, an ektal solo is very rare, beyond but the most accomplished of tabla players. And Prashant, a young man of few words, was not at all unnerved. "I was feeling good," he told TOI.
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