Accompanying musicians for Gauri Sharma Tripathi's performance - 20th and 21st May 2005
Padma
Sharma –
Padhant (Recitation)
The spoken
word is the soul of any performance, as is the guidance and the spirit of
the Guru. Trained with the doyens of the Kathak traditions like Lacchu Maharaj,
Shambhu Maharaj and Mohan Rao Kalyanpurkar, Padma Sharma absorbed the essence
of Kathak dance in the gharana tradition. With a number of dance productions
and performances, she has constantly been an umbrella to various dance organizations,
examination boards and younger artists. She is one of the first Ph.d. holders
in Kathak dance from Bhatkhande university. A performer in her own right,
her choreography has ranged from stage to the Cinema screen.
Partha Sarathi Mukherjee –
Tabla
Partha Sarathy began playing tabla at the age of four under the able guidance
of his father Shri Ashok Kumar Mukherjee. He soon became a disciple of India's
foremost tabla maestro, Padmabhusan Pandit Samta Prasadji of Benaras Gharana.
Partha Sarathi has been acknowledged as one of Panditji's leading disciples
for his complementary accompaniment, elegant clarity and laya accuracy. He is
currently based in England where he is a popular performer and teacher. Parthaji
has performed concerts and conducted percussion workshops at the Sitar School
of Toronto.
Faheem Mazahar – Vocal (Chant)
Faheem has been trained under the tutelage of Ustad G.A Farooq Ustad Pervez
Paras, and Ustad Chote Ghulam Ali Khan. He has worked for Pakistan Television
and Radio Pakistan as a classical singer and composer. He has most recently
worked with Nahid Siddiqui and Company, Akram Khan and Company, The Royal Ballet
and for films and documentaries. He is currently teaching at Birmingham Conservatoire
(U.C.E). A gifted artist who brings his heritage and sensibilities to any performance.
Baluji
Shrivastav – Sitar
Born in the village of Usmanpur in Uttar Pradesh, India, it was at Ajmer school
that he began his study of music. Baluji became professor of music in Agra,
when he was invited to teach in France. Since then he has performed throughout
the world as a soloist and accompanying artist for dancers and musicians. Baluji’s
music has no language, music is the language. His versatility with different
instruments and musical styles is legendary.