'Guruji' Pandit Divyang Vakil | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Occupation(s) | Guru of Taalvidya, Spirituality and Philosophy. A Tabla and Rhythm maestro, and a Music Composer. |
| Organization(s) | Taalim School of Indian Music, USA |
| Awards | Gujarat Gaurav Puraskar, 2014 |
| Website | panditdivyangvakil |
Pandit Divyang Vakil (commonly addressed as Guruji or 'respected teacher') is a Tabla and Rhythm maestro renowned globally for his intricate rhythm compositions; a Guru of Taalvidya'; Spirituality and Philosophy. [1] [2]
Pandit Divyang Vakil received formal training in Indian classical percussion instrument Tabla under the tutelage of not one but three Gurus from different Gharanas; Pandit Sudhirkumar Saxena of the Ajrada gharana, Ustad Latif Ahmed Khan of the Delhi gharana and Ustad Allarakha Khan of the Punjab gharana. [2] [3] [4] Pandit Vakil has also accompanied many of the great masters of Indian classical music including Pt. Nikhil Banerjee and Pt. Maniramji.[ citation needed ]
Nearly 30 years ago, Pandit Divyang Vakil renounced his career as a tabla performer to dedicate himself wholeheartedly to teaching, composing and spiritual pursuits. [5]
In 2019, Pandit Divyang Vakil (affectionately known as 'Guruji' to his students) completed his 40th year of teaching Tabla. [6] He has taught thousands of students and produced innumerable professionals globally through his expansive teaching career spanning over 4 decades. [7] He is the founder of Rhythm Riders Music Institute [8] in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. An affiliated institute of Rhythm Riders Music Institute is the Taalim School of Indian Music in the US, which is run by American disciples of Pandit Divyang Vakil. [9] His students have also established Tabla schools in places such as Australia, Korea, UK and various locations across the US. [10] [11] [12]
Guruji Pandit Divyang Vakil is currently providing extensive rhythm training to over 500 Kathak students, dancers, artists, teachers and professionals globally who are being trained in Indian classical dance form Kathak from different Kathak Gurus; institutes and belong to different Gharanas (schools of Indian classical dance and music) of Kathak dance. [1] [13] [14] The 'Taalvidya' program focuses on the rhythmic aspect of Kathak and aims at providing the dancers with a deeper understanding into the fundamental structure of the art form through classes, workshops and courses eventually opening up many new avenues for an artist to explore. Kathak dancers from around the world often dance to his Kathak compositions. During the pandemic, his vision connected numerous Kathak dancers, artists and teachers from India and abroad in a collaborative spirit and who choreographed and danced upon many of his original and memorable Kathak compositions produced digitally by Aaditaal Music Project; the production face of Indian music composer, producer and artist Rushi Vakil and released under the title of 'Quarantine Kathak Connections'. [1]
Guruji Pandit Divyang Vakil has conducted intensive research for the past 2 decades on one of the vastly ignored subjects by mankind i.e.,'Death'; 'The art of dying' which includes understanding of different philosophies and concepts, and scientific aspects revolving around the subject of 'Death' as well as death rituals and customs in practice across various religions in the world. For research alone, he has travelled across numerous countries and closely examined many events of death to gain deeper insights into the mystery, origin and progression of life towards a distinguished state of 'Death' and the phenomenon of death itself'. [1] [2] By combining his vast knowledge and experience as a rhythm maestro, his keen interest in philosophy and profound spiritual experience, his research involves in- depth understanding and deciphering the vibrations and rhythmic patterns associated with 'death'. Guruji has delivered many lectures on the 'Philosophy of Death' until now and he shares his experiences upon this subject with doctors and his students as well. He has also conducted various discourses and has delivered numerous lectures globally on topics such as 'Philosophy of Music', 'Philosophy of Death and Reincarnation', 'Human behaviour', 'Hanuman Chalisa' and more. [2] [5] [15]
As a composer, Guruji Pandit Divyang Vakil is known for his intricate rhythm compositions. He has been teaching the concepts of rhythm and guiding numerous musicians and drummers globally to adapt the fundamentals of the Indian classical rhythm system onto their own instrument creating new rhythmic structures while demonstrating the universality of rhythm. [15] [16] In 2011, he collaborated with South Korean musician Yu Kyung-hwa. Vakil composed a piece for Yu to play on the traditional Korean instrument, the Janggu, and set it to popular Indian rhythms. [17] The piece debuted in February 2011 at Rhythm Riders Music Institute in Ahmedabad, India. The following month Pandit Ji was invited to compose and teach Indian rhythms and theory to Korean artists in an international music exchange program. [18]
Pandit Divyang Vakil is well known for his contemporary classical Tabla ensemble compositions 'Tabla Triveni', 'Tabla Taandav', 'Tabla Tarkhat' and 'Tālavya' to name a few. Through his compositions, Pandit Vakil has given a modern form to Indian classical Tabla playing. [19]
Formerly known as the Tabla Ecstasy, Talavya is a contemporary Indian Classical Percussion Ensemble that explores the capabilities of expressing the Indian Classical Hand Drum Tabla as a rhythmic as well as a melodic instrument. [20] The ensemble performs compositions by Guruji Pandit Divyang Vakil. Tabla Ecstasy, Power of Tabla, Ardha Taal Chakravyuha are a few of his full length instrumental ensemble pieces which are essentially contemporary compositions by Guruji Pt. Divyang Vakil that Talavya performs. [21] In 2007, his tabla duet called Power of Tabla was the first musical performance by Gujarati artists to be performed in the history of IIM-Ahmedabad Chaos Festival. [22] [23] One of his most difficult works is Ardha Taal Chakra (literally meaning "circle of half rhythms"). Ardha Taal Chakra explored half-beat Indian rhythm cycles. [24] Created in 2006, it was recomposed and renamed in 2010 to become Ardha Taal Chakravyuha. All the group Tabla works retain the essence of the Indian Classical Music while showcasing synchronization of complex rhythms transitioning to smooth meditative passages not usually associated with drumming. [25] [26] Talavya has also performed at notable events and locations such as the Chico World Music Festival, held in Chico, California, United States, [27] [28] Symphony Space, NYC,[ citation needed ] TEDx ASB Events at Mumbai, India, [29] [25] The INK Conference at Jaipur, India, [30] Queens University of Charlotte, USA, [5] Lincoln Center, NYC, [31] The Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC™) 2013 at Indianapolis, USA [32] and numerous other locations across North America. [33] Talavya has collaborated with American percussionist and musician Mickey Hart, Canadian vocalist Shakura S’Aida, musician Sidi Touré and Cuban Fire. [21]
Pandit Divyang Vakil's latest work Pradhanica; meaning 'Female leader ’ or 'Female head' is a collaborative stage production [34] between the South Korean origin Kathak dancer, choreographer [35] and Guruji Pandit Divyang Vakil's Tabla disciple Jin Won. [36] [37] Pradhanica is a 90-minute ensemble of World Drums and Indian classical dance form Kathak showcasing the contemporary side of the dance composed by Guruji Pandit Divyang [34] [35] and led by Jin Won . It essentially explores the possibilities of expressing emotions through rhythm and movement. [38] The ensemble includes Pandit Divyang Vakil's disciple Mike Lukshis playing the Indian classical hand percussion instrument 'Tabla' along with Kaumil Shah on African Djembe, Vincent Pierce on the Latin American instrument Cajon and Indrajit Roy Choudhary on Indian classical string instrument Sitar. [34] Pradhanica has performed at various locations across the states; Manhattan Movement and Art Center, [34] Drive East, The Festival of South Asian Music and Dance at La MaMa, [35] Lone Tree Arts Center, Colorado, [38] Musikfest in Bethlehem, PA, [34] and Annual Princeton Festival at McCarter Theater in Princeton are some to mention. [39] [40]
The Legacy concert, 2019 celebrated Guruji Pandit Divyang Vakil's 40th teaching anniversary. The concert featured numerous performances by his senior 'Tabla' disciples, artists and students of 'Rhythm' performing on western Drum kit, Janggu and more; as well as his 'Taalvidya' students, dancers and professionals from the field of 'Kathak' from around the world. [44] The event also showcased a performance by the notable American drummer Will Calhoun who has been inspired by Guruji's rhythmic styles [6] as well as Korean percussionist Prof. Kyung- Hwa You, who adapted the aspects of Indian rhythm and music in her playing of the traditional Korean instrument Janggu.
Rhythmic Freefall: The Power of Rhythm in Nature' was an event curated by the Taalim School of Indian Music held at the base of the Lower Enfield Falls at Robert H. Treman State Park on 22 September 2018. [45] Reportedly, over 100 Tabla players aged 4 – 65 years from the Taalim School of Indian Music, USA led by Guruji Pandit Divyang Vakil showcased a powerful performance alongside the rushing waterfall to experience the oneness of rhythm in nature. [46] [47] The event marked the 20th anniversary of a similar event conceptualised by Guruji Pandit Divyang Vakil 20 years before in Gujarat, India at the Zanzari waterfall.[ citation needed ]
Pandit Divyang Vakil received the 'Gujarat Gaurav Puraskar' (Gujarat State honour) by the Gujarat Rajya Sangeet Natak Academy on 8 December 2014 for his years of contribution to the field of Indian classical music in an award ceremony held at the Gujarati Sahitya Parishad Hall. [48] [49]
Pandit Birju Maharaj was an Indian dancer, composer, singer, and exponent of the Lucknow "Kalka-Bindadin" Gharana of Kathak dance in India. He was a descendant of the Maharaj family of Kathak dancers, which includes his two uncles, Shambhu Maharaj and Lachhu Maharaj, and his father and guru, Acchan Maharaj. He also practised Hindustani classical music and was a vocalist. After working along with his uncle, Shambhu Maharaj at Bhartiya Kala Kendra, later the Kathak Kendra, New Delhi, he remained head of the latter, for several years, until his retirement in 1998 when he opened his own dance school, Kalashram, also in Delhi.
Hindustani classical music is the classical music of northern regions of the Indian subcontinent. It may also be called North Indian classical music or, in Hindustani, shastriya sangeet. The term shastriya sangeet literally means classical music, and can also mean Indian classical music in general. It is played on instruments like the veena, sitar and sarod. Its origins from the 12th century CE, when it diverged from Carnatic music, the classical tradition in South India. While Carnatic music largely uses compositions produced in Dravidian languages and Sanskrit, Hindustani music largely uses compositions written in Punjabi, Rajasthani, Urdu, and Braj Bhasha.
Kumudini Lakhia is an Indian Kathak dancer and choreographer based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where she founded Kadamb School of Dance and Music, an institute of Indian dance and music in 1967.
Paṅjāb Gharānā, is a style and technique of tabla playing that originated in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, now split between present-day Pakistan and India. The Punjab Gharana is considered one of the six main styles of tabla, the others being Delhi, Ajrada, Banares, Lucknow, and Farrukhabad. The repertoire of the Punjab Gharana is heavily influenced by the Pakhawaj.
Lenny Seidman is a tabla player, a composer, a co-director of the Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra, and a World Music/Jazz curator at the Painted Bride Art Center in Philadelphia.
The Music Ensemble of Benares was conceived in 1975 and founded in 1982 by the German musician Gunther Paust, The Music Ensemble of Benares is a group of artists from the north Indian city of Benares (Varanasi). Though the ensemble has grown and developed to encompass an eclectic array of musical styles and genres it is rooted in Indian classical music.
A tabla is a pair of hand drums from the Indian subcontinent, that is somewhat similar in shape to the bongos. Since the 18th century, it has been the principal percussion instrument in Hindustani classical music, where it may be played solo, as an accompaniment with other instruments and vocals, and as a part of larger ensembles. It is frequently played in popular and folk music performances in India, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. The tabla is an essential instrument in the bhakti devotional traditions of Hinduism and Sikhism, such as during bhajan and kirtan singing. It is one of the main qawali instruments used by Sufi musicians. The instrument is also featured in dance performances such as Kathak. Tabla is a rhythmic instrument.
Samta Prasad was an Indian classical musician and tabla player from the Benares gharana. He played tabla in many Hindi films including, Meri Surat Teri Ankhen (1963) and Sholay (1975), and film music composers Rahul Dev Burman and Bappi Lahiri were his disciples.
Nandan Mehta was an Indian tabla player and music teacher from Ahmedabad who belonged to the Benaras Gharana of Hindustani classical music. He established Saptak School of Music and started Saptak Annual Festival of Music in 1980.
Chandrakant Kamat was a Hindustani classical tabla player of the Benares Tabla Gharana.
Vidushi Manju Mehta is an Indian classical sitar player.
Professor Sudhirkumar Saxena was a tabla artist Guru and professor.
Anokhelal Mishra — also spelled as Anokhe Lal Misra and commonly known as Pandit Anokhelalji — was an Indian Tablā Artist who belonged to the Banaras Gharana of Hindustani classical music.
Swara Samrat festival is a four-day annual festival of Indian classical music and dance held during the winters in Kolkata, India. This festival is the brainchild of Sarod maestro Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar, his vocalist wife, Manasi Majumder and their Sarod player-son Indrayuddh Majumder. The festival is dedicated to Swara Samrat Ustad Ali Akbar Khan. Indian Classical Music and Dance Legends such as Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ustad Aashish Khan, Dr. Girija Devi, Begum Parveen Sultana, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Guru Karaikudi Mani, Ustad Rashid Khan, Shankar Mahadevan, Pandit Budhaditya Mukherjee, Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar, Pandit Venkatesh Kumar, Pandit Ajoy Chakraborty, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, Pandit Sanjay Mukherjee, Ustad Shahid Parvez, Ustad Shujaat Khan, Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar, Pandit Kushal Das, Pandit Rajendra Gangani, Guru Sujata Mohapatra, Pandit Subhankar Banerjee, Pandit Yogesh Samsi, Pandit Bickram Ghosh, Pandit Tanmoy Bose and Kaushiki Chakraborty are some of the artists who have previously performed in this festival.
Rohini Bhate was among the senior most Kathak dance exponents in India, who developed as a performer, teacher, writer, researcher and critic this Indian classical dance. During her career, she was awarded with several recognitions, such as the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, and the Kalidas Samman.
Pandit Chandra Nath Shastri, is a tabla musician from India, currently based in Kolkata. He belongs to the Benares gharana style of Hindustani classical music. He is a retired staff artist of All India Radio and performed regularly for public-television broadcaster Doordarshan. He is also an astrologer.
Raja Chakradhar Singh was the Raja of Raigarh and Chief of Bargarh ruled by Gond dynasty. He was the ruler of Princely state of Raigarh from 1924 till his death in 1947. He was son of Raja Bhup Deo Singh, who died in 1917.
Pandit Sunder Prasad was a guru (teacher) of - Jaipur Gharana of the Indian classical dance form, Kathak. He received his training from his father Pandit Chunnilal of Jaipur Gharana. He also trained under Bindadin Maharaj of Lucknow Gharana. Sunder Prasad performed all over the country. Sunder Prasad was not just an artist, he is also a teacher. He taught Kathak Dance for almost 30 years in Mumbai and then shifted to Chennai. He was honoured by Natak Academy of Delhi in the year 1958.
Shyamal-Saumil is an Indian classical music duo formed in 1980, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, composed of the Gujarati singers, Dr. Shyamal Munshi and Saumil Munshi. Shyamal-Saumil achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success in the 1980s and early 1990s, helping to popularize Gujarati classical music, known as "Sugam Sangeet" while experimenting, innovating, and branching out into other forms of media, like cinema and theatre. Shyamal-Saumil are known for their all inclusive music, having created a plethora of albums for children, teenagers and adults, also having delved into and having explored different cultures and religious folk music in their works.
Ustad Faiyaz Khan is an Indian vocalist, Sarangi artiste and a tabla player who sings Hindustani music. He is well known for rendering Khyal music & sarangi solos and also well known for Kannada Dasar pada & vachanas
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)