THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For Sathish Babu who started learning tabla at an age of 14, it has always been more than a passion. Finding his rhythm on the percussion instrument for the past 26 years, the tabla artist feels that tabla has assumed a lot of significance in the music scenario over the past few years.
The artist, who now does solo performance besides accompanying Hindustani classical concerts, will perform at Vyloppilly Samskruthi Bhavan on Saturday.
He adds: “For a long time, tabla was mainly an accompaniment for other instruments and vocal concerts. But now, thanks to well-known artistes like the late Ustad Allah Rakha and Ustad Zakir Hussain, tabla has earned the tag of a solo music instrument and has rose in grade”
Having trained under Kochi-based artist Shreedharan Master, famous musicians Manohar N Keskar and Pandit Ramesh Narayan(a disciple of Pandit Jasraj), Sathish had also got the opportunity to train under the legend Ustad Alla Rakha in Mumbai.
However, the musician rues that Hindustani concerts are becoming less popular compared to how it was earlier in the state. He says: “Hindustani classical music is not much popular in Kerala and the situation now is worse. Even in North India, where Hindusthani seems to be popular, its prominence is waning.”
Sathish Babu, who has a few students training under him, adds: “I have students from the age of 6 to senior person under me. All of them are very keen on learning. But, those who opt for a career through the musical instrument is less. Many find performing with bands and orchestras a better option.”
The solo Tabla concert will take place at Vyloppilly Samskruthi Bhavan at 6.30 pm on Saturday.