Taranath Rao
Encyclopedia
Pandit Taranath Ram Rao Hattiangadi (1915–1991) was a performer and teacher of Indian classical percussion, known for his knowledge of rare talas
and old compositions. He represented the Farukhabad, Delhi, and Ajrada gharanas of tabla
, and the Nana Panse tradition of pakhavaj
. He studied formally for 47 years—an exceptional amount of time, even in the Indian master-disciple system—under many pandits and ustads, most notably Shamsuddin Khan. He had numerous disciples and students of special training.
and main accompanist to Kirana gharana vocalist Abdul Karim Khan
. He also learned from Subbarao Ankolekar, Vishnu Goakar, "Laya Brahma Bhaskar" Khaprumama of Goa, Fayaz Khan of Kanpur, Shankarao Alkutkar, Baburao Ghokle, and Kallu Khan, all noted percussionists.
to Bombay (now Mumbai
) in 1932, and for decades was a scion of that city's music scene—first as a performer and concert organizer, and later, as his health declined, a musical mentor and authority. On All India Radio
he gave solo recitals and lecture-demonstrations on topics in North and South Indian classical music, most frequently on advanced, historical or unusual rhythmic structures and compositions. He was involved in scholarly projects such as Nikhil Ghosh's Encyclopedia of Music and Dance in India, and was honored in courtly traditions by the Maharajas of Mysore, Kolhapur, Baroda and Savantwadi.
Taranath Rao was a close collaborator with influential figures such as Allaudin Khan (whose early Bombay concerts he was instrumental in arranging), Ravi Shankar (for whom he was an original accompanist) and the revolutionary flautist Pannalal Ghosh
. His erudition and alliance were sought by members of the Bombay tabla world including Amir Hussain Khan, Pandharinath Nageshkar, Nikhil Ghosh and Nizamuddin Khan, and he was a close confidant of Ahmed Jan Thirakwa
. Rao also provided specialty training to a number of already established artists, many of whom were preparing to accompany rhythm-virtuoso Ravi Shankar, among them Chatur Lal
.
As a soloist, Rao was known for the architecture and content of his recitals. These normally weaved together sequences of exclusive, archival material with his original compositions. Such pieces were difficult to execute, drawing upon diverse influences in tabla and pakhavaj. Later in his career, Taranath showcased his style and repertoire through his students, arranging interactive public concerts during which he would lead the performers on harmonium
and prompt them with spontaneous instructions and recitation of compositions. As teenagers, a number of these disciples earned accolades such as the All India Radio Competition President's Award, and many went on to become master and expert level concert performers.
As an accompanist, Rao performed with nearly all prominent vocal and instrumental raga
legends of his time. These include Allaudin Khan, Enayat Khan
, Hafiz Ali Khan, Amir Khan
, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ravi Shankar
, Vilayat Khan
, Ali Akbar Khan
, Abdul Karim Khan
, Hirabai Barodekar, Suresh Babu Mane, Sawai Gandharva
, Bhimsen Joshi
, the senior Dagar Brothers, Salamat and Nazakat Ali Khan, Kumar Gandharva
, Kishanrao Shankar Pandit, Mallikarjun Mansur
, Pannalal Ghosh
, Devendra Murdeshwar, Aftab-e-Mousiqi Fayyaz Khan, Khadim Hussein Khan, SCR Bhatt, Chidanand Nagarkar, Lakshmi Shankar
, Omkarnath Thakur
and Rais Khan
.
Among this list are not only the most celebrated Indian classical musicians of the twentieth century, but also many of their gurus, and in some cases, their guru’s gurus. Two of Rao's most treasured performances were with Ravi Shankar in the Court of Maharaja of Mysore and with Ali Akbar Khan in the court of Maharaja of Jodhpur in the 1950s.
.
In terms of sheer numbers, Rao was a prolific guru, introducing to some 2,000 students the legacy of traditional gharana masters. In addition to private "tuitions" from his home in Bombay, Taranath taught, lectured and gave examinations at institutions including Ravi Shankar's Kinarra School, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bhatkande University (Bombay and Lucknow), Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, and the Kala Academy in Goa.
For the last 12 years of his life, Taranath taught at CalArts in Los Angeles, where his younger brother Harihar Rao
was heading the Ravi Shankar Music Circle. His disciples around the world, include Ravi Bellare, Shashi Bellare, Sadanand Naimpalli, Omkar Gulvady, Mohan Balvally, Uday Raikar, Maruti Kurdekar, Vijay Kangutkar, Balakrishna Iyer, Jayawant Bantwal, Anand Badamikar, Jef Feldman, Peter Fagiola, Roland Drogemuller, Gregg Johnson, Bengt Berger, Rupesh Kotecha, Narayan Kadekodi, Vilas Jadhav, Kishore Kulkarni and Leonice Shinneman. His tradition is carried on by the Peshkar Foundation.
Tala (music)
Tāla, Taal or Tal is the term used in Indian classical music for the rhythmic pattern of any composition and for the entire subject of rhythm, roughly corresponding to metre in Western music, though closer conceptual equivalents are to be found in other Asian classical systems such as the notion...
and old compositions. He represented the Farukhabad, Delhi, and Ajrada gharanas of tabla
Tabla
The tabla is a popular Indian percussion instrument used in Hindustani classical music and in popular and devotional music of the Indian subcontinent. The instrument consists of a pair of hand drums of contrasting sizes and timbres...
, and the Nana Panse tradition of pakhavaj
Pakhavaj
The pakhavaj, pakhawaj, pakuaj, pakhvaj or pakavaj is an Indian barrel-shaped, two-headed drum, the North Indian equivalent to the Southern mridangam....
. He studied formally for 47 years—an exceptional amount of time, even in the Indian master-disciple system—under many pandits and ustads, most notably Shamsuddin Khan. He had numerous disciples and students of special training.
Early life and background
Taranath's most significant studenship was under Shamsuddin Khan, gurubhai of Ahmed Jan ThirakwaAhmed Jan Thirakwa
Ahmed Jan Thirakwa Khan was an Indian tabla player, commonly considered the preeminent soloist among tabla players of the 20th century, and among the most influential percussionists in the history of Indian classical music...
and main accompanist to Kirana gharana vocalist Abdul Karim Khan
Abdul Karim Khan
Ustad Abdul Karim Khan , was an Indian classical singer of the Kairana gharana .-Early life and background:...
. He also learned from Subbarao Ankolekar, Vishnu Goakar, "Laya Brahma Bhaskar" Khaprumama of Goa, Fayaz Khan of Kanpur, Shankarao Alkutkar, Baburao Ghokle, and Kallu Khan, all noted percussionists.
Performing career
Taranath moved from his native MangaloreMangalore
Mangalore is the chief port city of the Indian state of Karnataka. It is located about west of the state capital, Bangalore. Mangalore lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghat mountain ranges, and is the administrative headquarters of the Dakshina Kannada district in south western...
to Bombay (now Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
) in 1932, and for decades was a scion of that city's music scene—first as a performer and concert organizer, and later, as his health declined, a musical mentor and authority. On All India Radio
All India Radio
All India Radio , officially known since 1956 as Akashvani , is the radio broadcaster of India and a division of Prasar Bharati. Established in 1936, it is the sister service of Prasar Bharati's Doordarshan, the national television broadcaster. All India Radio is one of the largest radio networks...
he gave solo recitals and lecture-demonstrations on topics in North and South Indian classical music, most frequently on advanced, historical or unusual rhythmic structures and compositions. He was involved in scholarly projects such as Nikhil Ghosh's Encyclopedia of Music and Dance in India, and was honored in courtly traditions by the Maharajas of Mysore, Kolhapur, Baroda and Savantwadi.
Taranath Rao was a close collaborator with influential figures such as Allaudin Khan (whose early Bombay concerts he was instrumental in arranging), Ravi Shankar (for whom he was an original accompanist) and the revolutionary flautist Pannalal Ghosh
Pannalal Ghosh
Pannalal Ghosh , also known as Amulya Jyoti Ghosh, was a Bengali Indian flute player and composer. He was a disciple of Allauddin Khan, and is credited with giving the flute its status in Hindustani classical music....
. His erudition and alliance were sought by members of the Bombay tabla world including Amir Hussain Khan, Pandharinath Nageshkar, Nikhil Ghosh and Nizamuddin Khan, and he was a close confidant of Ahmed Jan Thirakwa
Ahmed Jan Thirakwa
Ahmed Jan Thirakwa Khan was an Indian tabla player, commonly considered the preeminent soloist among tabla players of the 20th century, and among the most influential percussionists in the history of Indian classical music...
. Rao also provided specialty training to a number of already established artists, many of whom were preparing to accompany rhythm-virtuoso Ravi Shankar, among them Chatur Lal
Chatur Lal
Chatur Lal , was an Indian tabla player. Lal toured with Ravi Shankar, Aashish Khan, Vasant Rai, and Ali Akbar Khan in the 1950s and early 60s and helped popularize the tabla in Western countries. Chatur Lal was born 1925 in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Lal died October 1965...
.
As a soloist, Rao was known for the architecture and content of his recitals. These normally weaved together sequences of exclusive, archival material with his original compositions. Such pieces were difficult to execute, drawing upon diverse influences in tabla and pakhavaj. Later in his career, Taranath showcased his style and repertoire through his students, arranging interactive public concerts during which he would lead the performers on harmonium
Harmonium
A harmonium is a free-standing keyboard instrument similar to a reed organ. Sound is produced by air being blown through sets of free reeds, resulting in a sound similar to that of an accordion...
and prompt them with spontaneous instructions and recitation of compositions. As teenagers, a number of these disciples earned accolades such as the All India Radio Competition President's Award, and many went on to become master and expert level concert performers.
As an accompanist, Rao performed with nearly all prominent vocal and instrumental raga
Raga
A raga is one of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music.It is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made...
legends of his time. These include Allaudin Khan, Enayat Khan
Enayat Khan
Enayat Khan was one of India's most influential sitar and surbahar players in the first decades of the 20th Century. He was the father of Vilayat Khan, one of the topmost sitariyas of the postwar period....
, Hafiz Ali Khan, Amir Khan
Ustad Amir Khan
Ustad Amir Khan was a well-known Indian classical vocalist. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Hindustani classical music, and the founder of the Indore Gharana.-Early life and background:...
, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Ravi Shankar
Ravi Shankar
Ravi Shankar , often referred to by the title Pandit, is an Indian musician and composer who plays the plucked string instrument sitar. He has been described as the best known contemporary Indian musician by Hans Neuhoff in Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart.Shankar was born in Varanasi and spent...
, Vilayat Khan
Vilayat Khan
Ustad Vilayat Khan was one of India's well known sitar maestros, born in Gauripur in Mymensingh, Bengal...
, Ali Akbar Khan
Ali Akbar Khan
Ali Akbar Khan , often referred to as Khansahib or by the title Ustad , was a Hindustani classical musician of the Maihar gharana, known for his virtuosity in playing the sarod...
, Abdul Karim Khan
Abdul Karim Khan
Ustad Abdul Karim Khan , was an Indian classical singer of the Kairana gharana .-Early life and background:...
, Hirabai Barodekar, Suresh Babu Mane, Sawai Gandharva
Sawai Gandharva
Rambhau Kundgolkar, popularly known as Pandit Sawai Gandharva , was a popular Hindustani Classical vocalist and Marathi stage actor of the Kirana Gharana. He was the first and foremost disciple of Utd. Abdul Karim Khan and guru of Bharat Ratna laureate Pt. Bhimsen Joshi. Pt...
, Bhimsen Joshi
Bhimsen Joshi
Pandit Bhimsen Gururaj Joshi ; February 4, 1922 - January 24, 2011) was an Indian vocalist in the Hindustani classical tradition. A member of the Kirana Gharana , he is renowned for the khayal form of singing, as well as for his popular renditions of devotional music...
, the senior Dagar Brothers, Salamat and Nazakat Ali Khan, Kumar Gandharva
Kumar Gandharva
Kumar Gandharva or Shivaputra Siddharamayya Komkallimath was a Hindustani classical singer, famous for his unique vocal style, refusal to be bound by the tradition of any gharana, and his innovative genius...
, Kishanrao Shankar Pandit, Mallikarjun Mansur
Mallikarjun Mansur
Mallikarjun Bheemarayappa Mansur was an Indian classical singer of the khyal style in the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana. He received the three national Padma Awards: Padma Shri in 1970, Padma Bhushan in 1976, and Padma Vibhushan in 1992.-Early life:...
, Pannalal Ghosh
Pannalal Ghosh
Pannalal Ghosh , also known as Amulya Jyoti Ghosh, was a Bengali Indian flute player and composer. He was a disciple of Allauddin Khan, and is credited with giving the flute its status in Hindustani classical music....
, Devendra Murdeshwar, Aftab-e-Mousiqi Fayyaz Khan, Khadim Hussein Khan, SCR Bhatt, Chidanand Nagarkar, Lakshmi Shankar
Lakshmi Shankar
Lakshmi Shankar is a Hindustani classical vocalist of the Patiala Gharana. She is known for her performances of khyal, thumri, and bhajans.Born in 1926, Lakshmi started her career in dancing...
, Omkarnath Thakur
Omkarnath Thakur
Omkarnath Thakur was an Indian educator, musicologist, and Hindustani classical singer. He is famously known as "Pranav Rang", his pen-name.Thakur was born 1897 in a village in the Princely State of Baroda into a poor military family...
and Rais Khan
Rais Khan
Ustad Rais Khan is a legendary sitarist born in Indore, India. In the different lines of "gayaki ang" Ustad Rais Khansaheb is the torchbearer of the Mewat or Mewati Gharana , which is connected to Indore and the "beenkar baj gayaki ang" Ustad Rais Khan (born 25 November 1939) is a legendary...
.
Among this list are not only the most celebrated Indian classical musicians of the twentieth century, but also many of their gurus, and in some cases, their guru’s gurus. Two of Rao's most treasured performances were with Ravi Shankar in the Court of Maharaja of Mysore and with Ali Akbar Khan in the court of Maharaja of Jodhpur in the 1950s.
Teaching
Taranath Rao was a venerated curator of Indian percussion, but he is also remembered for his modern outlook on classical music, innovative approach to drumming, and progressive, systematic teaching style. Along with Jnan Prakash Ghosh of Calcutta, he helped pioneer many contemporary features of solo tabla drumming, such as duo (jugalbandi) performance. The dual-solo format was largely popularized by Rao's disciples Ravi and Shashi Bellare, leading tabla players of the 1950s and 60s, and later by contemporary master Alla Rakha with his son the prodigy Zakir HussainZakir Hussain (musician)
Zakir Hussain , , is an Indian tabla player, musical producer, film actor and composer.-Early life:Hussain was born in Mumbai, India to the legendary tabla player Alla Rakha. He attended St...
.
In terms of sheer numbers, Rao was a prolific guru, introducing to some 2,000 students the legacy of traditional gharana masters. In addition to private "tuitions" from his home in Bombay, Taranath taught, lectured and gave examinations at institutions including Ravi Shankar's Kinarra School, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bhatkande University (Bombay and Lucknow), Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, and the Kala Academy in Goa.
For the last 12 years of his life, Taranath taught at CalArts in Los Angeles, where his younger brother Harihar Rao
Harihar Rao
Harihar Rao is a sitar player who worked in the ethnomusicology department at UCLA. In 1967, Rao published the book Introduction to Sitar, which sold more than 500 copies in its first two weeks of publication...
was heading the Ravi Shankar Music Circle. His disciples around the world, include Ravi Bellare, Shashi Bellare, Sadanand Naimpalli, Omkar Gulvady, Mohan Balvally, Uday Raikar, Maruti Kurdekar, Vijay Kangutkar, Balakrishna Iyer, Jayawant Bantwal, Anand Badamikar, Jef Feldman, Peter Fagiola, Roland Drogemuller, Gregg Johnson, Bengt Berger, Rupesh Kotecha, Narayan Kadekodi, Vilas Jadhav, Kishore Kulkarni and Leonice Shinneman. His tradition is carried on by the Peshkar Foundation.