As a practitioner of Hindustani music, I have always been amazed at how Indian musicians dealt with the new technologies that became an integral part of their profession in the early decades of the twentieth century. The performance context was entirely different from what they were used to in chamber concerts, and yet, after initial reluctance, they adapted wonderfully to their new circumstances. Proof of their musicianship and creativity is to be found on the 78RPM discs they recorded at time.
Even more astounding is the manner in which they embraced the film medium. They not only provided accompaniment to silent movies and talkies, but also faced the camera.
Here’s a classic early clip from the Wadia Movietone series captured on film in the 1930s. It features Ahmed Jan Thirakwa (c.1890-1976), one of the best-known tabla players of all time. A path-breaker and trendsetter, Thirakwa was equally well-known for his solo recitals as he was for his accompaniment to four generations of vocalists, instrumentalists, dancers, and to theatre music.
This clip features him as a soloist. He’s playing a short tabla solo in teentaal, a time-cycle of 16 counts.
First appeared in www.scroll.in on April 26, 2014.
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