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Nihal and Mihir Tammana: Making the world a better place
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Published on 16, Jul 2021
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Finding his tempo: The rise and rise of tabla maestro Truptraj
(March 5, 2022) A tabla gifted to his father by a friend caught Truptraj Pandya's eye even before he had learned to walk. The instrument lay unused in a corner of the house. By the time he was 15 months old, he was already playing it, showing, even then, a prodigious talent for music which his parents noticed and encouraged. Today, at the age of 15, the young tabla maestro is well on his way to becoming the face of India's tabla landscape and has given over 200 public performances. He has been a guest of honour at major events and seminars and created a buzz in the media - local, national and international. In 2019, dressed in maroon attire, he stood proudly before Prime Minister Narendra Modi to receive his Bal Shakti Puraskar. Truptraj Atul Pandya is a master percussionist He is an established radio and TV artist as well, who has given more than several live performances. Proud that he has been conferred the Bal Shakti Puraskar. pic.twitter.com/iZu8ThvxH0 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 24, 2019 Fame and accolades have not robbed the young tabla maestro of his humility - he is modest and friendly during his interview with Global Indian.
Read MoreFinding a guru
When Truptraj was about two years old, his father took him to attend Ustad Zakir Hussain's concert. The maestro took notice of the young prodigy and helped him out, connecting him to his disciple, Dhyaneshwar Popalghat, from the Ustad Allarakha Institute of Music for proper guidance. "My taalim started when I was about three and my association with my Guru still continues, even after 12 years," Truptraj smiles. He is now undergoing advanced training under Pandit Nayan Ghosh and has also been blessed by legends like Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasiya and Ustad Iqbal Ahmad Khan.
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Little Truptraj with Guinness Book of World Records certificate[/caption]
Encouraged by his parents and his Guru, Truptraj made his bid for the Guinness World Records when he was six years old. Even that, he believes, could have happened earlier. "My father applied for it a little late because he wanted to be sure that it was more than just a short-lived interest to me." His father's fears were unfounded, for Truptraj's love for the tabla has only grown stronger with time. The young tabla maestro devotes himself to perfecting his craft, leaving the details of managing his schedule to his father.
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Truptraj Pandya[/caption]
A student and a star
Truptraj is in the middle of the all-important Class X and exams are around the corner. Nothing holds him back from his riyaaz, however. "I might cut short the duration of my practice if I have exams but I never skip it," he says. The Covid-19 lockdown left him with ample time on his hands, with classes taking place from home. And the ace performer doesn't just juggle school and music, he also loves sports, serving as his school's basketball team captain for four years until 2019.
"My teachers and friends are very supportive," he says. "I have always taken proper permission from school before traveling for live performances. They make sure I don't miss out on notes and important assignments," adds the young maestro.
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Truptraj with President, Ram Nath Kovind[/caption]
In fact, no school event is complete without the musical stylings of Truptraj Pandya. "My teachers give equal opportunity and support to every pupil and my friends aren't my friends because of the tabla, our friendship comes from the heart," he says. The young maestro remains unconcerned by the looming exam season - he knows he has studied enough to do well. "My last performance was in December but if something comes up, I will take the opportunity," he says, now seasoned at juggling his many priorities. His favourite subject, he says, is history and he prefers documentaries to reading a textbook.
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Truptraj's family[/caption]
Follow your heart, he tells teens
Being on stage across India, with lakhs of people watching him, gives Truptraj a thrill like no other. "This is just the beginning, I have a long way to go," he says, modestly. "I love stage performances, though. I feel a little nervous just before I begin but once I begin playing my tabla, my fears vanish. The music takes over me and I'm confident that I won't let the audience and myself down," he says.
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"Do what you love" is his advice to other teenagers. "Don't give into pressure at home or from family, if you do, you will only get tired and quit someday. But if you do things that you love, you will not get tired of it, you will always be hungry for more. You will remain motivated and passionate. Practice more and be patient," he signs off.
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