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Gourisankar
Biography
Born in 1964 to a
nationally respected family of musicians, Sri Gourisankar, the grandson
of famed dhrupadiya (vocalist) Jotinra Mohn, began studying and playing
tabla at the young age of three-years old under the able guidance of his
father, Mr. Shib Shankar - a noted disciple of the tabla maestro, the
late Ustad Keramatulla Khan.
In conjunction with his
studies, Gourisankar pursued the art and technique of tabla seriously
and soon developed superb control over the instrument. Since the age of
ten years and, since 1979, under the tutelage of the Tabla Maestro,
Professor Sankha Chatterjee, Gourisankar has accumulated numerous
honors from the worldwide music community.
A graduate of Calcutta
University, Gourisankar has passed the Sangeet Pravakar Degree
examination of Prayag Sangeet Samity, Allahabad, B. Mus. Degree of the
Indira Kala University and Sangeet Bhivakar Degree of Bangiya Sangeet
Parishad (West Bengal). Sri Gourisankar passed the Sangeet Visharad
Degree Examination of Pracheen Kala Kendra Chandigarh in 1987 came
first, securing the coveted Gold Medal of excellence.
He is also affiliated
with Sankar Kala Mandir where he has been a Tabla Teacher for the last
fifteen years and also teaches regularly in the US. He joined the A.I.R. and Doordarshan, Calcutta in 1982 as
a Regular Artist. Gourisankar is also an examiner of Prachin Kala
Kendra. Chandigarh.
Sri Gourisankar is an
outstanding percussion artist. He has received high compliments
world-wide for his musical virtuosity. He enchants audiences with his
deep, melodic artistry, displaying his keen understanding of intricate
rhythms. He has
conducted several concert tours in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the
United States, among these are: "The Parampara Festival"
(organized by D.A.D. Berlin, 1992); "Martinique - Inde Mela
1992"; "Strasbourg Foire" (Indian Tourism, 1992);
"Lebanon International Festival 1994"(I. C. C.R.); "Egypt
International Festival 1994" (I. C. C. R); and "Israel
International Festival 1994" (I. C. C.R.). He has given radio and
television interviews in Cairo, Germany and Monaco.
Eminent musicians and
music connoisseurs world-wide have a great appreciation for his
musicianship. Sri Gourisankar
is an "A" grade Artist with all India
Radio and Televison.
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