Tabla

Friday, May 05, 2006

Davids Tabla - percussion site

Hi ;

Im a professional Indian percussionist based on the Gold Coast, I was born in Chennai South-India where mystudies of the intricate percussive rhythms of India began with my accidental sojourn into the Carnatic musical heritage of South India, learning Mridangam, & Kanjeera(Tambourine) ... in the hottest months of the year Feb to July of 1998. Well what can i say , i got heatstroke twice going to and from classes, which were every day 6 days a week. I had to commute by public transport, usually carrying a 4.5 kilo drum in my shoulder bag. Ahh! well the music i learned more than made up for the incoveniences of the journey everyday.

The next chapter in my life started when i returned back to Australia, I met and started jamming semi- seriously with Paolo S, a brilliantly accomplished Sitarist and very quickly realised that even though the Mridangam was a complete instrument in itself it simply was not suited to the sweet, rich lilting cadences of North Indian Ragas played beautifully on Sitar and Sarod by Paolo. I made a decision to go back and study Tabla in India so that i could be the best i could be at... Tabla. I spent 2 years studying Tabla starting off as a rank beginner and moving onto advanced Tabla solo studies in Chennai which i finished in 2004 Dec.


I started playing with Paolo (the Sitarist) at a restaurant on the Gold Coast and we have been playing together for 6 years since, during which i have evolved considerably from a beginner to a very advanced Tablist. In my opinion there is no sustitute in playing with a real live musician and it is a journey ... in which one thing only stands out, that is seeing yourself evolving and progressing continually as a performer.


Another stand out Indian classical Sitarist based in Australia, who i had the greatest of fortune to meet in 2002 and work together with ever since is Peter Davidian. A superb acoustic Sitarist and a truly great musician and brother to me in every respect. Peter and me have played numerous concerts in Brisbane for BEMAC @ City Hall and in collaboration with MAGIC on the Gold Coast and in Byron Bay. Having been fortunate enough to study both genres of Indian percussion i feel very lucky to continue playing and making beautiful music.

Peace and love to All