Pandit Kishan Maharaj (1923-2008)
Born on 3 September 1923 in Kabir Chaura, Banaras, Kishan Maharaj belonged to the Banaras gharana of tabla, known for rich, ringing tone and an expressive way of accompanying other artists. He played with great musicians such as Bismillah Khan and Ravi Shankar. He received the Padma Shri (1973) and the Padma Vibhushan (2002). He passed away in 2008.
Ustad Zakir Hussain (1951-2024)
Zakir Hussain was born on 9 March 1951 in Bombay, the eldest son of the tabla master Alla Rakha. He became one of the best-known tabla players in the world and took Indian rhythm to audiences everywhere. Honours include the Padma Shri (1988), Padma Bhushan (2002), Padma Vibhushan (2023), the Sangeet Natak Akademi award (1991) and the Kyoto Prize (2016). In 2024 he won three Grammy awards in one year. He passed away in December 2024.
Raja Chhatrapati Singh (1919-1998)
Raja Chhatrapati Singh was born in the royal family of Bijna in Uttar Pradesh. He learnt the pakhawaj (the barrel drum of dhrupad) from masters including Kudau Singh. He accompanied great dhrupad singers, including the Dagar brothers, and is remembered as a leading pakhawaj player of his time. He received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award in 1991.
Guru Purushottam Das (1907-1991)
Purushottam Das was a pioneer of the Nathdwara school of pakhawaj, which grew around the temple tradition of Nathdwara. He taught many students and was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1984. He passed away in 1991.
Tip for exams: learn each master's instrument, gharana or school, one honour, and one fact about style. Use the timeline to keep the dates straight.
Key formulas and definitions
- Kishan Maharaj: 1923-2008, tabla, Banaras gharana, Padma Shri 1973, Padma Vibhushan 2002
- Zakir Hussain: 1951-2024, tabla, son of Alla Rakha, Padma Shri 1988, Padma Bhushan 2002, Padma Vibhushan 2023
- Raja Chhatrapati Singh: 1919-1998, pakhawaj, Bijna, Sangeet Natak Akademi 1991
- Purushottam Das: 1907-1991, pakhawaj, Nathdwara school, Padma Shri 1984
Worked examples
1. Kishan Maharaj got the Padma Shri in 1973 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2002. How many years apart?
2002 - 1973 = 29 years.
2. Zakir Hussain was born in 1951 and won the Padma Shri in 1988. How old was he (in years of birth year difference)?
1988 - 1951 = 37 years.
3. Which two of the four masters played pakhawaj, and which played tabla?
Pakhawaj: Raja Chhatrapati Singh and Purushottam Das. Tabla: Kishan Maharaj and Zakir Hussain.
4. Who was alive in 1960 among the four?
All four: Das (1907-1991), Chhatrapati Singh (1919-1998), Kishan Maharaj (1923-2008) and Zakir Hussain (born 1951).
Common mistakes
- Mixing the drums: Kishan Maharaj and Zakir Hussain play tabla, Chhatrapati Singh and Purushottam Das play pakhawaj.
- Giving Zakir Hussain the Banaras gharana. That is Kishan Maharaj; Zakir learnt from his father Alla Rakha.
- Writing wrong years. Use the timeline: Das 1907, Chhatrapati 1919, Kishan 1923, Zakir 1951.
- Writing "Raja" as a first name only. It is a title; the name is Chhatrapati Singh.