Today we’d like to introduce you to Amit Kavthekar.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Amit. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my Tabla training in the year 1989, at the age of 6 from Ustad Allarakha (or “Abbaji” as we used to call him). When Abbaji passed away in 2000, I continued my training from several other teachers and also learned intricacies of Tabla playing from Ustad Zakir Hussain.
In 2010, one of my Tabla brothers Aditya Kalyanpur invited me to come to the USA and teach in the New England School of Music founded by him. I have been based in the Boston area since, teaching in the school and touring for concerts. I have played several concerts with many stalwart Indian musicians as well as many western musicians and symphony orchestras. To work with people from different countries and different cultures, and get to know them and their music closely has opened up a whole new world for me.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Challenges are a part of life but for things you are passionate about, you need the challenges to grow. The biggest challenge I faced was when I was younger and struggling to get to play concerts. Even if I did get concerts, sometimes I would play them for free just to have the opportunity to perform. But every musician has to go through this in his/her lifetime. Many talented people in this field struggle because lack of support, or not having a “Godfather” in the field to give you a boost. But I have been really fortunate and am really thankful to my Gurus and parents who are always supportive and who I can look to for advice any day.
New England School of Music, Tabla instructor, Tabla player, soloist and accompanist – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Our school’s name is New England School of Music (NESOM) and we are specialized in Tabla training. Tabla is a unique North Indian classical Percussion instrument, which is very popular throughout the history of Indian Classical Music. We have 75-80 students enrolled and we try to pass our knowledge in the traditional Indian Classical way of oral-auditorial learning. Traditionally, the Guru recited the syllables and the students would grasp them right away and memorize them without noting anything down. Our students do have notebooks, but we teach them to try not to look at them while playing!
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment in my life is when my Guru complimented me – in Indian culture, a Guru never compliments you fully and Abbaji was very traditional and strict. One day I was very late for my Tabla class and all the senior students had already played and showed Abbaji whatever they practiced. Abbaji looked at me and remarked that I was late and asked me if I had practiced anything. I was shivering and said I can try. I played one Kaida (composition) in front of him with a scared face, and after I was done playing he called me close to him and said I had played the Kaida really well and then he gave me a 100 Rs Bill. It was one the proudest moments in my life and the best award I could ever ask for.
When I get to share the stage with artists I grew up watching and get my inspiration from, such as Ustad Amjad Ali khan, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta, Pandit Shivkumar Sharma (in his documentary), those are really proud moments for me too.
Contact Info:
- Address: 433 South St Shrewsbury MA 01545
- Website: www.newenglandschoolofmusic.org & www.amitkavthekar.com
- Phone: 6174809464
- Email: tabla@amitkavthekar.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aktabla/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmitKavthekar/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/amitkavthekar?lang=en
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/tablatabs
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