This short tabla solo was filmed and recorded live in Mulshi, Maharashtra in the colonnaded patio of a sprawling farmhouse. Tabla virtuoso Supreet Deshpande packs in power and precision in this three-and-a-half-minute solo bringing home, the crisp dexterity of the Farukhabad gharana which he chiefly represents as an exponent of this instrument. Deshpande’s music is a kaleidoscope of influences drawn from Delhi, Ajrada, Lucknow, Benares and Punjab gharanas.

In this video, Milind Kulkarni plays the nagma (refrain), creating a tight framework for Deshpande within which the latter exerts a couple of compositions spread over the 16-beat cycle of teental in an intense and deep-toned delivery.

Supreet Deshpande studied under his father Kiran Deshpande as well as Suresh Talwalkar, and brings a gharana-blending style to his playing. He is known for his expertise with rare and ancient kayada compositions.

Starting at the age of seven, Milind Kulkarni learned fast under the tutelage of successive gurus - Vasantrao Gurav, Anna Diwan, and Pramod Marathe. He still studies under Marathe with occasional instructions on melodic accompaniment from Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar and Pandit Suresh Talwalkar.

Musicians
Supreet Deshpande (tabla)
Milind Kulkarni (harmonium)

Tabla solo in Teental

Filmed and recorded live at Mulshi, Maharashtra