Today we’d like to introduce you to Maestro Gourisankar.
Gourisankar a leading tabla maestro of the present generation, studied tabla under the able guidance of his father, Pandit Shib Sankar Karmakar. Since 1979, he has been under the tutelage of the tabla Maestro Pandit Sankha Chatteriee.
Gourisankar is an “A” grade Artist of All India Radio and Television. . His talent and creativity are manifest in classical performances, experimental East-West World Music collaboration, and North- South musical interactions. He has performed with most of India’s eminent artists like Pandit Hariprasad Chowrasia, Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan, etc. In world music, performed with world famous Drummer Steve Smith, Grammy winner Mamadou Diabate (Kora Player), World famous Steel Pan player Liam Teague and many others.
In 2008, Gourisankar established the “School of Indian Percussion & Music” (www.austinsipm.org) in Austin, Texas. Many of his students have benefited from his teaching expertise and perform regularly.
Gourisankar worked as a adjunct professor at UT Butler school of Music for three years (Year 2016-19).
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it has not been a smooth road all along. Indian classical music is a very difficult art form to learn, let alone master. I was under the strict tutelage of my Gurus and learned for more than five years before I started performing at the age of eight. I continued to learn and am still learning to this day. It was when I was eighteen that I started playing professionally. Another struggle was financial certainty. Any art form or anybody in the creative arts field knows this. There is never a sense of job security. I was also difficult to get established in my field and for people to know and recognize me. I am glad that my struggles, hard work and passion have finally paid off and I am where I am today.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am proud to bring my art form to such a wide audience. I am proud to have worked with numerous world-class musicians from all around the world.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
There are many layers of success. One is to get recognized in your own field but not just by connoisseurs but also by the mass- by all. I feel I can call myself successful only if I have connected with everybody who is listening to me and my music has touched them somehow.
Pricing:
- $1000/concert (USD)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gourisankar.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gourisankar.karmakar
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC95tOAebzzGLmhev_86XWXQ
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9lMaPLUdYBW0KU5fXwq5Yw
