Sandeep Das Explained

Sandeep Das(সন্দীপ দাস)
Birth Place:Patna, Bihar, India
Instrument:Tabla
Genre:Indian classical music, Classical Crossover
Occupation:Tabla Player, Composer, Educator
Years Active:fl. ca. 1985–present
Associated Acts:Silk Road Ensemble, Hum Ensemble

Sandeep Das is an Indian tabla player and composer currently based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States.

His collaboration with Yo-Yo Ma for The Silk Road Ensemble - Sing Me Home - won the Grammy award for Best World Music Album at the 59th Grammy Awards, 2017.[1] He was previously nominated twice for the Grammy Award in 2005 and 2009.[2] [3] [4] [5]

Early life and education

Sandeep Das was born in Patna, Bihar, India.[6] His family was originally from Chandannagar, West Bengal, relocating to Patna in the 1970s.[7] Sandeep completed his schooling from St. Xavier's High School, Patna (1975–1985). He graduated in English Literature with gold medal from Banaras Hindu University. He first began learning Tabla under Pt. Shiv Kumar Singh at the age of 8.[8]

Benares Gharana

Sandeep started learning from Kishan Maharaj, under the Indian Guru-shishya tradition, at the age of 9.[9] Sandeep would travel on weekends from his home in Patna, to Benaras, where his Guru lived. Later, his family shifted to Benares so that his musical education could continue unhindered.After 11 years of learning the Benaras Gharana style of Tabla playing, Das moved to Delhi in 1990, to pursue his career as a professional Tabla player.[10]

Career

Indian Classical Music

In 1986, Sandeep made his stage debut in India (at the age of 15), with Sitar maestro Ravi Shankar.[11] He was three times the national drumming champion. He was also, at the time, the youngest drummer to be graded by Akashvani (radio broadcaster) (All India Radio).[12] Das moved to Delhi in 1990 to pursue his career as a professional Tabla player, and began playing with prominent musicians such as Shubha Mudgal, Amjad Ali Khan, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shivkumar Sharma, and Shujaat Khan among others.

World Music

In 1991, Das debuted outside India, with steel drum bands in Trinidad. In 2001, he performed with the New York Philharmonic, under the direction of Kurt Masur for a work composed by Kayhan Kalhor.[13] In April 2012, he premiered a work written for him by eminent composer Evan Ziporyn, as a soloist with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project.[14] [15] His composition Tarang is the theme music for Blind Sight,[16] a documentary about the first Mount Everest climb by six blind climbers.

He has been nominated for the Grammy Awards twice. In 2003, his recording The Rain was nominated for a Grammy in the World Music category.[17] [18] [19] In this album, Sandeep Das collaborated with Shujaat Khan and Kayhan Kalhor. In 2009, a recording with Silk Road Ensemble got him a nomination for the Grammy in the Classical Crossover section for the album Off the Map. His track Sulvasutra, composed by Evan Ziporyn,[20] features in this album.[21] [22]

Silk Road Project

Sandeep has composed for and performed internationally with the Silk Road Ensemble of Yo-Yo Ma since the group's founding in 2000.[23] [24] When he started playing with the Silk Road, Yo-Yo Ma was surprised to learn that, Das did not read music scores, but could memorize a piece.[25]

With the ensemble, he has performed extensively, including, the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York in 2008, BBC Proms in 2004 and 2009, and the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympic Games in Shanghai.[26] His composition Mohini, is the theme music for a 10-episode documentary on the Silk Road, produced by Japanese TV channel NHK.[27]

Hum Ensemble

Also a cultural and educational entrepreneur, Sandeep founded HUM (Harmony and Universality through Music) in 2009, an ensemble of world-class artists, to promote global understanding through musical performance and education. The ensemble was inspired by the Silk Road Project and Yo-Yo Ma's vision to connect the world through music.[28] In March 2010, HUM presented its World Premiere Concert at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi and Birla Sabhaghar, Kolkatta.[29] In February 2011, the HUM Ensemble performed its Rhythm of Life Concert at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi[30] [31] [32] and NCPA, Mumbai.[33]

In November 2012, its World Harmony Concert was performed at the Kamani Auditorium in New Delhi,[34] and the concert received critical acclaim in the Indian media.[35] Through these concerts, HUM raises funds for its endeavors to support education in arts of differently-abled children. HUM also plans to provide health insurance for aging artists.

The HUM Ensemble now tours extensively in the United States and has recently performed at venues like the National Gallery of Art,[36] Carolina Performing Arts,[37] and Cal Performances.[38]

Mentoring

In 2012, Sandeep Das was invited by the Harvard Graduate School of Education[39] [40] [41] to teach a course on Arts in Education. He has given masterclasses at Juilliard School of Music, Berklee College[42] of Music, Rhode Island School of Design,[43] [44] Harvard University Academy of Music in Villecroze, France and Stanford University.[45]

Original compositions

Sandeep's compositions exhibit both the Western and Indian genres of music. He has composed multiple pieces over the years including Soul Mitra (2019),Vaishnavi (2018), Vairocana (2018) King Ashoka (2016), If You Shall Return (2016), Mohini (2006), Srishti (2005), and Tarang (2002).[46]

Vaishnavi (2018)

Vaishnavi was inspired by a ninth century statue of Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi as the Goddess Parvati on display at the Smithsonian Freer | Sackler galleries in Washington, D.C, and was commissioned by the Freer | Sackler from Silkroad in honor of Julian Raby through a generous gift from Jeffrey P. Cunard. The piece begins with an alap between the Sheng (Chinese Mouth Organ) and Bass that transitions to the rhythm cycle, Jhaptaal.[47] Vaishnavi was originally performed as a trio of Tabla, Sheng, and Bass, but has been performed in several alternate instrumentations such as Tabla and Bass. The piece can currently be heard playing in the museum on its audio tour.

Discography

Awards and recognition

Personal life

Sandeep Das resides in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He met his future wife Tripti while they were members of the National Cadet Corps, at the 1985 Republic Day celebrations of India.[60] They have two daughters, Sakshi and Sonakshi.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Proud to represent India at Grammys: Sandeep Das. Deccan Herald. 13 February 2017. 2017-02-13.
  2. News: Grammy nomination for Indian. https://archive.today/20130126040521/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-12-09/news-and-interviews/28219936_1_grammy-nomination-album-win-win-situation. dead. 26 January 2013. 10 December 2012. 9 December 2010. Biswadeep Ghosh. The Times of India. TNN.
  3. News: Tabla artist Sandeep Das's album bags Grammy nod. 10 December 2012. NDTV. 8 December 2010. Press Trust of India.
  4. News: Album Featuring Sandeep Das Won Grammy Nomination. 10 December 2012. Jagran Josh. 9 December 2010.
  5. News: India's Own Tabla Maestro Sandeep Das Wins Grammy Award . 13 February 2017. The Quint.
  6. Web site: Grammy winner Sandeep Das has a Patna connect . Hindustan Times. 15 February 2017 . 19 February 2017.
  7. Web site: Rhythm of tabla born in Bihar. https://web.archive.org/web/20170214212409/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170214/jsp/frontpage/story_135635.jsp#.WKbLEvLF8fB. dead. 14 February 2017.
  8. News: Tabla Wizard. The Statesman. 17 October 2005.
  9. Web site: The Banaras Gharana Speaks: Family and Disciples Pay Tribute to a Legend. Kavita Chhibber. kavitachhibber.com. 10 December 2012.
  10. News: Tabla is life for Sandeep Das. 10 December 2012. Dainik Jagran.
  11. News: Arghya Ganguly. My PR is zero in India. 25 December 2010. The Times of India. 31 December 2012.
  12. Web site: Greater Voice. 27 March 2011. Neeraj Bhushan. 10 December 2012.
  13. Web site: Music & Artists. Sandeep Das. Silk Road project. 31 December 2012.
  14. News: Keeping Score. 11 December 2012. TimeOut, Mumbai. 27 April 2012.
  15. Web site: Evan Ziporyn's "Big Grenadilla / Mumbai". I Care If You Listen. 6 July 2012.
  16. Web site: Blind Sight. Blind Sight, The Movie.
  17. News: Tabla beats: Out to get the Grammy. HT West Delhi Live. 13 December 2003. Punya Prava Rath.
  18. News: Percussion Magic. Sahara Time. 30 December 2003. Deepak Parvatiyar.
  19. News: Shujaat Khan & Sandeep Das nominated for Grammies. Bombay Times. 24 December 2003. Viral Bhayani. Times News Network.
  20. Web site: Magnificent Silk Road. CD Reviews. 10 December 2009 . World Music Central. 18 December 2012.
  21. News: Roll of Honour. Express Newsline. 13 December 2010. Suanshu Khurana.
  22. News: Grammy nomination for Indian. Bombay Times. 9 December 2010. Biswadeep Ghosh. Times News Network.
  23. Web site: Silk Road Ensemble, Artists, Sandeep Das. Silk Road Project.
  24. News: Tabla Taals Sprakle Westward. The Pioneer. 30 November 2001.
  25. News: Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project aims to pull cultures together. 15 April 2006. Chelsea Phua. Assosciated press.
  26. News: Patna to NYC. HT Dwarka Connect. 28 October 2010.
  27. Web site: Cellist Yo-Yo Ma & The Silk Road Ensemble Continue Their Exploration of the Links Between Eastern & Western Music. World Music Central.org. 25 May 2005 . 11 December 2012.
  28. Web site: HUM Ensemble. Sandeep Das. en. 2019-09-21.
  29. News: Sandeep Das and The Hum Ensemble. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114731/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToPrint_TOINEW&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=TOIKM/2010/03/11&ID=Pc00417. dead. 4 March 2016. 11 December 2012. The Times of India. 11 March 2010.
  30. News: The spirit of Hum. 11 December 2012. Business Standard. 20 February 2011. Shubhra Mujumdar.
  31. Web site: Photogallery. 'Hum Ensemble' band rehearsals. The Times of India, Delhi. 11 December 2012.
  32. Web site: The Rhythm of Life Concert. Your Entertainment And Food Guide. Buzz in Town. 11 December 2012.
  33. Web site: The Rhythm of Life Concert. Events. Burrp!. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110227015310/http://mumbai.burrp.com/events/nehru-centre-auditorium_the-rhythm-of-life-concert-_worli_mumbai/1915138118. 27 February 2011.
  34. News: Crossover melody. 11 December 2012. The Times of India. 21 November 2012. Piyali Dasgupta.
  35. News: An ensemble of world musicians. 11 December 2012. Deccan Herald. 20 November 2012. Archana Mishra.
  36. Web site: Sandeep Das and the HUM Ensemble - National Gallery of Art . nga.gov . National Gallery of Art . 3 December 2022.
  37. Web site: Delhi to Damascus - Carolina Performing Arts . carolinaperformingarts.org . Carolina Performing Arts . 3 December 2022.
  38. Web site: Sandeep Das and the HUM Ensemble; Delhi to Damascus . calperformances.org . 3 December 2022.
  39. Web site: Arts & Culture. On the Silk Road again. Harvard Gazette. 27 September 2011. 31 December 2012.
  40. Web site: Arts & Culture. Sounds of the Silk Road. Harvard gazette. 26 January 2012. 31 December 2012.
  41. Web site: The Silk Road Project, Rhode Island School of Design and Harvard University, Announce New Educational Collaborations. Press Release. Harvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences. 31 December 2012.
  42. https://www.berklee.edu/ Berklee Homepage | Berklee
  43. Web site: Silk Road Project Residencies at RISD. Programs. Silk Road Project. 31 December 2012.
  44. Web site: The Silk Road Project's Spring 2009 Residency at Rhode Island School of Design. Press Releases. Rhode Island School of Design. 31 December 2012.
  45. Web site: Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble Documentary, The Road to Beijing. Stanford Program on International & Cross-Cultural Education. SPICE Publications. 31 December 2012.
  46. Web site: Compositions. Sandeep Das. en. 2019-09-21.
  47. Web site: Compositions Sandeep Das. Tabla Maestro Sandeep Das. en. 2020-02-10.
  48. Web site: In A Circle Records. 2020-08-15. inacircle-records.com.
  49. Web site: Sony Corporation of America: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble Releases New Album Featuring Special Guests Including Rhiannon Giddens, Bill Frisell, Sarah Jarosz, Abigail Washburn, Gregory Porter And Others. www.sony.com. en. 2017-02-13.
  50. Web site: Diva Girija Devi. 2020-08-15. www.amazon.com.
  51. Web site: The Silk Road Ensemble With Yo-Yo Ma Continues To Cross Musical Boundaries with the Release of a Playlist Without Borders. Sony. 18 October 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131019130222/http://www.sony.com/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-music-entertainment/2013/the-silk-road-ensemble-with-yo-yo-ma-continues-to-.shtml. 19 October 2013.
  52. News: Keeping Score. 16 December 2012. Time Out Mumbai. 27 April 2012. Aditya Kundalkar.
  53. Web site: My Inspirations by Amjad Ali Khan. 2020-08-15. Apple Music. en-us.
  54. Web site: Sonata by Ayaan Ali Bangash. 2020-08-15. Apple Music. 17 January 2006. en-us.
  55. Web site: Check out Sandeep Das's work on @masscultural's gallery! . massculturalcouncil.org . Mass Cultural Council . 3 December 2022.
  56. Web site: John Simon Guggenheim Foundation Sandeep Das. en-US. 2019-06-14.
  57. Web site: Live Arts Boston 2018 Grantees. www.tbf.org. 2019-06-14.
  58. Web site: Meet the 14 Brother Thomas Fellows. www.tbf.org. 2019-06-14.
  59. Web site: Grammy Winner Tabla Maestro Sandeep Das to Receive Artist of the Year Award at New England Choice Awards Gala. indianewengland.com. 18 October 2017. 2019-06-14.
  60. News: Striking his own beat, his own rhythm. The Hindu. 7 May 2004.

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