Born in 1952 in one of India’s most respected and well-known families of great musicians of the Benaras heritage, Pt Pooran Maharaj is the son of late Padma Vibhushan Pt Kishan Maharaj.

He took Tabla training from his grandfather, Pt Kanthe Maharaj, the legendary Tabla genius of his time and later, from his father. Receiving well this nearly 400 year old Tabla-heritage, he has performed with great musicians such as Pt Ravi Shankar, Pt Birju Maharaj, Pt Gopi Kishan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pt Raajan & Saajan Mishra, Smt Girja Devi, Ustad Nishat Khan, Ustad Ashish Khan, Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Pt Ronu Majumdaar, Pt Tarun Bhattacharya, Pt Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, and many others.

He has been appointed by the Government of India to represent, promote and teach Tabla through ICCR, in South American countries, Canada, USA and UK. He teaches his disciples the intricacies of creating complicated Paltaas (variations) and Tihaais (calculated syllables that are played three times in order to finish the rhythmic cycle) spontaneously. (via Jay Dabgar)

Pt Pooran Maharaj will be giving a tabla masterclass in Oxley on Sunday 20th September. Beginners 9-10am, Intermediate 10am-130pm, Advanced 10am-4pm. Enquiries Shen 0415106428 or email shen@sangeetmela.org.