Ananda Gopal Bandopadhyay- The renowned tabla artist of Banaras Gharana

Ananda Gopal Bandopadhyay is a well-known musician and tabla artist who follows Banaras tradition of Hindustani music. He has accompanied many notable vocal musicians, apart from giving solo performances and has also done solo recordings. His son Pran Gopal Bandopadhyay is also a tabla player. He also has good depth of knowledge in vocal Hindustani music, which he learnt from his father Radha Gopal Bandopadhyay.

Ananda Gopal Bandopadhyay was born in UP in 1943. He was initially trained in Hindustani music by his father before he switched over to tabla. He came to limelight for the first time when he received first prize in The All India Radio music competition in 1965 and has been awarded the gold medal by President of India. He taught music at ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata and many other institutions, and is an A-grade artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan. He is married to Rekha Bandopadhyay and has two children. His son is a tabla player and daughter is a vocalist.

Ananda Gopal Bandopadhyay – Some interesting facts

1. Though he belonged to a family of Hindustani vocalists, he chose musical instrument tabla.

2. His father Pandit Mahadeo Prasad Misra was a Hindustani vocalist belonging to Banaras gharana.

3. He is a valued member of Akashvani radio station’s Audition Committee.

4. He has been previously associated with Song & Drama Division, All India Radio, Delhi station and the Amir Khusro Society, Chicago.

5. He has taught Music & Fine Arts, University of Delhi.

6. Emperor of Ethiopia presented him with a Gold Medal in 1970.

7. He is a top grade artist at AIR.