Prahlad Tipanya – The most compelling folk voices of Kabir in India today

One of the most compelling folk voices of Kabir in India today, Prahlad Tipanya is an authenticated voice of Kabir bhajans in the Malwi folk style. This veteran folk singer and musician is quite regular in Kabir music festivals. He feels that Kabir is scientific. He is associated with ‘Ekalavya’ organization, and is regular performer at AIR and Doordarshan since 1980s. He uses musical instruments like dholak, harmonium, tambura, manjira, timki, khartal and violin for his stage performances, and he is always accompanied by a troupe of percussionists. His countless cassettes and CDs on Kabir Keertans have already made him a household name among the devotees.

This folk singer hails from Luniakhedi village of Tarana in Madhya Pradesh. He was born in 1954 into Malwi Balai community. He got drawn towards Kabir through his school books, and slowly developed an intense bonding with him. In 1978, at the age of 24, he got drawn towards the music of tambura, a 5-string plucked instrument. He later learnt how to play the musical instrument and sang Kabir bhajans which made him a renowned artist over the years. He learnt to sing Malwi folk bhajans from Chenaji Maru.

Prahlad Tipanya – Some interesting facts

1. Prahlad is a rationalist, who became the Mahant for a brief period and performed rituals to understand the complexity of bhakti and devotion.

2. His life and profession has been documented by Shabnam Virmani, a documentary filmmaker. The project is ‘Ajab Sahar- The Kabir Project’ which includes three documentaries.

3. He runs a program named “Sadguru Kabir Shodh Sansthan”.

4. He taught science at a local school of his village, and doesn’t belong to a family traditionally associated with folk music.

5. He owns a magnetic ability to communicate with his audience, while performing with his string instrument, tambura.

6. His troupe has performed in London (England), US, Pakistan and many other foreign nations.