This is a book for tabla-players and those who want to learn more about North Indian drumming. For the first time the hitherto unpublished repertoire of the Laliyana gharana of Ustad Munir Khan is unlocked for the tabla-playing world. Now students of tabla have access to the untold treasures of this exclusive heritage which was available only to initiated disciples. Based on his twenty-four years of apprenticeship with the late tabla virtuoso, Pandit Nikhil Ghosh, the author presents his entire repertoire of traditional tabla compositions in a meticulously transcribed and annotated form, along with recorded examples on 2 Audio CDs. The accompanying text gives a wealth of information, explanation and helpful advice. Having learnt from Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh, Ustad Amir Hussian Khan and Ustad Ahmedjan Thirakwa, Nikhil Ghosh inherited a choice repertoire of tabla compositions from the traditions of Delhi, Ajrada, Lucknow, Farukhabad, and Punjab. Many more delightful pieces were added by the two great composers, Amir Hussian Khan and Jnan Prakash Ghosh. Nikhil Ghosh described his role as a guru, as a filter who selects and passes on only the best part of the repertoire to his disciples and discards what he deems unfit for further consideration. His aim was, to improve the quality of the repertoire and make good music available to all.
