Rupak Kumar Pandit started playing tabla at young age.
He started his basic training with his father Shri Naresh Kumar Pandit, who himself is a respected disciple of Pt.Chottelal Mishra from Benares, India.
At the age of 13 Rupak became 'Gandha bandh' disciple of PT Chottelal Mishra and he went to Benares for several months to learn the authentic traditional playing methods of Benaras Gharana in the lineage of Grand Guru ji the late Pt.Anokhelal Mishra (The wizzard of the one-finger 'na dhin dhin na' and 'dhire dhire ').
The main speciality of this particular style of Tabla is that it`s famous for it`s elegant and difficult playing and making it sound very simple and natural. The focus is very much on clarity, openness in sound, as the 'Benaras Bhaj' is a 'Purab Bhaj' style of Tabla. Meaning it has a big influence of Pakhawaj playing and dept and great rhythmical appearances in playing.
The Banaras Bhaj is famous to adapt with any style of music, weather it be Kathak, tabla solo, accompany on Sarod, Vocal or Sitar or Santoor.
Because of it reachability of sound, tonal clarity, speed, Bayan work (bass drum) it`s very easy to adopt to the kind of accompany that is required.
Rupak Kumar Pandit has played with many top musicians;
- Darshan Kumari (Sitar),
- PT.Ashok Pathak (Sitar),
- Siddharth Kishna (Sitar),
- PT Nandkishore Mulle (Santoor),
- Rohan Dasgupta (Sitar),
- Martijn Baaijens (Sarod),
- Avi Kishna (Sarod),
- Satyakam Mohkamsingh (Violin),
- Rishi Dhir (Khyaal/vocal),
- Aura Rascon (Bansoori)
Rupak`s dream and mission is to spread the love of music and to keep the tradition of Benares Gharana alive...