Biography
Pandit Kamalesh Maitra holds recognition as the "last" master of the tabla tarang, a set of ten to 16 tabla drums whose name means "drums of waves." The instrument merges rhythm, melody, and harmony into one continuous sonic wave. Since establishing residence in Germany in 1982, Maitra has appeared with dance ensembles and on concert stages across Europe and Asia. The Boston Phoenix observed that "far from an eccentric novelty, (Maitra) is simply one of the great drummers of India to record in this century."
Maitra issued his first recording, Masters of Raga: Kamalesh Maitra, on the German Wergo label in 1993, then brought out his initial American-distributed album, Tabla Tarang -- Melody on Drums, in 1996. That release included Trilok Gurtu on the standard two-drum tabla and Laura Patchen on tampura, prompting Option to call it "a historic world music milestone."
Maitra issued his first recording, Masters of Raga: Kamalesh Maitra, on the German Wergo label in 1993, then brought out his initial American-distributed album, Tabla Tarang -- Melody on Drums, in 1996. That release included Trilok Gurtu on the standard two-drum tabla and Laura Patchen on tampura, prompting Option to call it "a historic world music milestone."
Albums
