In a career spanning more than fifty years, the late Pandit Kishen Maharaj needs no introduction. One of the finest tabla players of our time, he dominated the world of Indian classical percussion as a true representative of the Banaras Gharana. He was born on in 1923 in Banaras and his father Pandit Hari Maharaj was his first teacher. After his father’s untimely death, his training was taken over by his uncle, Pandit Kanthe Maharaj.

Kishan Maharaj's career began at the tender age of eleven years. His immense versatility in accompaniment, whether with instrumental music, different genres of vocal music or dance has been acknowledged the world over. His ability to play cross rhythms and produce complex calculations, particularly in tihai patterns, had made him one of the most respected and popular tabla players of our time.

His abilities had been recognized time and again and he was heaped with honours. In 1969 he received the title of Sangeet Samrat from the Prayag Sangit Samiti. In 1972 the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi honoured him. The Padmashri came his way in 1973, while in 1984 he received the Sangeet Natak Akademi award. The Hafiz Ali Khan Award came his way in 1986. In 2002, the President of India awarded him the Padma Vibhushan while in that year he was also the recipient of the second Ustad Inayat Khan Memorial award for his contribution to Indian classical music. Pandit Kishan Maharaj passed away a little before midnight on 4th May, 2008, leaving a great void in the world of music.

These are excerpts from his last performance with us, at the ITC Sangeet Sammelan, held at Delhi in February, 2007.