As long as I am alive, I will practice music Shashiprabha Tiwari meets young artist Nishit Gangani New Delhi.

Young tabla player Nishit Gangani started playing tabla at the age of three. Nishit started learning at this age. Nishit belongs to the Gangani family of Jaipur Gharana. In this way, he has got this art in his family tradition. Pandit Fateh Singh Gangani is his Guru. Nishit presented his playing in Dum Dum Classical Music Festival and Lalit Arpan Samaroh. He spent his entire time during Covid in Riyaz so that he could improve his playing further.

Nishit is very careful about his personality and fitness. Nishit seems to be full of potential.

How did you start playing tabla?
Nishit Gangani–My mother tells me that I started learning music when I was three years old. I was introduced to music since childhood. This is all I have known. Music will always be my main focus. I am a devotee of classical music. I worship it. Perhaps, as long as I am alive, I will live for this. Now I understand why my mother wanted me to learn Kathak dance in my childhood.

I did it for some time, but the tabla attracted me more. I initially learnt Kathak dance and also learnt music for some time. I wanted to learn to play the sitar. But despite a lot of effort, I could not do it. My Guru Ji gave me my first pair of Tabla. My mother used to take me to every programme of Guru Ji and Bade Papa. My mother gave me the initial training. When I was ten years old, I started learning from Guru Ji and Papa Ji. I was never taught by intimidation.

Who inspired you?
Nishit Gangani- My Guruji and my parents have constantly supported me. He also inspired me to learn tabla. I am fortunate to have had the opportunity to play tabla in front of Pandit Birju Maharaj on his 80th birthday. He blessed me a lot. I also got the opportunity to play tabla in front of Ustad Amjad Ali ji.

I am very impressed by my elder father i.e. Pandit Rajendra Gangani. Even today he does his regular riyaaz every day. He is also very careful about his food. He usually does not eat after four in the evening. I remember that once he was injured in a terrible road accident. He was able to recover from it due to his strong will and morale. This inspires us. We bow to his spirit of dedication towards his art.

The elders in our family teach us many things knowingly or unknowingly. It is our responsibility to follow their teachings. I want to keep my parents and teachers’ heads high. My mother points out my shortcomings and mistakes. She tells me to improve them. I like her attitude that she takes great care of me. I get applause from the audience. But, I am not satisfied until my mother says that I played well today. I want to give them happiness with my art.

How do you dream about art?
Nishit Gangani–This year I got the opportunity to play in Aditi Mangaldas’ Drishtikshan Foundation’s presentation ‘Lost in the Forest’ at NCPA Mumbai. This program was on 9th August. I was a little nervous. But when I got praise from people after the program, I became confident. While playing in front of Ustad Zakir Hussain ji and Pandit Suresh Talwarkar ji at the function organized on the occasion of Ustad Allah Rakha Khan sahab’s death anniversary, I felt like I was sitting for a very big exam. But, hearing their praise after the program was a great gift. I consider myself blessed.

After the program, during dinner, Ustaad ji said that since you have come from Delhi, you should eat biryani. He himself served it to me with his own hands. This was a big thing for me. Such praises boost the morale of artists like us. I want to keep getting the blessings of my parents and guidance of my Gurus so that I can move ahead towards my goal. This is my dream.

Which qualities of your Guru do you want to adopt?
Nishit Gangani–These days I am studying in college. I also participate in programs. That is why I practice at night with peace of mind. Usually, I practice from 12 in the night till 6 in the morning. Wherever I am, I try to practice for at least an hour or two.

My Guruji’s way of living is unique. He lives a very restrained and disciplined life. He switches off his phone at 10 pm. Then he goes to sleep. He lives his life very simply. He says that we are connected to music to attain inner peace. This should always be kept in mind. We should always pray that Maa Saraswati should make us sit on the stage with respect and we should get down from there with respect. Our welfare lies in this only.

Tell us something about a memorable performance?
Nishit Gangani—I try to be with Guruji as much as possible. Some time ago, Bade Papa had a program in Nagpur. I had to play tabla with him. I was leaving the airport and putting my luggage in the cab when I got a cut on my right palm from the broken glass of the side mirror. The bleeding was not stopping, so I had to get stitches done in the hospital. After getting dressing done in the hospital, I went straight to the auditorium. There I played for one and a half hour in Bade Papa’s program.

I had the blessings and grace of my Gurus that day that I was able to play. In that ceremony Pandit Hariprasad ji had conferred the Shanmukhanand Samman on Bade Papa.