Mayookh Bhaumik upbeat about concert with Alam Khan

Sarod player Alam Khan

(youngest son of

Ustad Ali Akbar Khan

) and

tabla player Mayookh Bhaumik

recently performed a full-length Indian classical concert from California and Kolkata respectively for the Saptak Music Festival.

“When Alam bhai proposed the idea, I was a bit nervous for two reasons — I would be playing for the first time with a musician of his caliber and it would be a full concert classical accompaniment to a pre-recorded recital. That meant it would have to be absolutely flawless. But I took it up as a challenge and I feel we didn’t fail miserably,” said Mayookh, adding, “I have to thank my technical crew of

Ajit Prasad

, Amir Mondal and Avik Maity, without whom it wouldn’t be possible to do this.”

When we asked Alam about the experience, he said “This was very different and challenging experiment, especially in the context of

Indian classical performance

as a form. I think we’re the first generation of classical performers to have ever done this.”

The concert was recorded and shot by Alam Khan in California with an

electronic tabla track

. “Later I replaced the tabla track with complete accompaniment and intermittent solos to fashion a seamless concert performance. Certainly, this is the first time we have tried this and I hope people will enjoy it. Thank god, there were no technical glitches,” said Mayookh.