Bickram Ghosh

Bickram Ghosh
Bickram Ghosh in Kolkata 2011
Background information
Born	(1966-10-20) 20 October 1966 (age 50) Kolkata, West Bengal
Origin	India
Genres	Indian classical music
Occupation(s)	Composer, Percussionist, Actor
Instruments	Tabla
Labels	Folktronic, Angel, Music Today, Sa Re Ga Ma, Music of the World
Website	Bickramghosh.com

Bickram Ghosh (born 20 October 1966) is an Indian tabla player who performs Hindustani classical music and fusion music. His music is strongly influenced by thumri and khayal genres of the Patiala gharana. Ghosh is known to experiment and reinterpret music and culture; he dabbles in a vast repertoire of musical genres, from classical, rock, new-age, fusion to film music.

One of India's greatest Tabla maestros, Bickram Ghosh also holds the rare distinction of being one of the most well- known names in the world of Indo- fusion music. Having performed the world over with the greatest names in classical music (especially Pt. Ravi Shankar with whom he played for over a decade), Bickram went on to form his hugely successful band Rhythmscape which made him one of the most popular musical stars of his generation. Bickram played on four albums that were nominated for Grammies including George Harrison's Brainwashed. He played on "Full Circle" with Pandit Ravi Shankar which won Shankar a Grammy. Bickram's subsequent super successful solo albums like Beyond Rhythmscape, Folktail, Drum Invasion. Kingdom of Rhythm, Interface, Electro classical, Transformation etc. have consolidated his position as a pioneer of a new fusion sound.

Bickram also holds an enviable position as a composer of film music today. Having composed for 21 feature films so far including the Mira Nair presented, Sooni Taraporewala directed Little Zizou, Bickram has now teamed up with Bollywood singing star Sonu Nigam and together the duo have just begun their journey as co- composers in Bollywood with three films, the first of which - Jal, recently made headline news with an Oscar contention for the best original score.

Bickram Ghosh today is a Global sensation in the world of fusion music and performs in some of the most prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall, Kennedy Centre, Royal Albert Hall, Palais De Beaux Arts to a full house . Rhythmscape, Bickram’s band has performed throughout the length and breadth of India made its UK debut in 2003 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. In 2004 Rhythmscape performed at the Forum at Barcelona where the band shared the stage with Sting, Phil Collins, Norah Jones and Bob Dylan. In 2005 yet another concert at the Rhythm Sticks Festival in London the band performed to a sold-out house. The press rightly praised Bickram, “Captivating, colourful and charismatic are the words which popped into my head as I sat enthralled by a performance by one of India’s leading artists.

"The performance was sensational, inspiring and energetic, which is why Bickram and his band are such a success at top venues such as the Royal Albert Hall", Hollie Darken, Essex Observer, UK, 2004. Bickram Ghosh and his band of musicians Rhythmscape attracted a full house at Great Bardfield, Essex.