Pandit Prabhakar Patwardhan
Autobiography of Pandit Prabhakar V. Patwardhan also known as Bapu Patwardhan
A Note by Peyman Nasehpour: Many years ago, I established a discussion forum for tabla, and after my invitation, many great masters of tabla including Pandit Bapu Patwardhan joined the group. In 2002, he shared his autobiography and picture that I can publish on my web. He passed away on the 13th of June 2019. I bring the autobiography here:
I obtained instructional Tabla Training as per the Guru-Shishya Parampara from -
1. Late - Pt. Gopalrao Patwardhan (My uncle) about accompaniment - 8 to 15 years of age.
2. Late - Pt. Govindrao Parastwar - Solo training for about 3 to 4 years.
3. Late - Padmabhushan Ustad Ahmed Jan Khan "Thirakwa" through N.C.P.A. from the end of 1972 to the end of 1975.
I was employed by Central Railway, one of the Zonal Railways of Indian Railways. Serve for 39 years and retired in 1992. It was not possible to be active in the tabla field during the service. I have devoted my entire life to this instrument, only after retirement.
I wish to bring out the beauty of this instrument with the help of instructional training received by me from my guru Ustad Thirakwa who is known as a pioneer of solo performance. He has developed many concepts of Abhijaat Shastriya Sangeet in his play. At the age of 98, he could be in a position to produce the same effect in his performance as a young. His play was an example for youngsters. He developed a unique tonal quality with ease through his presentation. He proved that tabla can explore an exceptional tonal quality if handled with love.
I published a book on this subject on the eve of his 25th death anniversary in March 2001. The book is written in the Indian National language, 'Hindi'.
See a list of tabla masters