Pt. Bikram Ghosh.

Pt. Bickram Ghosh, one of India’s most celebrated tabla maestros and fusion musicians 👇

Full Name: Bickram Ghosh

Profession: Tabla Maestro, Percussionist, Composer, Music Director

Born: 20 October 1966 (Kolkata, West Bengal, India)

Genres: Indian Classical, Fusion, World Music, Film Music

Instruments: Tabla, various Indian and global percussion instruments

👨‍👩‍👦 Early Life & Family

Bickram Ghosh was born into a musical family in Kolkata.

His father, Pandit Shankar Ghosh, was a renowned tabla maestro.

His mother, Sanjukta Ghosh, is a classical vocalist of the Patiala Gharana.

Growing up in this artistic environment, Bickram was exposed to classical and rhythmic traditions from a very young age.

🎓 Education

He studied at South Point School and later at Presidency College, Kolkata.

He completed a Master’s degree in English Literature from the University of Calcutta.

However, his real education came from years of training under his father and exposure to legendary musicians.

🪘 Musical Training & Style

Trained primarily under Pandit Shankar Ghosh, Bickram mastered the Farukhabad gharana of tabla playing.

He is known for his innovative approach, blending traditional tabla rhythms with contemporary and global sounds — jazz, rock, flamenco, and African percussion.

His style combines technical brilliance, clarity of tone, and creative improvisation.

🌏 Career Highlights

Classical Performances:

Bickram has accompanied great maestros such as:

Pandit Ravi Shankar

Ustad Amjad Ali Khan

Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

Girija Devi and many others

Fusion & Global Collaborations:

He founded several fusion bands:

Rhythmscape (his most famous world music project)

GLOBO

Karma

These projects blend Indian classical percussion with world rhythms and electronic textures.

Film Music:

Bickram has composed music for Bollywood, Tollywood (Bengali films), and international cinema.

Notably collaborated with Sonu Nigam on the music for the film Jal (shortlisted for the Oscars 2014).

Composed for films like Shabdo, Egaro, Mukhomukhi, and Yoddha.

Worked on One Day: Justice Delivered (2019) and Panchabhutam (concept album).

🏆 Awards & Achievements

Recipient of several national and international music awards.

His album Rhythmscape (2001) became a landmark in Indian fusion music.

Sangeet Mahasamman by the Government of West Bengal.

Nominated and recognized for contributions to Indian film and world music.

🎶 Collaboration with Pandit Ravi Shankar

Bickram toured globally with Pandit Ravi Shankar for several years.

He played a major role in Ravi Shankar’s later recordings and concerts, including collaborations that reached international audiences.

💫 Other Contributions

Educator: Conducts workshops and lectures on rhythm and world music.

Entrepreneur: Runs his own recording studio in Kolkata.

Author: Has written on rhythm and musical creativity.

🧠 Musical Philosophy

Bickram Ghosh believes in “tradition through innovation” — respecting classical roots while experimenting with new sounds and modern formats.

He often says:

> “Rhythm is the heartbeat of existence. Everything moves to a rhythm — from breath to the universe.”