Google Doodle remembers Tabla maestro Pt Lachhu Maharaj, one of the finest but little-known musicians of the Banaras Gharana on his birth anniversary.
The doodle showed Lachhu Maharaj drawn in primary colours of blue, red, yellow and green. He is seen playing the tabla for his audience, with a grin on his face and a look of contentment on his eyes. It is made by guest artist Sajid Shaikh, Google blog said.
Born as Lakshmi Narayan Singh on this day in 1944, Lachhu Maharaj came from a family of musicians.
He trained under his father Vasudev Maharaj to become one of the most celebrated tabla players of his time. He also started with public performance at an early age.
At the tender age of eight, he caught the attention of Ahmed Jaan Thirakwa considered a legend at that time.
The man whose name was synonymous with tabla, had said, “Kaash Lachhu mera beta hota (I wish Lachhu was my son)”. Despite playing the purbi ang, Maharaj could play the styles of all four tabla gharanas.
He was awarded the 1957 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, the highest award for performing artists, conferred by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama.
Lachhu Maharaj gained fame through his acute practice in both the independent tabla player and the accompaniment. He died on July 27, 2016. His funeral was done on Manikarnika Ghat of Benaras.
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