Samar Saha

Rhythm represents life. Music also becomes lively and enjoyable with the help of the rhythm. The slow and fast tempo in soft or bold tones brings tremendous variety to an otherwise monotonous musical event. A matured musician therefore needs a matured percussionist without whom his recital does not bloom.

One such percussionist is Samar Saha. Numerous musical performances by renowned artists started throbbing with life with the magical touch of his fingers on the tabla. He belongs to the Benaras gharana.

Born in Calcutta, Samar's initial training started at very tender age under the guidance of his father Shri Sudhanga Bhusan Saha and brother Shri Tarak Saha - a tabla player of repute. His formal training started under the tutelage of Shri Satchidananda Goswami and then flowered under the able guidance of Shri Krishna Kumar Ganguly (Natubabu) of Benaras gharana. At a very young age Samar showed to be a performer of great promise.

Frequently featured on Radio and TV in their musicals, Samar has participated in almost all the prestigious music conferences in India. His talent took him to the Festival of India, USA. Fame and recognition came his way wherever he performed; be it Bangladesh or Belgium; America, Canada, UK or Germany.

A sought-after tabla accompanist, Samar is successful in both live and recorded performances. As a result he has numerous cassettes albums and compact discs of classical music to his credit.

Samar Saha is a full time faculty member of Sangeet Research Academy since its very inception in 1978. According to Prakash Wadhera, a well-known music critic, "ITC is extremely fortunate in having the services of ace tabla player Samar Saha. Effortless and unobtrusive, Samar seems to have attained the very perfection in the art of rhythmic accompaniment.."