Prelims – Current events of national importance
Mains - Indian culture | Indian Music Heritage
Why in News?
The Department of Posts, Government of India, will release a commemorative stamp to honour Pandit Chatur Lal in his centenary year celebrations.
- He was the 1st Indian percussionist to introduce tabla to the West in the 1950s.
- Born in – Udaipur.
- Chatur Lal came from a family of court musicians and farmers.
- Musical Career - He learned tabla under the aegis of Ustad Abdul Hafiz Ahmed Khan, who trained from Jehangir Khan, the court musician of Indore who had trained in the Farukhabad and Lucknow styles.
- He played a crucial role in connecting Indian classical rhythms with Western music, paving the way for subsequent Indo-jazz ensembles such as Shakti.
- In 1952, Menuhin (American-born British violinist) visited India experienced a private concert featuring Shankar and Chatur Lal, which profoundly impacted him.
- Awards – He was the first Indian percussionist to be nominated at the Oscars in 1957 for his work in the Canadian short film A Chairy Tale.
- He was honoured with a Special BAFTA Award.
- Passed away in – 1965.
Reference
The Indian Express | Pandit Chatur Lal
