Shubh Maharaj
Shubh Maharaj is an Indian tabla player of the Benaras gharana. He is the grandson of tabla maestro Pandit Kishan Maharaj and the son of Kathak dancer Pandit Vijay Shankar. Recognized as both a soloist and accompanist, he has performed at leading festivals in India and internationally, and received the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar from the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2018.
Early life and training
Shubh Maharaj was born into a family of musicians in Varanasi. His grandfather, Padma Vibhushan Pandit Kishan Maharaj, was one of the foremost exponents of the tabla, while his father, Pandit Vijay Shankar, was a Kathak dancer and a senior disciple of Pandit Birju Maharaj.At the age of one, his father symbolically dedicated him at the feet of his maternal grandfather, marking his initiation into the art of tabla.
In 1993, he began formal discipleship under Pandit Kishan Maharaj in the Benaras gharana. Their relationship, initially one of grandfather and grandson, evolved into the rigorous bond of guru and shishya. At present he is regarded as the representative of the Benaras gharana of tabla and known for preserving the gharana’s stylistic purity.
Career
Shubh gave his first solo recital at the age of twelve and was described as a child prodigy. Since then, he has performed widely in India and abroad, presenting solo recitals as well as accompanying leading classical musicians.He has performed with artists including Pandit Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Vidushi Girija Devi, Pandit Rajan and Sajan Mishra, Dr. N. Rajam, Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, and Ustad Shahid Parvez., Pandit Rajendra Prasanna. and He also performed before Pandit Ravi Shankar and received his blessings.
Performances
Shubh has appeared at major festivals such as Saptak Festival Sankat Mochan Festival, Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Mahasabha, Shankarlal Festival, Dover Lane Music Conference, Haridas Tansen Samaroh, Uttarpara Sangeet Chakra, and others.His international appearances include
WOMAD Festival
Auckland Arts Festival
ICCR Festival of India, Suriname
Darbar Festival
Sydney Opera House,
Queen Elizabeth Hall
Shine Auditorium.
Awards and recognition
Kashi Yuva Gaurav,Yuva Ratna,
Sangeet Samriddhi Samman,
Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar