Women of Substance

WHOEVER SAID THAT PLAYING THE TABLA WAS ONLY FOR MEN SHOULD MEET ANURADHA PAL  At 26, she is already the country's first professional women soloist playing that difficult instrument.Pal is currently basking in the glory of having scored the background music for MF Hussiain's Gaja Gamani . His zest for life inspires her tremendously. He in turn chose her because she understood  the Indian women better than male musician. The road to success has been long and arduous-8 to 9 hours of riyaz every day under the tutelage of of  Ustad Allah Rakha Khan and Ustad Zakir Hussain. And making a name in a predominantly male world was, not surprisingly difficult. Four years ago formed India's first all-woman percussionbased classical ensemble that brought together Hindustani classical ensemble that brought together Hindustani classical and Carnatic styles of music. The band recently released its first album, Stree Shakti. She has three other albmus-Anoukha, Shanti and Sensational , a live performance with sitarist Shaheed Parvez  in Australia, wich will be realeased this month. It's an experience to watch her perform, much like her famous teacher, Zakir Hussain. Within minutes her hands furiously quiver across the tabla, her lips curl, clumps of hair bob merrily on dem with the beat. The dupatta slips down to her arms. She has transcended into a different orbit. The sounds that emerge are mesmerising. She plays an ode to Mumbai's monsoon because it's so unique. "There's nothing like it." unique, indeed. Much like her.    ANURADHA PAL

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