Abhiman Kaushal
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Brief biography
Abhiman Kaushal is an outstanding tabla artist who is much sought after for his sensitive accompaniment and intense solo playing.
He represents the Farukkabad and Lucknow styles of tabla. Having been initiated into the art by his father R. B. Kaushal, who was a disciple of the legendary Ustad Amir Hussain Khan, Abhiman later continued his training under the famous Ustad Sheikh Dawood of Hyderabad, India, and the Ustad’s senior most disciple, Pandit B. Nandkumar. Abhiman has accompanied most of the leading musicians, singers and dancers of North Indian classical music. He has toured around the world performing in prestigious venues. He has numerous recordings and world music collaborations. He has recorded a soundtrack for National Geographc’sMan Eaters of North India, for Zoolander movie and has performed for MTV’s Aerosmith icon show in front of a live audience.
He was the solo featured musician for the acclaimed electronic dance drama Ramayana 2k3 which won rave reviews in Los Angeles and New York City.
As of April 6, 2017, Abhiman is on faculty at UCLA and UCR as Director of the North Indian Classical Music ensembles.
Grammy
He is also a professor at the department of ethnomusicology, UCLA.
Grammy Award winning album White Sun II has a strong Indian connection. With popular names such as Adam Berry (best known for his background score in South Park), Gurujas and Hari Jiwan Singh Khalsa, this time the band has roped in the noted tabla player Abhiman Kaushal.
White Sun II, which won the 59th Grammy for being the Best New Age Album on Sunday, features Kaushal along with Grammy-winning kora player Mamadou Diabate, and violinist Gabe Witcher this time.
Kaushal, originally from Hyderabad, currently works as the Adjunct Associate Professor at the department of ethnomusicology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
According to his bio on the official UCLA website, Kaushal has accompanied several leading musicians, singers and dancers of North Indian classical music. He has also recorded a soundtrack for National Geographic's Man Eaters of North India and the movie Zoolander.
Recordings
Notable Recordings:
• Passages, with Ravi Shankar and Philip Glass, 1989, Released by Private Music
• Ravi Shankar in Venice, with Ravi Shankar, 1991, Released by Edelweiss
• Farewell my friend with Ravi Shankar, April 1995, Released by EMI
• Shams with Shujaat Khan and Katayoun Goudarzi, 2008, Released by Shujaat Husain Khan, Katayoun Goudarzi
• Delbar with Shujaat Khan and Katayoun Goudarzi, 2009 (*short listed for grammy nomination), Released by Shujaat Husain Khan, Katayoun Goudarzi
• Recorded soundtrack for National Geographic documentary, Man Eaters of North India
Recorded live for MTV studio’s Icon: Areosmith with Train
