Workshop | Konnakol and Indian Rhythmic with Sanjay Kansa Banik

Saturday 13 July, 17.00 – 19.00 | Femminamorta, Riposto (CT)

This workshop is designed for all fans of music and percussion eager to explore the depths of Indian musical tradition.

Activities of the Workshop

• Introduction of the instrument and the origin history
  
• Introduction of the main syllabes (notes) of the Tabla
  
• The sitting posture and main settings of the hands and fingers
  
• First 6 exercises to set the fingers of both hands
  
• Introduction and concept of Tala ( Rhythm)
  
• Introduction of the ’10 souls’ of the Tala
  
• Introduction of Tali (clap), khali (empty), Matra (Beat), Avartan (cycle), Bibhag (Division)
  

In the Carnatic tradition, Konnakol is the art of vocalizing and improvising on rhythms, while in the Hindustani context it is known as Bol Paran. This practice not only helps to memorize complex rhythmic cycles, but also broadens the perspectives for Western musicians who wish to explore new sounds and percussive techniques.
These methods of vocal solfeggio of Konnakol or Bol Paran are also applicable in a Western context, particularly with percussive instruments such as Drums, Tambourine , Tar, Riq, Kanjira, Darbuka, Djembe, Cajon , Udu, etc. Learning this method, the traditional rhythmic figures and also the improvisational schemes open new interesting and fruitful perspectives for the Western musician.
“If you can sing, you can play.”

Sanjay Kansa Banik, born in India in 1976 to a music-loving Bengali family, began studying tabla at the tender age of five and a half years under the skilled guidance of Sri Gautam Dam and later Prof. Dulal Natto del Gharana of Benares. Since 1990 he has been an All India Radio artist and has received numerous awards in India such as “Talmani” (Master of Rhythm), “Sangeet Ratna” (Jewel of music), “Sangeet Visarad” (Special knowledge in music).
In 1996 he won first prize in the National Level Competition in Delhi, awarded by the President of India. He earned a Master in Music from Rabindra Bharati University in 2001. Since 2006 he lives in Rome, where he teaches “The art of playing Tabla” & traditional Indian rhythm “Konakol” and performs among others with Sergio Cammariere, the Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio (OPV) and the ethno-jazz group Worldream. Director Simone Mariani made a documentary about him entitled “A journey on the tabla”, a film awarded at several Film Festivals in Europe and India. He is currently Professor of Tabla at the Department of Traditional Music of India at the Conservatory of Milan.
Former guest of the MWF in the 5th edition of 2013, Sanjay will accompany the M pson. Chaurasia during the final concert at dawn on July 14, and will hold the day before a workshop on Indian rhythm.