Interview with Goutam Kumar Sarker

Goutam Kumar Sarker represents the new generation of classical instrumentalist. Since his graduation (in tabla) from Chhayanaut in 2004, Goutam has maintained an active presence in the classical music scene. Currently an assistant teacher at Chhayanaut, Goutam hopes to contribute to Bangladeshi classical music - both as an artiste and a teacher.

In his words, “As music in Bangladesh progresses, it is equally important that the instrumental aspect of it evolve as well. For a song to be complete it always needs the accompaniment of the right instruments and that’s where instrumentalists come in.”

Born in a music-oriented family, Goutam had an early introduction to musical instruments.

“We used to have regular music sessions at home,” said Goutam. My father Mrinal Kanti Sarker, was fond of playing the tabla and used to play regularly,” says Goutam.

“I took singing lessons as a child, but I always preferred tabla,” he adds.

“My formal introduction to tabla was around the age of six through my uncle Ustad Malay Kanti Sarker, a Kolkata-based tabla player.

“During his annual visits, I used to receive lessons from him. Eventually I started visiting him in Kolkata,” Goutam says.

“As my skills developed, my uncle took me to his mentor, noted tabla artiste Ustad Robin Banerjee, for further training,” The musician continues.

“In 2000, my uncle advised me to seek admission in Chhayanaut. I got enrolled in Chhayanaut directly into the third year of the five-year tabla course. I was appointed as an assistant teacher when I was a fourth year student. I graduated securing first class first.

“At Chhayanaut, I received lessons from Ustad Madan Gopal Das, who is still my teacher,” Goutam says.

“In 2005, I came first at the Bangladesh inter-university tabla contest.”

Apart from being a tabla artiste, Goutam is also a computer engineer. He graduated from South East University in computer science and engineering. Currently he works for Grameenphone.

“Music will always secure a very important place in my life. Without the tabla my life will be incomplete,” says the musician

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