My Compelling Story

Anuradha Pal is a professional tabla player based out the capital city of Maharashtra, Mumbai. The Encyclopedia Britannica recognized Anuradha as the “first professional female tabla virtuoso in the world.” This title has also been given by Who‘s Who journal of the World and the Limca Book of Records in the year 1991. Anuradha began performing LIVE when she was only 10. She has performed at the famous Woodstock Festival in the year 2008 in front of a crowd of 4 lakh, and also at the WOMAD Festival in 1999 before a crowd of more than a lakh. Trained by tabla legends – Ustad Zakir Hussain and Late Ustad Alla Rakha, Anuradha plays both solo and multi-percussion, along with being a superb accompanist with the best musicians in India. She has been associated with jazz, African, Latin, Flamenco, crossover classical, percussion, pop, rock, and new-age musical acts. Anuradha has been the Brand Ambassador of UNICEF in the year 2006. She has played before the Hon. President of India and the Prime Minister of India, and also before the Queen Elizabeth of Britain. She has been invited many a time for corporate launches of big brands like Mercedes Benz, Tanishq, CNBC TV18, Siemens, Crisil, etc. and has represented India at the Asian Performers Summit (Japan, 1999) and the Commonwealth Festival (UK, 2000). Anuradha composed the background score for MF Husain‘s movie, Gaja Gamini, which was appreciated at the Cannes Film festival, for its innovative approach. Anuradha has held workshops at Harvard University, MIT (USA), Berkeley School, Vienna Boys Choir, MilapFest (UK), and Palazzo Ducale (Italy). She teaches at her academy – Anuradha Pal‘s Tabla Academy, in Mumbai and also gives online lessons via Skype. Awards: Doordarshan/AIR Top Grade Award, Prasar Bharati (2016) Women Achievers Award, Young Environmentalists (2015) Fempowerment Award, Molecule Communications (2014) Dagar Gharana Samman, Maharana Mewar Foundation (2013) Adwitiya Stree Shakti Puraskar, Kalidas Academy, Ujjain (2011) Malva Taal Shiromani Samman, Malva Sangeet Manch Samiti (2011) Star Taal Award, Star TV (2009) Excellence Award, State of Canada (2010) Zee Astitva Award, Zee Network (2007) Best Musician Award, Pandit Jasraj (1999) Sanskrutic Puraskar, Maharashtra State Govt (2006) Taal Ratna, Bhatkhande Lalit Shiksha Samiti (1997) Vocational Excellence Award, Rotary Club, Mumbai (1995) Mahakal Samman, Mahakaleshwar Samiti, Ujjain (1993) Taal Mani, Sur Singar Samsad, Mumbai (1990) Gold Medal, All India Youth Festival (1989) National Merit Scholarship, Mumbai University (1988)