Bapu Patwardhan

Prabhakar Vasudeo Patwardhan more popularly known to music lovers as Bapu Patwardhan, has been actively engaged in speaking and writing on tabla. Born in 1936, he began his training in tabla accompaniment from his uncle Gopalrao Patwardhan, a disciple of Krishnarao Shankar Pandit, the eminent vocalist from the Gwalior tradition. He continued his formal training in tabla under Govindrao Parasatwal. In 1972, Bapu Patwardhan took advanced training from the illustrious tabla maestro Ahmed Jan Thirakwa.

Having worked as an engineer for the Indian railways until 1992, Bapu Patwardhan has devoted his energies towards teaching tabla thereafter. He has been writing on subjects like sound production in a tabla recital, particularly as experienced in Ahmed Jan Thirakwa’s style.

Books authored and published by him include:

Tirakhwa shailee (Hindi with audio cassette)
Tabla ek shreshtha taal vadya (Marathi)
Tablyacha antarnad, katha ani vyatha (Marathi with VCD)

Bapu Patwardhan has provided tabla accompaniment to many and has also presented solo recitals.