Background
Tulika Ghosh, daughter of the internationally acclaimed maestro of Tabla, Padmabhushan Pt. Nikhil Ghosh, represents the fourth generation of a family of distinguished musicians. Her elder uncle was the legendary Pannalal Ghosh, also revered as the ‘Father of Hindustani Classical Flute’. Her grandfather was Akshay Kumar Ghosh; an erudite Sitariya of the Senia Gharana and her great grandfather was Shri Harakumar Ghosh, a Dhrupad singer and Pakhawaj player.
The musically charged atmosphere at home in the illustrious company of some of the greatest figures of Indian Classical music, like Ustad Ahmedjan Thirakawa, Ustad Amir Hussain Khan, Pt. Jnan Prakash Ghosh, Ustad Ishtiaq Hussain Khan, Ustad Latafat Hussain Khan, Ustad Amir Khan, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Pt. Nikhil Banerjee, Pt. Buddhadev Dasgupta and many other giants in this field, has added immensely to her musical imagination and insight.
Tulika has learnt from her father, Padmabhushan Pt. Nikhil Ghosh, who was also much acclaimed for his knowledge of vocal music. She has also received exclusive training in Tappa, from the Grand old master of Banaras tradition, Pt. Hanuman Prasad Mishra. Her other gurus were the doyen of Agra-Atrauli Gharana, Padmabhushan Ustad Khadim Hussain Khan and Padmabhushan Gurudev Jnan Prakash Ghosh as well as Ustad Yunus Hussain Khan, the Khalifa of the Agra Gharana.
Style
Caliber, dignity intense melodiousness and a delightful stage presence are only some of the striking features of Tulika Ghosh – a vocalist endowed with a weighty voice that at once appeals to the keen ears of musicians, connoisseurs and laymen alike. The alternating of serenity and colourfulness adds a glowing lustre to her vast repertoire in the areas of Khayal, Tarana, Tappa, Thumri, Dadra, Kajri and Bhajan. Tulika’s vocalism finds the best elements of the Agra, Gwalior, Saheswan, Kirana, Patiala and Banaras traditions, presented with a distinctive individual expression and aesthetic refinement.
Achievements
Tulika has drawn serious attention with her notable performances all over India, besides the United Kingdom, Germany (1979), Japan (1993), United States of America (several concert tours), Bangladesh (2005 & 2012) and at the prestigious Music Guimet at Paris (2008). She has to her credit, impressive reviews by music critics. She is a regular performer on the All India Radio and Television. Tulika has trained numerous teachers for music besides performers. Tulika headed the master classes in vocal music at Sangeet Mahabharti in Juhu, Mumbai, from 1976 to 2004. She is also training young aspirants in playback singing and professional classical vocalists.
Some Important Concerts in India
Haridas Sangeet Sammelan, Mumbai (1983);Thumri Seminar organized by Bombay University and Indian Musicological Society(1989) ; SangeetNatakAkademi, Delhi (1990); Surmandal, Hyderabad (1998); Bangiya Sangeet Parishad, Kolkata (1999); Lehra Sangeet Chakra, Kolkata (2000); Vasantotsava, Delhi (Pt. Birju Maharaj’s) (2005); India Habitat, Delhi (2004); Kala Vihar, Delhi (1990 & 2013); Ustad Alladiya Khan Music Festival (2004); Devnandan Ubhaykar Memorial concert, Bangalore organized by Smt. Lalita Ubhaykar (2008); Saptak Archives Concert, Ahmedabad (2011); Manjunath Nayak Memorial, Bangalore organized by Smt. Kusuma Nayak (2011 & 2013); Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s Cultural Centre, Mumbai (2013); Sur Sagar, Bangalore (2014); Jawahar Kala Kendra, Jaipur (2014); “Barase Badariya” by Ashirwad, Mumbai (2013); Bharat Bhavan & SRA – Agra Gharana, Bhopal, (2015); Regularly invited by SPICMACAY for concerts and lec-dems all over India; numerous music circles all over India and USA.