Search - Terry Lynn Tschaekofske :: Illusions

Pandit Vikash Maharaj is an internationally-acclaimed sarod maestro from Varanasi, India. A 14th-generation musician born into the widely-respected Benaras gharana (musical family), he began his musical life as a tabla player, but switched to sarod at a young age. He received training in sarod from Sri Rajesh Chandra Moitra, a student of the legendary guru of Ravi Shankar and father of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Baba Allaudin Khan. Undoubtedly one of the great sarod masters from India, he makes his home in the ancient holy city of Varanasi. His sons Prabhash (tabla) and Abhishek (sitar) are also award-winning masters on their instruments who have dedicated themselves to following in their forebears' footsteps. In February and March of 2009, New York City based bansuri player Joshua Geisler stayed with the Maharaj family and received intensive training. Essentially an improvised musical tradition, North Indian Classical music presents an endless path of musical exploration. This CD is a snapshot of a guru and his most devoted students walking their paths together. No second takes, just an intimate portait of the creative process in action.