Artist Detailed Info: Ashok Pathak

Ashok Pathak was born in Bodhgaya [1949],a religious place in North-India.He comes from a family whose musical history goes back to the 12th century,to vina-player Gopal Nayak.The family-heritage[guru-sisya parampara]has produced a great number of maestros.
The family-style or gharana as Ashok Pathak presents today is a witness of this agelong evolution.The Pathak-gharana is distinguished by the sound of the sitar/surbahar[bass-sitar],a soft and round sound,the manner of playing the instruments[a specific way of ornamentation of the notes]and the traditional compositions.
Some changes on the instrument itself are also responsible for the special Pathak-sound.Their style is characterised by long alaps[introduction],a perfect mastery of the meend [pulling strings]-or sliding technique and an unparalleled virtuosity in the raga-composing for sitar and surbahar.
Although Ashok Pathak is a classical musician,he comes to amazing new interpretations of the music,such as a careful and well-deliberated use of chords in his playing.Next to performing the traditional compositions which he learned from his father and grandfather,he is creating his own compositions as well.
Ashok Pathak occupies a special place in indian classical music.As the eldest son of the late sitar&surbaharplayer pandit Balaram Pathak he further developed the style of his father.

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