Mukundraj Deo
Mukundraj Deo is one of India’s finest tabla players of the younger generation, hailing from an artistic family. He underwent rigorous training in tabla under the late Pandit Brijraj Mishra (disciple of the late Pandit Sharada Sahai) of the Banaras Gharana, as well as Pandit Mridangraj of the Ajrada Gharana.
Mukundraj completed his Sangeet Visharad and Alankaar in tabla with first-class honours from Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya. His exceptional talent earned him several accolades, including a National Scholarship from the Government of India in 1990, the prestigious title of Taalmani from Sursingar Samsad, Bombay in 1993, and a National Fellowship in 1997. He is also an ‘A’ grade artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan.
He has had the honour of accompanying legendary maestros such as Pandit Jasraj, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Dr. Prabha Atre, Begum Parveen Sultana, Dr. N. Rajam, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, and Pandit Ramnarayan.
Mukundraj has performed at renowned international music festivals, including the Adelaide International Music Festival in Australia, the York Early Music Festival in England, the Fes World Music Festival in Morocco, and the Sydney Opera House Festival in Australia.