Bickram Ghosh sets new percussion record

Bickram Ghosh sets new percussion record

Percussionist Bickram Ghosh performed along with 350 dhakis (drummers) at a popular Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata a few days back. This first-of-its-kind large dhaki performance was an attempt to enter the Limca Book of Records. Talking about the event, Bickram says, “In the past there have been performances with 15-20 dhakis, but this was an all-time record with 355 dhakis playing together. The dhak (drum) is a popular part of the Durga Puja celebrations in Kolkata and the experience was wonderful. We made the musical performance interactive with a question and answer session and me leading and the dhakis following my beat.” The percussionist played the wave drum, tambourine and handsonic for this event. Bickram is also on a high for the award he received at GIMA earlier this month for Vande Mataram that brought together 22 singers including Shankar Mahadevan, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Amaan Ali Khan, Rashid Khan, Mahalaxmi Iyer, Shubha Mudgal, Indian Ocean, Euphoria and many others. “I never expect awards but was hoping for this one. You hardly ever hear of musical projects that combine 22 talents. Further, it was an eclectic mix of artistes including Bollywood playback singers and classical musicians together, which made for a soft melody, rock elements as well as a jamming segment in between,” he says adding that he wanted to ensure the song was different from its predecessors. Next on his agenda, aside from his albums and concerts, is his filmi work with Sonu. “The two of us are working together for some Bollywood scores. We've already worked on two films — Jal and Super Se Upar and will be working on a third film soon,” ends Bickram.