Introducing fusion music to an audience who may not be familiar with classical Indian music is Nikhil Paralikar, aka The Tabla Guy, who speaks to us about his music and the Hyderabadi music culture in an exclusive chat with The Pioneer.
Tejal Sinha
In the digital world that we live in, many hidden talents have taken the path of social media to showcase their unique talents. One such digital creator is Hyderabad’s very own digital creator and artist, Nikhil Paralikar, aka The Tabla Guy, who wins hearts with his grooving tabla beats. Often mentioned for his ability to turn any tune into a foot-tapping number with his beats, the popular artist has quite a history of extensive training in classical music.
His exceptional talent was soon applauded by many big Bollywood celebs and notaries of the music industry, including Armaan Malik, Vishal Dadlani, Badshah, Raftaar, and Ash King, among many others. Popular artists like B Praak, Guru Randhawa, Vishal Mishra, Ritviz, and Abhay Jodhpurkar have shared his cover tracks in the past. He has also been celebrated by international artists like DJ Snake as his popularity grows. His collaborations include hit numbers like Aaja Na Ferrari Mein with Armann Malik and a tabla cover for the song Highway with Ash King, as well as big names like Aksh Baghla, Ananya Birla, Divyansh Kacholia, and more. He is popularly known for his covers of the hit tracks Money Heist, Bella Ciao, Deva Deva, In Dino, and the most recent ones, What Jhumka and Nu Kavalaya, out of the many.
What better could it be than discussing his music this week for our weekly segment of Hyderabond? Nikhil was born and raised in Saudi Arabia during his childhood. However, with his grandfather staying in Hyderabad for a prolonged period of time, knowing the city well, and even for educational purposes, his family decided to move to Hyderabad from Saudi Arabia.
As we begin this interesting chat, he begins, “My journey from a passionate hobbyist to a professional musician has been both inspiring and transformative. It all began with a deep love for music that has been a constant part of my life since I was a child. As my passion for music grew, so did my commitment to honing my skills. I dedicated hours every day to learning new techniques and studying music theory with guidance from experienced musicians and mentors. I attended music classes and workshops and collaborated with other musicians to gain valuable insights and feedback.”
As he improved his artistic skills, he began recording his performances and compositions. Creating a portfolio led him to have objective access to his progress and also served as a way to showcase his talent for potential opportunities in the future. Taking us through the idea of bringing a classical tabla twist to popular songs, he says that the idea of blending the two worlds came to me when I was experimenting with the tabla while casually playing along with pop songs. “I realised that the tabla’s rhythmic patterns could add a unique
dimension to these songs, creating an exciting fusion of styles. It was a thrilling process of experimentation, trying out various rhythms and patterns to see how they fit with the melodies. The key was to strike a balance between honouring the essence of the original song and infusing it with the beauty of classical tabla rhythms. This fusion resulted from my deep-rooted love for classical Indian music, curiosity, and creativity.”
Now, as we went ahead with the chat with him, we wondered about the moment he realised he wanted to bring a twist to these songs, and he enthused, “Sometimes, when I hear a popular song, there is an instant connection or resonance with a specific melody or rhythm within the song. As a tabla player, I am always attuned to rhythms that naturally complement the tabla. When I come across a song that has elements that can be seamlessly integrated with the tabla beats, the idea to give it a twist starts to take shape in my mind. Emotions play a significant role in my music, and sometimes a particular song evokes strong emotions within me.”
Being a musician on social media comes with its fair share of challenges, says Nikhil Paralikar, aka The Table Guy. So it was for him too, but for him, creating fusion music with tabla was a life-altering decision in itself, one that has profoundly shaped his musical journey and opened up new opportunities and horizons. “Fusion music is an unexplored realm, and the path I chose was not well-trodden. Introducing fusion music to an audience that may not be familiar with classical Indian music was a challenge. Breaking into the industry with a unique fusion concept required perseverance, networking, and proving the commercial viability of my music. Creating quality recordings, promoting my music, and performing live all required investments, and I had to find ways to sustain myself while establishing my presence in the music world. Balancing the traditional and contemporary elements in a way that respects both genres was a delicate task.”
Wondered what his preparations are for working on a particular song? Well, he says, first he chooses a song that resonates with him emotionally and has elements that can be enhanced by tabla beats. “I consider factors such as the melody, rhythm, and overall vibe of the song. I immersed myself in the song, listening to it multiple times to understand its structure, nuances, and musical elements. If the song is based on a specific raga or scale, I study its characteristics and explore how tabla rhythms can blend harmoniously with the melodic structure. This involves trying out various bols (syllables) and taals (rhythmic cycles). Once I’m satisfied with the fusion, I proceed to record,” shares ‘The Tabla Guy’, who feels that his Tabla mix of Saahore Bahubali has been the most challenging one since the track had its own fan base and wanted to do justice to it. He also revealed that he finished covering this track in just one take. Well, that’s mind-blowing!
As a Tabla player, he does feel that he’s surely able to introduce classical music to viewers and listeners who would not otherwise be drawn to it with his fusion music. The fusion offers a unique and engaging way for listeners to experience the complexities and beauty of tabla rhythms while enjoying the melodies they are already familiar with. However, it’s essential to note that the goal of introducing classical music through fusion is not to dilute or diminish its essence but to celebrate its artistry while making it accessible to a wider audience.
“Hyderabad has a rich cultural heritage, and classical music, including tabla, plays a significant role in the city’s artistic landscape,” he says of the culture here in terms of music. “The city’s historical connection to the Nizams and the presence of renowned music gharanas have contributed to the preservation and promotion of classical arts. The city has been a centre for various tabla gharanas (lineages) that have contributed to the evolution and development of the tabla as an Instrument. The city’s residents have a strong appreciation for classical arts.”
Nikhil Paralikar loves his music as much as he loves food. So this Hyderabad-based TEDx speaker decided to start a cafe that caters to both. “Tarz is an innovative concept that brings together the love of music and the enjoyment of good food and beverages. We host live music performances regularly, featuring local artists and bands across various genres, creating a platform for emerging talents. It is a place to encourage artistic collaborations, inspire creativity, and offer a haven for music lovers to indulge in their passion while enjoying delicious food and great company.”
On the professional front, he feels that the city offers a promising and thriving environment for cafes and the music industry. “The city’s cosmopolitan nature fosters an environment conducive to fusion music and cultural diversity. It is home to a large population of students, young professionals, and artists. This demographic openness to new experiences and artistic expressions makes it an ideal city for growth professionally, says the artist, who shares that he has plans to make many more of the collaborations down South too and also has some original music under construction.
