In conversation with Percussionist & Rhythm Arranger: Dipesh Varma

Percussionist & Rhythm Arranger

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Talk about your music journey and biggest learnings in your career

When the journey started at the age of 13, when I was in school. My father is a singer. Since childhood I was attracted towards rhythms. I went to my father and told him I wanted to make a career out of this. He just told me I can perform with him during shows but asked me not to look for recommendations from him. He advised me to walk on my own path.

I started learning music first from Pandit Bhavani Shankar, a Pakhavaj maestro. Later, I learnt Tabla from him. I was very fascinated with multi percussions. He is the one who sent me to Ustad Taufiq Qureshi. It has been twelve years since O started learning from him and the learning is still ongoing.

When I started playing with my father, I used to play in Orchestra, Dandiya and so on. It started from Rs.300 per show and the duration of the shows were six to seven hours. I used to play small percussions. I had done a lot of Navrathri shows. I got to explore a lot of genres through this from Bhajans to Bollywood.