Photo: Alephalpha / CC BY-SA 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Alla Rakha is, to me, one of music's great bridges. As Ravi Shankar's frequent accompanist, this Punjab gharana tabla master did more than almost anyone to introduce the instrument to Western ears, turning intricate rhythmic cycles into something global audiences could feel. Born in 1919 in Kashmir and active until his death in 2000, he earned India's highest cultural honors, the Padma Shri and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, for good reason. What moves me is that he dissolved borders with nothing but his fingertips and a sense of time. Every time I hear his taals, I sit up straighter.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Alla Rakha
- Name (Japanese)
- アラ・ラカ
- Reading
- あら・らか
- Born
- April 29, 1919 – February 3, 2000
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Taurus / Goat
- Origin
- Jammu division, Jammu and Kashmir, India
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- composer / percussionist / musician
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Private
Awards & achievements
- 1982 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- 1977 Padma Shri in arts
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
- Wikipedia (Japanese)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alla%20Rakha
Frequently asked questions
When was Alla Rakha born?
April 29, 1919 – February 3, 2000.
Where is Alla Rakha from?
Alla Rakha is from Jammu division, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
What does Alla Rakha do?
Alla Rakha works as composer, percussionist, musician.
Composer — see all → · Percussionist — see all → · More people from India →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-23
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.