Photo: Alephalpha / CC BY-SA 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Born on April 29, 1919 in Jammu division, Jammu and Kashmir, India, Alla Rakha was a composer, percussionist and musician. Alla Rakha died on February 3, 2000, aged 80. Recorded honors include Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (1982) and Padma Shri in arts (1977).
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
- Occupation
- composer / percussionist / musician
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 1982 Sangeet Natak Akademi Award
- 1977 Padma Shri in arts
3. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alla%20Rakha
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1392049
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-23
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Alla Rakha born?
Born April 29, 1919.
When did Alla Rakha die?
Died February 3, 2000, aged 80.
Where was Alla Rakha from?
Alla Rakha was from Jammu division, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
What did Alla Rakha do?
Alla Rakha worked as composer, percussionist, musician.
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