Raju Agrawal: The maestro who defined the sound of an era
Summary
Tabla maestro Raju Agrawal, known for defining an era of Nepali music, dedicated over three decades to Radio Nepal and contributed to iconic songs while overcoming familial challenges and personal sacrifices.
Key Points
- Raju Agrawal began his tabla career inspired by music at Machhindrabahal Dabali and was trained by Ustad Dilipnath Yogi.
- He worked over 34 years at Radio Nepal, contributing tabla to more than a thousand songs and playing with Nepal's great musicians including Narayan Gopal.
- Despite initial family rejection due to his passion for music, Raju persevered and eventually left home to pursue his career.
- He played a significant role in shaping the sound of Nepali modern music and remains a respected cultural figure.
- Raju retired in 2013 but continues to engage with music spiritually in ashrams and public performances.
