Samta Prasad

Samta Prasad
Samta Prasad accompanying sitar player Shahid Parvez Khan
Background information
Birth nameSamta Prasad Mishra
Also known asGudai Maharaj
Born(1921-07-20)20 July 1921
OriginVaranasi, Uttar Pradesh
Died31 May 1994(1994-05-31) (aged 72)
GenresIndian classical music
InstrumentTabla

Samta Prasad (Hindi : पण्डित सामता प्रसाद; 20 July 1921 31 May 1994) was an Indian classical musician and tabla player from the Benares gharana. He played tabla in many Hindi films including, Meri Surat Teri Ankhen (1963) and Sholay (1975), and film music composers Rahul Dev Burman and Bappi Lahiri were his disciples.

He was the son of Hari Sundarrr, also known as Bachaa Mishra, his grandfather was Jagannath Mishra, and his ancestors included Pratap Maharaj, also known as Gudai Maharaj.

He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award in 1979, given by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, India's National Academy of Music, Dance & Drama and the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour given by Govt. of India in 1991.