ABOUT
Julio Falavigna (Gopala)
Drummer and multipercussionist Julio Falavigna began his studies at the age of 13 with Vitor Machado in Caxias do Sul, his hometown. At the age of 17 he lived in London, where he perfected his studies with English drummer John Shearer. Back in Brazil, he settled in Porto Alegre, where he followed names from the local scene, such as Nei Lisboa and Duca Leindecker. At this time he studied drums with Fernando Paiva and Duda Neves. At 19 he received an invitation to play in Europe. He continued his studies in Germany and then in New York he joined the Drummer's Collective School, where he studied with great names on the instrument and percussion in general.
Back in Europe, he played in various Cuban and Senegalese music groups (with the group Godwana, with partner Assane Demba), Jazz and MPB. In Vienna he taught classes and workshops with American drummer Jeff Boudreaux (Wynton Marsalis). During this period he played with several names in Brazilian music. He lived in the south of France, where he played with Brazilian singer Syan Moreno and American bassist Dig Lewis (Stevie Wonder). It was at this time that his interest in Indian music grew, beginning his studies of tabla with the musician and composer Sri Hanuman, with whom he would play two years later. He then spent some time in India and Canada, where he studied with other tabla masters such as Mubarak Khan, Pandit Anand Kumar Mallick and Pandit Swapan Chaudhury.
“From the moment we were born, the heart started beating, then we started breathing, then we started talking, screaming, there is no way to separate ourselves from this rhythmic pattern.
Therefore, the drum is the closest thing since the beginning of our lives. Every time we beat the drum we are connecting our souls to our history as human beings, and this has happened all over the world, in all different cultures..."
∫ Julio Falavigna
Returning to Brazil in 2001, he settled again in Porto Alegre. He is part of the group Fabio Mentz Quartet, recording and releasing the album Cantigas (winner of the Açorianos Prize). He then participates in workshops with drummers Fabio Schneider and Vitor Machado. At the same time, he founded Shabda Rasa, an Indian music group with sitarist Toti Lima. In 2003 he recorded drums for the album Black Bagual Negovéio by Gaucho composer Bebeto Alves.
In the studio, playing the tabla, a classic percussion instrument from the Indian music tradition.
In the following years, he organized and accompanied notable names in Indian music in concerts, such as GS Sachdev (bansuri), Sri Hanuman (author), and Pandit Mukesh Desai (vocals) playing tabla, arousing greater public interest in Indian music in Brazil.
In 2010, he took up residence in Rio de Janeiro, starting several musical projects as a drummer. He chaired workshops with percussionist Jorge Amorim, in addition to joining groups with Minas Gerais double bassist Yuri Popoff and trombonist Vittor Santos.
In 2012 he participated in the album Navegantes by composer Fabio Mentz, on which he recorded drums and percussion. Since then, he has released four albums with his wife Bianca Gismonti. He is currently in the final stages of the first album by his Indian duo Shabda Rasa.
Julio and his first professional drumset, back in 1987.
Yoga
He has been studying and practicing Yoga since 1990, having started in the organization called "International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers" where he was an instructor and lived in Ashrams between France, Canada and India. He later founded and directed the Sivananda Center in Porto Alegre for 10 years.
His interest in Eastern spirituality led him to study tabla and Naad Yoga with Sri Hanuman (India/France) and Anand Kuma Mallick (India). Living in Brazil, he is part of an Indian music duo called Shabda Rasa with sitarist Toti Lima, as well as the group Hanuman Trio with his former teacher Sri Hanuman. He has also accompanied great names in Hindustani music such as the late flutist GS Sachdev and vocalist Pandit Mukesh Desai.
