Ustad Tari Khan

Disciple of Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan - Panjab Gharana

In the realm of South Asian music, when it comes to percussionists emanating from the sub-continent the name of Ustad Tari Khan is inseparable from Tabla. Born in Lahore Pakistan, Tari Khan hails from a family of musicians whose lineage can be traced back to Bhai Mardana. Tari Khan’s father was a classical vocalist of great virtuosity and his early education in music was that of a singer. However, Tari Khan listened to the tabla of Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan at the age of six and became so enamored with the celebrated Ustad that all his musical interests became focused on Tabla. He spent the next eight years of his life listening to Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan at concerts, on the radio, at private mehfils (musical gatherings) and on the television. At fourteen, he formally became a student of Ustad Shaukat Hussain Khan. Three years later he performed at the death anniversary of Mian Qadir Baksh. That solo performance earned him a revered place amongst the Tabla greats of all time. Ustad Tari Khan had arrived. There has been no looking back for Tari Khan. Today, he is acknowledged as one of the foremost Tabla players of all time by musicians all over the world.

Ustad Tari Khan has performed in virtually every part of the globe, participating in prestigious festivals and concerts, dazzling and captivating audiences by his extraordinary versatility. Tours abroad have taken him to almost every major city of the world, and he enjoys a large following. His work has led to collaborations with artists and producers from all spectrums of the musical world, including collaboration with famed producer Rick Rubin. He has also composed music for several documentaries and films such as Mira Nair’s Mississippi Masala starring Denzel Washington. Ustad Tari Khan has received the highest acclaim for both his accompaniment and solo performances. He has been crowned with the title of "Tabla Prince of India and Pakistan," decorated with the prestigious Hazrat Ameer Khusro Award, decorated with the President’s Pride of Performance (Pakistan’s highest artistic honor), and crowned during Taj Poshi (Golden Crown).

Pandit Anindo Chatterjee

Farukhabad Gharana

Great musicians are not made they are born. Anindo Chatterjee was born to be a musician's musician, loved by all musicians & music lovers around the globe. From the beginning he has worked only to realize this destiny. In May of 1954 his amazing story began. The torch bearer and inspiration of his amazing musical journey was his beloved uncle Biswanath Chatterjee. Early childhood lessons were received from his uncle Amarnath Chatterjee followed by two years of taalim from Ustad Afaq Hussain Khan (1964-66) of Lucknow Gharana.

The Legendary Guru Jnan Prakash Ghosh saw a gleam of genius in Anindo’s eyes and accepted him as his disciple, training him for over 30 years. During this period Anindo Chatterjee perfected his technique & learned the rich repertoire of traditional Tabla. Anindo Chatterjee curved out a niche for himself with his tabla solo for which he is one of the most popular performers. His ability to weave the most intricate textures and rhythms and extremely high speed, while still maintaining clarity, crispness and finesse is unparalleled.

Coupled with a knowledge of all gharanas and a vast repertoire of compositions, he has raised that standard in the field. With laya firm as stone, and tone sweet as a flower, he is the preferred accompanist by almost every musician. The first debut initiated with Late Pandit Nikhil Bannerjee in a world tour in 1975, which laid benchmark in Anindo’s musical carrier and he regularly performed with Nikhil Bannerjee till his death. He has shared the stage with the Late Ustad Vilayat Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Pt. Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Dr. L. Subramanium, Dr. Balmuruli Krishna, and many others and made uncountable albums throughout the world.

In honor of a lifetime of effort and achievement, Anindo Chatterjee has received many awards including a Gold Medal at the All India Radio Music Competition at the tender age of 16 “Talsamrat” from Ustad Amir Hussain Khan Memorial Foundation of Bombay in 1991, “best performer of the year” in 1997 from the All India Critics Association, “Tala Rishi Samman” by Aurangabad state academy in 1997, “Swarsagar Puraskar” by the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation in 2005, and the prestigious “Sangeet Natak Akademi Award” by The Honorable President of India in 2002. As a Guru Anindo Chatterjee has produced several brilliant disciples world wide including his son Anubrata a very well versed uprising talent blessed by the musical maestros blended with his father’s touch.

Pandit Anand Badamikar

Disciple of Pandit Taranath Rao - Farukhabad | Dehli | Poorab | Ajrada

Born in Solapur, Maharashtra, in 1954, he is a disciple of Pandit Taranath Rao and winner of numerous prestigious competitions in India including the much-coveted President of India's Gold Medal for his solo tabla performance. A much sought after artist, he has accompanied most of the giants of Indian classical music scene. 

Anand's solos are something rare to listen to due to his immense knowledge of various Gharana's and compositions.  Anand can play solos in numerous tala's thanks to his training from Pandit Taranath Rao.  Recently Anand has been awarded the distinction of a top grade artist at All India Radio.  Anand is visiting from Mumbai India especially for the Festival of Tabla.