Percussionist

Celebrated sitar maestro Niladri Kumaar is a compelling force in Indian classical music and an innovator who carries centuries of tradition in every note. This evening is both a forward-looking showcase and a tribute to an irreplaceable musical bond: curated selections from Space Between the Notes, the only recorded live performance between Kumaar and the late, legendary Zakir Hussain. Their singular partnership resounds once more—a gift, before the album’s release later this year. Featuring sitar, zitar, and an ensemble of Indian and American musicians with jazz influences, this is Indian music at its most expansive, where centuries of classical tradition meet improvisational spirit.

Niladri Kumaar, sitar

Sixth & I

The evening begins with the transcendent bansuri of Chaurasia, heir to the legendary Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. His breath control turns bamboo into an instrument of extraordinary emotion. Experience the cascading waterfalls of his fast taans, the delicate nuance of his meend, and the soulful depth of his alaap as he explores ancient ragas with reverence and innovation. His bansuri pairs perfectly with Samsi's tabla, a disciple of Ustad Alla Rakha and a renowned percussion virtuoso.

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Rakesh Chaurasia + Shahid Parvez & Shakir Khan

Barbican Centre

Lose yourself in the luminous textures of the santoor, as Rahul Sharma (son of Pt. Shivkumar Sharma) conjures glistening soundscapes that echo the spirit of Himalayan terrain. Sharing the stage is tabla virtuoso Satyajit Talwalkar, paying tribute to Ustad Zakir Hussain while confidently carving his own path in India's rhythmic tradition.

Darbar: Tributes to Shivkumar Sharma and Zakir Hussain

Experience the artistry of Debasmita Bhattacharya, a leading sarod player of her generation. With her exceptional musicality and technical brilliance, she continues the Senia Shahjahanpur gharana's legacy, delivering performances that shift from serene to exhilarating.

Debasmita Bhattacharya + Mallick Dharbanga Dhrupad

Milton Court Concert Hall

Sitar star Niladri Kumaar is a musical maverick, redefining the classical Indian sound for the next generation. In this concert, he pays tribute to his friend, mentor and frequent collaborator, the late tabla maestro Zakir Hussain. Before Hussain’s passing, the sitar-tabla duo was captured in the wonderful 2017 documentary The Space Between the Notes.

Percussionist

Satyajit Talwalkar

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 6, 2026

Niladri Kumaar: The Space Between the Notes Honoring Zakir Hussain · New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Past events

Oct 24, 2026

Niladri Kumaar, sitar · Washington Performing Arts

Oct 26, 2025

Rakesh Chaurasia + Shahid Parvez & Shakir Khan · Barbican Centre

About

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