Aditya Kalyanpur

Aditya Kalyanpur is a talented tabla player and percussionist beyond his years, who has made a distinguished career working with some of the most prestigious names in Indian classical, jazz, and fusion genres such as Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, AR Rahman, Shankar Mahadevan, Pandit Jasrajji, Larry Coryell, George Brooks, Kenwood Denard, Boston-based jazz band Natraj, Mickey Hart, and John McLaughlin.

Aditya was first seen with his Guru Ustad Zakir Hussain for the famous "Wah Taj!" television commercial at the age of 11. Having the honor of being recognized as an "A" Grade Artist of All India Radio, he has given public performances along with his guru. Since then he has lent the enchanting music of his tabla to numerous commercials. We hear his tabla ringing in the background of the film Everybody Says I am Fine in which Zakir Hussain composed the background score.

As a young man, Aditya has lived up to the words and reputations of his teachers, mastering the intricacies of the tabla to smoothly accommodate the requirements of the main artist. His style consists of bold and clear execution of syllables and pinpoint precision in rhythm, and coupled with a colossal repertoire of compositions and improvisational techniques, his concerts are made a sheer joy!

Honored with the title of Taal - Mani, Aditya is the recipient of I.T.C.'s prestigious Vidyasagar Award as well as the Sangeet Visharad. A commerce graduate, Aditya has also achieved the distinct title as a Music Diplomat from Mumbai University. He has received scholarship from the Centre for Cultural Resources and Training in New Delhi. A recipient of the National Scholarship for Advanced Training instituted by the government of India, Aditya has also won the prestigious Pandit Jasraj Competition held at the Vedic Heritage Center, Long Island, New York.

In addition to many awards given in India and the United States, Aditya is one of the first tabla players ever to be invited to Estonia for the prestigious Orient Arts Festival. As a soloist and accompanist, he has performed at other prestigious music festivals in India and abroad including the Edinburgh Festival in Scotland, the Earagal Arts Festival in Ireland, and the Jazz Yatra in Bombay, India. On a more local scene, Aditya has also appeared at the Great Lakes Folk Festival held every year in Lansing, Michigan and many other festivals and competitions held across the United States.

As a mark of his true versatility as a musician, Aditya has performed solo for many bands and instrumental groups, including the world famous Rolling Stones and also recorded for their saxophonist, Tim Ries.

Aditya is currently the leader of his fusion band Fuzikk and a member of the world renowned group Bombay Jazz, comprised of jazz legends Larry Coryell and George Brooks and Indian flute maestro Pandit Ronu Mazumdar.

Aditya credits himself as one of the youngest tabla maestros who is making Indian classical music more accessible to music students and audiences around the world, particularly establishing the appreciation for this traditional art form in the United States.

He is a strong believer in giving back to his community and has founded the non-profit Shyamal Music Foundation in Mumbai, India, in memory of his late mother, who has recently lost her battle with breast cancer. Aditya envisioned this foundation as a means to raise funds for cancer patients through launching DISHA, an unprecedented benefit concert series, which features musical performances by some of the most inspiring Indian classical musicians of the world.

Aditya's involvement doesn't stop here; he is also currently working together with professor Dr. Peter Kvetko of Salem State University's music department in Salem, Massachusetts. He is helping to establish an examination program allowing for music students to gain academic credits in conjunction with the esteemed 'Gandharva Mahavidyalaya,' the largest examination board recognized by the government of India.

His own musical achievements include the torchbearer of the Punjab Gharana style, in which he was taught by the legendary Ustad Allarakha - famous for his collaboration with the great sitarist, Pandit Ravi Shankar, and tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain. Aditya also possesses an in-depth knowledge of different gharana styles and schools of playing, unheard of from the tabla players of his generation and more importantly which he is passing on to his students.