A Concert with Nilan Chaudhuri and Raaginder Singh Momi Indian

This event is part of The Haresh & Joan Shah Lecture & Peformance Series.

The Tabla—a pair of small drums—is the principle rhythmic instrument in the Hindustani music tradition of Northern India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Used in traditional, classical, pop, and folk music, the Tabla playing technique is complex and involves extensive use of the fingers and palms to create a wide variety of sounds and rhythms. 

Nilan Chaudhuri has devoted his life to maintaining, preserving, and sharing the art of Indian Classical Tabla music with the world. The son of Maestro Swapan Chaudhuri and a disciple of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Nilan received his first Tabla lesson from his father at the age of five and presented his first concert at the age of eleven. Drawing on his father’s innovative and revolutionary approach to classical Tabla as well as jazz-fusion influences, Nilan has won awards for his unique cross- pollinations in eastern and western music and has performed with many Hindustani Classical Music legends. 

For this concert, Nilan is joined by violinist, Raaginder Singh Momi. Hailing from the school of Maihar-Seni Gharana, Raaginder implements improvisation, rhythmic patterns and the sounds of Indian classical music on a modified five-string violin. 

Join Nilan and Raaginder for a deep dive into the world of rhythm and classical Indian music.

Nilan Chaudhuri has performed as a Tabla soloist and accompanist for nearly twenty years. He has shared the stage with Hindustani Classical Music’s greatest treasures, such as maestros Alam Khan, Shujaat Khan, Ramesh Misra, and Amjad Ali Khansaib in a constantly growing list of prestigious venues, such as Carnegie Hall, The Fillmore, Fox Theater, and San Francisco War Memorial & Performing Arts Center. His collaborations also include crossover work with celebrated artists, Arjun Verma, Manik Khan, Gaayatri Kaundinya, Jack Perla, The Toronto Tabla Ensemble, members of Brooklyn Raga Massive, Dennis Chambers, Miles Schon, and DJ Teeko. In addition to maintaining a busy performing schedule, Nilan teaches Tabla throughout the Bay Area as a faculty member at the Ali Akbar College of Music in San Rafael, and at Chitresh Das Institute in San Mateo.

Raaginder Singh Momi is a young upcoming violinist and music composer from the San Francisco Bay Area. Hailing from the school of Maihar-Seni gharana, Raaginder implements improvisation, rhythmic patterns and the sounds of Indian Classical music on a modified five-string violin. Raaginder brings forth lyrical and rhythmic sections whichstem from traditional elements while also infusing a modern touch. He studied at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) where he received his BFA in World Music Performance. Raaginder has performed in prominent venues all over the world such as The White House, Staples Center, Wembley arena and many more. Through these endeavors and experiences, Raaginder's art will always bring new, intense, and interesting types of music for his audiences to hear.