Two extraordinary musicians, santoor (hammered dulcimer) player Rahul Sharma
and tabla (drums) player Amit Kavthekar, pay tribute to two of the greatest musicians in
Indian music in recent years. Shivkumar Sharma, India’s foremost master of the
santoor, was responsible for developing the santoor from a little known Kashmiri folk
instrument into a solo instrument in the classical North Indian repertoire. Tabla maestro
Zakir Hussain, an international phenomenon, was one of the world’s most influential
musicians and celebrated as the finest percussionist in world music. Both Rahul
Sharma and Amit Kavthekar played with these two legendary artists.

Rahul Sharma santoor
Amit Kavthekar tabla

Presented by Robert Browning Associates and Lotus Music & Dance in partnership with Roulette

Rahul Sharma, regarded as the leading santoor player of his generation, has carved a
niche for himself in the world of Indian classical and fusion music with over 65 released
albums in a career of more than 25 years. He has become a worthy successor to his
father and guru Shivkumar Sharma, with whom he studied the santoor. In recent years
he received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. Amit Kavthekar is one of
the top-ranking tabla players of his generation. He studied with Alla Rakha and Zakir
Hussain, and has played with many maestros of Indian classical music, including Amjad
Ali Khan, Pandit Jasraj, Shahid Parvez, and Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. He frequently
collaborates with leading musicians in Western classical music, jazz and fusion music,
and has toured with guitarist Al Di Meola.