Rhythm Riders Music Productions - Indian Music, Tabla, World Music, Kathak Dance

Under the Pipal Tree

Rhythm Riders — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 12:34:05 +0000

About 40km outside of Bangalore, nestled between 2 villages is the Fireflies Ashram, an ashram dedicated to sustainability. Working to find ways to address climate change and promote environmental sustainability, the ashram host conferences and students around the year. A flagship event for the ashram is the Fireflies Festival of Music. Each year, they bring a diverse line-up of artists to their space for an all-night festival that happens in an open amphitheater with a stage set under a huge pipal tree.

We’d heard great things about the vibe at Fireflies and were excited to be apart of it this year. Our trip to Fireflies was a trip of firsts. It was the first time we were in Bangalore / Karnataka and for Fireflies, it was the first time they were having a group from Gujarat in their 10 year history. Another first for Fireflies was that is was a day festival this year vs a night festival. Fortunately for us, we were the closing act and took the stage at 9pm when night had fallen all around and it was easy to imagine what the original Fireflies all-night festival is like.

Overall, we had a great time at Fireflies. Our set was a bit short due to time restraints. While the audience did not want us to stop, things were not in our hands. Nonetheless, they showered us with their love and we received the only standing ovation of the festival.

Kudos to the Fireflies team (esp Akshath and Ananda) for a job well-done. We enjoyed the line-up. Some stand-outs for us included Agam (the vocalist Harish in particular was great), La Pongal (fabulous energy) and Shabnam Virmani / Kabir Project (very soothing and pleasant). Something Relevant really knew how to get the crowd going.

Here is a great shot from the night care of What’s the Scene, taken by Uday Shankar and Rohan Arthur. Check out the rest of the pictures here.

We love you Bangalore!

Rhythm Riders — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 10:49:01 +0000

In the whirlwind that was February, Talavya headed to Bangalore for the first time and we must say, we love Bangalore. The city has such a vibrant music scene and openness to drumming. Home of the DrumJam and other drumming groups, you don’t tell to convince Bangaloreans that a pure drum performance can be exciting, they know. And with their exposure to drumming, to be able to exceed all expectations was downright exhilarating.

We had two back to back shows in Karnataka, one at OPUS Bangalore and one at the Fireflies festival. Very different vibes, but both were great fun. Both shows had encore requests, unfortunately we weren’t able to satisfy all the requests, but we’ll be back again soon to do so!

February Fever

Rhythm Riders — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:34:40 +0000

So first off, our apologies for the lack of posting on here for quite some time. While we have not been here, we have definitely not been MIA (Missing in Action). In fact, one of the reasons for the lack of posts is because the of the large amount of stuff that is happening in the real world (which we’ll be sharing soon).

With a winter that does not seem to have an end in sight, we’re turning up the heat with lots of great music. February is a whirlwind month for us. Here’s a glance at what its going to be like.

Feb 16th – Talavya and Taan in Ahmedabad
Feb 18th – Talavya in Bangalore at OPUS at 9:15pm
Feb 19th – Talavya at the Fireflies Festival of Music
Feb 20th – 21st – Recording for one of Rushi’s new tracks
Feb 23rd – Talavya in Mumbai at TEDxASB
Feb 26th – Talavya and Taan in Gandhinagar

Talavya @inkconference

Rhythm Riders — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:59:37 +0000

Brilliant jamming by @talavya @heenatabla @inkconference #inkconference yfrog.com/ochcpxwj - @_fakeiplplayer [Picture by @_fakeiplplayer

After four magical days in the Pink City of Jaipur, we are back in Ahmedabad, physically tired, mentally energized. This past Friday, we had an exhilarating performance at the INK Conference (in association with TED). We performed a customized version of Tabla Ecstasy to fit within the INK / TED format of 18 minutes. Joining us on the harmonium was Heena Patel (who most know is actually a tabla player). The session began with a great animation by talented young artist (who are we to say young, when we’re just have 0 – 5 years age difference…) Shilo Shiv Suleman followed by a quick introduction by Heena and tabla demo by Rushi and Sahil. And before we knew it, our performance was over and we were overwhelmed by the thundering applause that could compete with the sounds of our tabla.

As we went back to our seats, we were again humbled to see the explosion of feedback on twitter and wanted to share it here with you. The tweeter’s details from the twitter profile are also included in italics. They are some really interesting folks so do follow them. We were touched to see so many people get on twitter just to solely tweet about us during the entire conference. THANK YOU everyone for your love.

One of our favourite comments (from twitter and attendees) – Talavya is the Beatles of Hindustani Music!

Also on the note of thanks. Thank you for the INK team for putting the conference together! Big shout out to the production / technical team of the conference as they made the experience so smooth and easy. Before a show, the least an artist can ask for is some piece of mind with regards to the technical set-up so that they can get into the mood of the performance. The technical team took care of all the details from our sound check the night before to preparation right before the session. They were extremely efficient, especially with the amount of stage changes they were dealing with. Of course the INK team also did a fantastic job with curation. Heena will be sharing her thoughts and review of the conference in a later post. Heena live-tweeted most of the sessions, that you can find on her profile @heenatabla and of course you can also follow us @talavya

TWITTER FEED ON @TALAVYA PERFORMANCE @INKCONFERENCE

Getting ready to groove to “Tabla Ecstasy” by @heenatabla and the rest of her her maestro’s ensemble, Talavya #inkconference - @minalh (Minal Hajratwala – Writer & writing coach; author of award-winning book LEAVING INDIA: My Family’s Journey from Five Villages to Five Continents; Fulbright Senior Scholar; repathttp://www.minalhajratwala.com)
@heenatabla [with Talavya]is now performing live at #inkconference – She’s fabulous, onstage and offstage! -@parmeshs (Parmesh Shahani – Global nomad, dot connector. Head of Godrej-India Culture Lab. Editor-at-Large for Verve. Author of Gay Bombay. http://parmesh.net)
From a fun drumjam session to the talented tabla session with @Talavya @heenatabla we’ve covered it all at #inkconference - @inkconference (The INK Conference taking from where TEDIndia left off | An idea platform for emerging economies | A movement to change how young people view their world | http://www.INKtalks.com)
@heenatabla !!!!!!!!amaaaaaazinkkk!!!! -@shilo1221 (Shilo Shiv Suleman – Artist. Storyteller. Navigator, Animator,Children book illustrator,TED INK fellow,speaker at WIRED and all things that Shimmer http://t.co/8Qm6u9l http://bonifisheii.blogspot.com/)
@heenatabla. Talavya on the stage at mixes rhythm +sounds #INKConference twitpic.com/7qos8j - @indiagames (India Games – India’s best source for Information and Access to the top Mobile, Online & Console Games http://www.indiagames.com
#inkconference lol… and that was the slow part! go tabla players @heenatabla - @minalh
Theyre having a conversation with Tabla’s. We want in @Talavya @heenatabla #inkconference - @Inkconference
#inkconference @heenatabla I like how head movements and facial grimaces are an essential part of tabla playing. - @minalh
#inkconference these guys [Talavya] are having a blast on stage!! Feeling the bounce! @heenatabla - @Shilo1221
Look around you – everyone’s smiling just looking @Talavya grinning while they make musical magic #inkconference - @inkconference
And they move like a wave as they drum away @Talavya @heenatabla #inkconference - @Inkconference
super performance on stage – awesome energy – most LIVELY so far #inkconference @heenatabla @Talavya -@mukeshrijhwani (Mukesh Rijhwani – father of twin daughters | patent holder | Software guy | Social media analyst | kindle lover | budding author | Veggie | blogger http://j.mp/mukwpblog)
I have fast typing fingers but nothing like @talavya ! All I see is a blur above the drums. #inkconference @heenatabla -@minalh
Tablas and harmonium rock. Brilliant jamming by @talavya @heenatabla @inkconference #inkconference yfrog.com/ochcpxwj - @_fakeiplplayer (Anupam Mukerji – One-time anonymous blogger. Author of The Gamechangers. Now cricket columnist & founder of online interactive radio station www.pitch- invasion.in http://www.fakeiplplayer.com)
RT @_fakeiplplayer: Tablas and harmonium rock. Brilliant jamming by @talavya @heenatabla @inkconference #inkconference… - @Cubasj (Joseph Cubas)
Don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone’s fingers move as fast as these tabla players at #inkconference @heenatabla are amazing! -@Shannaneegans (Shanna Carpenter)
@talavya @heenatabla #you guys look like the beatles of hindustani music!! Incredible!! #inkconference -@Shilo1221
Whatay performance! Salute to @talavya @heenatabla #inkconference -@Liveadda (Live from @blogadda We cover LIVE events in India. We have covered NASSCOM, TiE, INK, Proto, Headstart, Wordcamp and many more. We are an offshoot of @BlogAdda http://www.blogadda.com/)
Exceptional start to the afternoon session @inkconference – tabla ensemble extraordinaire by @talavya and @heenatabla #wow3 -@PKGulati (P K Gulati – Serial Entrepreneur, Angel Investor, Mentor, Idea Accelerator, Writer, Commentator, Twestival Champ, TiE Global Trustee/TEDSter/Techophile- Seek New Ideas / Teams http://www.gocomics.com/features/112/feature_items/411815)
I just witnessed fastest moving fingers! @Talavya was awesome. @heenatabla #INKConference -@Nirav (Nirav Sanghvi – Founder, BlogAdda.com @blogadda – The largest community of Indian Bloggers. Interested in blogging? bloggers? Let’s talk. http://blogadda.com)
Exceptional start to the afternoon session @inkconference – tabla ensemble extraordinaire by @talavya and @heenatablalockerz.com/s/163302904 - @PKGulati
@Talavya absolutely killed it at #inkconference. The highlight of many highlights today. Power, grace, discipline, immense musicality. - Guptaviolin87 (Robert Vijay Gupta – Musical activist. @LAPhil violinist bringing classical music to the homeless, mentally ill, and incarcerated through @Street_Symphony. TED Senior Fellow. http://about.me/robertvgupta)
@inkconference @talavya really moved my soul like my working humdrum cannot. -@Sporeboy1 (NicFoo – i am a boy chasing ideas & cultures, sharing through words, photography & music.http://sporeboyindelhi.tumblr.com)
Awesomeness!!!”@inkconference: Theyre having a conversation with Tabla’s. We want in @Talavya @heenatabla #inkconference” -@SwanandKirkire (Swanand Kirkire – lyricist singer actor director…. Yedaa Character)
@Talavya @heenatabla – you were AWESOME!!!! -@parmeshs
@talavya you guys were outstanding #inkconference -@Bsomaia (Bejul Somaia – VC in India. ItzCash. Indian Energy Exchange.)
@heenatabla @activecultures They [Talavya] were absolutely fantastic!! I’m having a hard time being patient about waiting to see them in nyc. - @Shannaneegans
@Talavya most welcome to see so much passion from you all. - @Sporeboy1
And @heenatabla [and Talavya] was simply awesome! #Inkconference -@GBSBindra
Thank YOU for those magical moments on stage @Talavya #inkconference - @Inkconference
@Talavya @inkconference A rocking performance! - @DSBedi (Deepinder Bedi)
@Talavya have to say you were absolutely brilliant yesterday. Thank you for sharing your art with us #inkconference -@Raghavkk (Artist and TED speaker)
@heenatabla and @talavya were sheer awesomeness. Looking forward to take our talk on Indian music ahead #inkconference -@Harishk (Harish Krishnan – Listen more and Tweet less. Talk to me about Indian Blogs, Cars, Bikes, Food and I will try to enhance your knowledge on the same. I make chai @ BlogAdda.com.http://harishkrishnan.wordpress.com)
@Talavya @heenatabla Can’t wait to see you again in LA. Meeting you was such a highlight this week! -Guptalaviolin87

Talavya Fall 2011 US Tour Details

Rhythm Riders — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 15:13:35 +0000

And less than 6 months after their spring tour, Talavya is headed by the US for another whirlwind tour. Shows are still being added so check back.

Thursday September 15, 2011 in San Francisco
Red Poppy Art House, 2698 Folsom St(415) 826-2402
Doors 6pm, Concert at 7pm
Suggested Admission: $15; Tickets are available at door

Friday September 16, 2011 in Ojai, CA
with Kathak by Jin Won
Presenter: Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts
Zalk Theatre (Besant Hill School), 8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Road
Time: 7:30pm
Admission: $15 Advance, $20 Door
Click here for more information

Sunday September 18, 2011 in Chico, CA
Chico World Music Festival
CSU Campus, Chico, CANoon / 2:30pm
Admission: Free
Click here for more info

Monday September 19, 2011 in Berkeley, CA
Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse, 2020 Addison St
Doors open at 7pm, Concert at 8pm
Purchase tickets here
Click here for more info

September 20th in Carbondale, CO
Steve’s Guitars, Carbondale, Colorado
Doors 7:30pm, Concert 8:30pm
Admission: $15
For information, visit http://www.stevesguitars.net/
Call 970-963-3304 to reserve seats

September 21 – September 22 in Boulder, Colorado
Email info@talavya.com for more details

September 23 in Houston, TX
BAPS Swaminarayan Temple, 1150 Brand Lane, Stafford, TX
Time: 8:00pm
Free Admission

Sunday September 25, 2011 in Long Island, NY
with Kathak by Jin (JoungJin) Won
Vaishnav Temple of New York, 100 Lakeville Road,New Hyde Park, NY 11040
Time: 4pm
Tickets: $15 Advance, $20 Door
Purchase tickets here

Saturday October 1, 2011 in Chicago, IL
Presenter: Chicago South Asian Film Festival
Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E Randolph Street
Doors 6pm, Concert 6:15pm
Free Admission; First come, first serve
More information

Sunday October 2, 2011 in Wayne, NJ
with Kathak by Jin (JoungJin) Won and Sitar by Abhik Mukherjee
Presenter: India Cultural Society / Mahatma Gandhi Center
Passaic County Technical Institute,45 Reinhardt Road
Time: 4pm
Tickets: $100, $50, $20
Buy Tickets here

Monday October 3, 2011 – Bollywood Workshop in Queens, NY
Jackson Heights Library
Time: 6pm

Friday October 7, 2011 in Edison, NJ
with Kathak by Jin (JoungJin) Won
Shree Krushna Vrundavana Temple, 215 May StreetDoors 7pm,
Concert 7:45pm
Tickets: $15 Advance, $20 Door
More information

Saturday October 8, 2011 in Richmond, VA
with Kathak by Jin (JoungJin) Won
Greater Richmond Convention Center, 403 North Third Street
Time: 5pm
FREE Admission
More information

Sunday October 9th in Nashville, TN
Email info@talavya.com for details

Music Monday: To be Gharanedar

Rhythm Riders — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 19:52:55 +0000

For today’s Music Monday, I am not sharing a piece of music per say, but a documentary that has many pieces of music in it. Titled “Khandaan” this video explores what it means to be a khandaani musician or gharanedar (belonging to a family of musical lineage) from the viewpoint of Ustad Shujaat Khan, son of Ustad Vilayat Khan. The video gives great insight into the unique experiences that a musician from a musical family has. Of course, he also play various compositions in the video as well while sharing stories of how he learned the pieces. Very well done video that I think you will enjoy. It is in 5 parts. Do take the time to watch them all.

Gharana / Khandaan Chart of Ustad Shujaat Khan c/o IMC Net Dot Radio

What is Music Monday?

Music Monday with a Maestro: Laykari

Rhythm Riders — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 09:54:20 +0000

Today’s Music Monday is not a piece of Indian classical music, but has a lot to do with Indian classical music. This video is of a classic drum solo by Simon Philips.

Why have I selected this piece?

The solo is set to 7 beats and it features intense layakari and commanding rhythms. The balance between rhythm and sound (utilizing the different sonds of drums – highs and lows and metals; and comparing it to the flow of rhythm) is a very important feature of this piece. Try to catch the different rhythm patterns he is playing within the cycle of 7.

Simon Philips – Drums Solo

What is Music Monday?

Guru Poornima 2011

Rhythm Riders — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 18:05:12 +0000

Every year on the auspicious day of Guru Poornima, the students of Rhythm Riders come together to honour their Guru – Pandit Divyang Vakil and lineage with performances by amateur to professional artists of the music institute. The event has become one of the most anticipated celebrations in the Rhythm Riders calender in Ahmedabad as family, friends and well-wishers witness the talent that has been cultivated under Ahmedabad’s own tabla maestro and composer. While Panditji teaches around the world, he makes it a point to be in his hometown for this day and his students come from different parts of the globe to be with their guru on this occasion.

Rhythm Riders’ Guru Poornima concert has always had a diverse line-up and this year is no different. Performances include a trio of female tabla players (from Canada, Korea and India) and the globe-trotting tabla ensemble Talavya who will be debuting a new tabla composition by Panditji called “Tabla Trends.” Rushi Vakil, son of Pandit Divyang Vakil, will also be presenting one of his own compositions featuring Korean drummer Yu Kwang-wha on the jangu, Jignesh Sheth on bass guitar and Rushi on tabla.

This year’s Guru Poornima concert will be held at Prakash Higher Secondary School, near Sandesh Press in Vastrapur at 8pm on July 15^th. There are no passes or tickets, but we suggest arriving on time if you want to get a good seat.

Music Monday with a Maestro: Pandit Debu Chaudhuri

Rhythm Riders — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 08:00:40 +0000

This Bhairavi dhun by Pandit Debu Chaudhuri (on sitar) is one of my favourites. Debuji is a very sensitive player. His performances are full of emotion. He is accompanied by Ustad Shafaat Khan on tabla, who unknown to many was also a great sitar player.

Pandit Debu Chaudhuri plays Bhairavi Dhun

What is Music Monday?

Music Monday with a Maestro: Pandit Hariprasad

Rhythm Riders — Mon, 04 Jul 2011 15:31:50 +0000

Raag Pahadi is one of the identity raags of Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia. To hear him play Pahadi is an experience. It’s great fun to watch this video as it features a very young Hariji and takes me back to our younger days. He is accompanied by Zakirbhai, whose accompaniment I spoke of in a previous Music Monday.

Pandit Hariprasad – Pahadi Part 1

Pandit Hariprasad – Pahadi Part 2

What is Music Monday?