Sitar & Tabla Jugalbandi Performances
A live classical conversation where strings and rhythm meet. Whether it is a solo sitar recital or a synchronized jugalbandi with my brother, I bring the soul of Indian classical music to your stage.
Recording a sitar duet with my elder brother Chirag Katti and Amit Kavthekar on tabla. These studio sessions are intense, focused, and incredibly rewarding.
A sitar duet performance with my brother at a private baithak in Phoenix, Arizona. It was a special evening, made even more memorable by the presence of sitar maestro Ustad Shahid Parvez ji in the audience.
Another angle from our jugalbandi performance in Phoenix. The setup here is traditional, with us seated on the floor, which helps create an authentic and grounded musical atmosphere.
On stage in Chicago for a sitar duet concert. This setup, with two sitars and a tabla, allows for a rich interplay of melodies and rhythms, a core element of a classical jugalbandi.
Performing for a full audience in St. Louis. You can see the classic trio format: my brother and I on sitar, with our accompanist on tabla, creating a complete classical music experience.
A close-up of our performance in Chicago, showing the concentration and coordination required for a sitar duet. Every concert is a unique musical journey.
Our performance projected on a large screen during our USA tour. This setup is great for large venues, ensuring everyone in the audience gets a close-up view of the intricate fingerwork on the sitar.
A wide shot of our concert stage during the USA Fall Tour. We often use a backdrop like this to create a visually appealing setting that complements the traditional music.
A moment before our concert in Omaha, the first of the tour. The stage is set for a traditional sitar duet, with a projector screen in the back for concert details.
A casual practice session with my brother Chirag. These informal moments of playing together are just as important as stage performances for building our musical chemistry.
About Sitar & Tabla Jugalbandi
When planning a jugalbandi, the seating setup matters more than you might think. We prefer a traditional floor arrangement on a raised platform, which fosters the intuitive eye contact and spontaneous musical cues between the sitar and tabla players that give a classical performance its soul.
A jugalbandi is essentially a musical conversation. Whether I am performing a traditional sitar recital with a tabla accompanist or sharing the stage with my brother Chirag Katti for a synchronized duet, the focus remains on the interplay between melody and rhythm. We delve into classical raags, exploring deep, meditative passages before building up to the intricate, fast-paced exchanges that define this art form.
For corporate events, intimate home concerts, or festivals, we adapt the scale of the performance. A solo recital with tabla creates a grounded, ambient atmosphere perfect for receptions or corporate inaugurals, while a full sitar duet offers a more dynamic, headlining experience for larger audiences.
Regarding technicals, please ensure your venue has a raised stage of at least 8x6 ft for a trio or 12 ft wide for a duet, as the physical proximity of the musicians is vital for our coordination. We use Shure SM57/58 microphones to capture the nuances of the strings and percussion. If you are curious about specific raags for your event or need advice on how to integrate live classical music into your program, let’s chat.
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