Tabla Recording and Session Work

Working in a studio setting is distinct from performing on a stage. When I step into a studio in Mumbai or Delhi, my goal is to serve the song. This means adapting the heavy, powerful strikes of the Punjab Gharana style to suit the requirements of your composition.

For Gurbani Kirtan or spiritual projects, like my work with Sabad Naad, I focus on the ras (mood) of the Shabad, ensuring the tabla creates an environment of devotion. In modern collaborations, such as with vocalists like Nikita Bharani, I look at how the tabla can support the vocal line without overpowering it.

My Studio Process

• Mic Placement: I bring my own instrument and have experience working with various mic setups to capture the deep low end and the crisp high end of the tabla.
• Precision: We focus on keeping the rhythm tight, especially when playing over electronic beats or metronome tracks.
• Collaboration: I am happy to experiment. If you have a specific sound in mind, whether it needs to be dry and intimate or spacious and resonant, we can adjust the tuning and playing technique to match.
• Flexibility: I have experience recording for various genres including classical, folk, jazz, and fusion.

If you are planning a recording, it helps to share a rough draft or the tempo of the song beforehand so I can prepare the specific compositions that fit your arrangement. Let's create something together that respects the tradition while fitting the modern soundscape.