Tabla Recording and Live Rhythm Performances
A look at my musical journey—from traditional classical kaidas to modern hip-hop fusion and collaborative live jams.
This is a reimagination of a groovy hip-hop track by Hanumankind, where I layered tabla, shakers, and other hand percussion. It’s a great example of how traditional Indian rhythms can add a unique texture to contemporary music.
It was a blast to have an impromptu jam session with the incredible drummer Nicco from Sweden. This clip shows how I collaborate in real-time with other musicians, finding a common language between the tabla and a full drum kit.
As a tribute to the legendary Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri, I'm playing a Lucknow Dhig Dhina Kaida he taught me. This showcases the pure, traditional side of my tabla playing, rooted in the teachings of the great masters.
Here I am backstage with my tablas before a live performance for an NBA event at the Dome, Worli. I love the energy of playing for live events and bringing the sound of the tabla to diverse audiences.
To celebrate Durga Puja, I created this jam session blending the tabla with the festive sounds of the Dhaak. This is an example of how I can create thematic and culturally rich percussion pieces for special projects.
This video gives a peek into my remote recording process. I am using Ableton to create a groove with my own tabla samples and then jamming over it, showing how I build layered, high-quality rhythm tracks for clients anywhere in the world.
A wonderful in-studio session in Kolkata with a sarod player and a drummer from Sweden. This image captures the collaborative spirit of my work, bringing together artists from different musical worlds to create something new.
About Featured
I focus on the 'Dayan' (treble) and 'Bayan' (bass) frequency balance to ensure my tabla sits perfectly in your mix. I deliver clean, grid-aligned stems so your sound engineer gets a ready-to-use track without phase issues, whether we are working remotely or in the studio.
How We Work Together
Music is a language, and my goal is to help you say what you need to say. Whether you are building a track from scratch or need a specific rhythm to glue your song together, I approach every session as a listener first.
Remote Recording Services
Most of my production work happens remotely. You provide the BPM and the vibe, and I record high-resolution, dry stems in my Mumbai studio space. I deliver these as individual files (Dayan and Bayan separately) so you have full control over the mix later. If your track requires a fuller sound, I also layer in Cajon, shakers, or Kanjira to build a complete percussion bed.
Fusion and Classical Versatility
My work spans across genres because I don't believe in rigid boundaries. While I am rooted in the traditional techniques taught to me by my father, Pt. Sunil Banerjee, and my gurus, I love the challenge of adapting those sounds to hip-hop, jazz, or electronic music.
- For Fusion/Pop/Hip-Hop: I focus on 'swing' and pocket, ensuring the tabla adds flavor without cluttering the frequency range.
- For Classical/Ghazal: I focus on the nuances of 'Bol' (syllables) and the technical purity of the 'Theka' (rhythmic cycle), providing the necessary supportive base for vocalists or instrumentalists like Santoor and Sarod players.
I am always open to 'wild' ideas. If you have a specific texture in mind, let’s discuss the references. My process is flexible—one round of minor revisions is included in standard tracks to make sure the rhythm feels exactly right for your vision.
Unmesh Banerjee
I've spent my life learning the language of the tabla, from the guidance of my father, Pt. Sunil Banerjee, to jamming with international musicians. I love bridging the gap between deep-rooted classical techniques and the needs of modern production. If you need someone who listens to your track first and plays for the song, let's talk.
Let's find the right rhythm for your track.
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