S. Akash (Flute) & Vivek Pandya (Tabla) | TBA

Raga & Rhythm: Contemporary Maestros Series

An ICMCA Double-Bill Concert Experience

ICMCA is delighted to present a mini-festival that celebrates the brilliance, vitality, and evolving voice of Hindustani classical music. This special afternoon brings together two distinct concerts, each pairing an outstanding melodic artist with a masterful tabla accompanist, offering audiences a rare opportunity to experience contrasting musical conversations within a single immersive event.

An intermission between the two concerts allows audiences to relax, connect, and enjoy refreshments, before returning for a second spellbinding performance. Adding to the excitement, each concert will feature a short tabla solo, highlighting the rhythmic mastery and individual artistry of two of today’s most compelling tabla musicians.

Concert I: [3:00 – 5:00 PM]

S. Akash (Flute) with Vivek Pandya (Tabla)

The first concert of the evening features flute maestro S. Akash, accompanied by the exceptional young tabla artist Vivek Pandya, in a deeply expressive and rhythmically charged presentation.

Born in 1997, S. Akash is a child prodigy whose musical journey began at the age of four under the late Pandit Venkatesh Godkindi, and continues under the guidance of Pandit Jayateerth Mevundi. Known for his extraordinary musical intuition and intricate raga development, Akash performs with remarkable depth despite not relying on written notation. His artistry has earned him numerous honors, including the Child Prodigy Award, the Pogo Amazing Kids Award, and the Bharat Ratna Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi Fellowship. He has performed extensively across India and internationally, collaborating with leading musicians such as Pandit Ajay Chakraborty, Ustad Taufiq Qureshi, Shankar Mahadevan, and Kaushiki Chakraborty.

Accompanying him is Vivek Pandya, one of the most exciting young tabla players of his generation. Trained for over fifteen years under the legendary Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, Vivek is admired for his technical clarity, refined tonal control, and fearless command of complex rhythmic structures. He has performed at prestigious venues including Lincoln Center (NYC) and EMPAC Concert Hall, and has earned recognition both as a sensitive accompanist and a compelling soloist. His versatility also extends to cross-genre collaborations and recordings, reflecting a modern artistic vision rooted firmly in classical tradition.

This concert will culminate in a dynamic tabla solo by Vivek Pandya, offering audiences a glimpse into his rhythmic imagination and virtuosic command.

Concert II: [5:30 – 7:30 PM]

TO BE ANNOUNCED – STAY TUNED!