S. Akash & Vivek Pandya | Manas Kumar & Ojas Adhiya

Raga & Rhythm: Contemporary Maestros Series

An ICMCA Double-Bill Concert Experience

ICMCA is delighted to present a unique double-bill concert experience—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]

Manas Kumar (Violin) with Ojas Adhiya (Tabla)

The second concert brings together violin virtuoso Manas Kumar and the celebrated tabla artist Ojas Adhiya, in a powerful and lyrical exploration of raga and rhythm, enhanced by a surprise saxophone collaboration that promises an exciting dimension to the evening.

Manas Kumar is among India’s leading young Hindustani violinists, known for his soulful raga interpretation, rhythmic precision, and refined musical sensibility. A top-honors graduate of Bhatkhande University and an A-grade artist of All India Radio, he is the recipient of prestigious accolades including the SURMANI title and senior scholarships from the Government of India. His performances reflect a rare balance of emotional depth and technical sophistication, earning him acclaim across India and abroad.

On tabla is Ojas Adhiya, a prodigy whose extraordinary talent was recognized in early childhood. Trained initially under Mridangraj Ji and mentored through extensive performance exposure with legendary music directors Kalyanji–Anandji, Ojas has performed over 500 concerts worldwide. Known for his dexterous fingering, fluid phrasing, and genre-spanning versatility, he has collaborated with an exceptional roster of artists including Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Anoushka Shankar, Kaushiki Chakraborty, John McLaughlin, and many others. His achievements include recognition in the Limca Book of Records as India’s youngest tabla player, along with numerous national honors.

In addition to a richly layered violin-tabla dialogue, this concert will feature a thrilling tabla solo by Ojas Adhiya, showcasing his signature virtuosity and rhythmic brilliance.