Pt. Pankaj Mishra and Vinay Desai with Vivek Pandya

Pt. Pankaj Mishra

Pt. Pankaj Mishra is one of the foremost Sarangi virtuosos of his generation, carrying the proud legacy of the Banaras Gharana. Trained under the strict guidance of the legendary Pt. Mahesh Prasad Mishra of Banaras Gharana. Pankaj embodies the rare blend of tradition, depth, and emotion that defines the finest of Indian classical music.

Pankaj is a Visharad from Prayag Sangeet Samiti and an “A” graded artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan. Pankaj is celebrated for his soulful renditions and the rare finesse with which he brings the voice of the sarangi to life.

Currently based in Toronto, Canada, he has performed across India, the U.S., Canada, Most European countries, Kenia, and Trinidad, leaving an indelible mark on audiences worldwide. He has graced some of the most prestigious stages, including the Dover Lane Music Conference, Sangeet Piyasi, Swar Samrat Festival, and the Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh, Red Rocks, Ali Akbar College, and many more on the list.

A highly sought-after accompanist and soloist, Pankaj has collaborated with legends across genres—Pt. Swapan Chaudhuri, Pt. Kumar Bose, Pt. Anindo Chatterjee, Vidushi Girija Devi, Ustad Tari Khan, Ghazal maestro Ghulam Ali, and Pt. Birju Maharaj, to name just a few. Equally revered in Classical, Ghazal, Kathak, and Bollywood & Hollywood circles, his versatility and mastery have made him a global ambassador of the sarangi.

Pt. Pankaj Mishra’s artistry reached a landmark achievement with his contribution to the GRAMMY Award-Winning 2026 — IMMERSED (Album from Canada). His sarangi performance brings depth to the album, bridging Indian classical tradition with a contemporary global soundscape.

With every performance, Pt. Pankaj Mishra offers more than music—he offers a journey into the soul of an ancient art form, carried forward with grace, brilliance, and devotion.

Vinay Desai

Vinay is a direct disciple of the world-renowned Santoor Maestro Padma Vibhusan Pandit Shivkumar Sharmaji. After graduating from college in Delaware, Vinay sought out to learn Santoor in India. Having had some background training in tabla and vocal, in 2011, Pandit Shivkumar Sharmaji guided Vinay to begin his training under Takahiro Arai and Kunal Gunjal, before being accepted by Panditji himself. Vinay regularly performs throughout USA, including Hawaii, Argentina, Canada, The Bahamas, Australia, and India.  He has performed for some of the well known organizations and prestigious festivals in different countries including Fringe Festival in Adelaide, Mona Foma in Tasmania, Lollapalooza Festival in Argentina (Vinay was one of the first Santoor players to play in an orchestra in Argentina), Festival of Tabla in L.A., KBF Festival in Arizona, Kussum Mahotsav TSA in NJ, Darpan in Texas, Jaipur Literature Festival, SwarZankar in Pune, Swar Samarat Festival in Kolkata, NMACC in Mumbai, Hamsadhwani, Matra in Kolkata, Starglam Entertainment in Canada, among many others. Though specializing in Indian Classical Music, Vinay has worked with all genres with shows of Bollywood music, Hollywood music, Theater and drama music, etc. He is known for his meditative and dynamic musical phrases. His devotion to the purity and the depth of Shivkumar Sharma’s style comes forth in performance. Vinay continues to spread his Guru’s work not only through performances but also teaching and lecturing at different places. He has performed with legends including Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, Ustad Tari khan, Ustad Sukhvinder Singh Pinky. and some of the most glamorous upcoming Tabla players. Vinay is known for his superlative melodic improvisations and sharp sense of rhythm. He has an astonishing ability to embrace, dive into and reinterpret traditional music.

Vivek Pandya

Vivek Pandya is a rising star in the world of Indian classical percussion, widely regarded as one of the most promising young tabla players of his generation. His journey began at the age of three when his parents first noticed his uncanny precision as he playfully mimicked rhythmic patterns on the tabla. Recognizing his natural talent, his father took a keen interest in his musical development and decided to take him to study formally. This early exposure to formal training set him on a path that would soon reveal his exceptional musicality and innate understanding of rhythm.

Trained for over 15 years under Pt. Anindo Chatterjee, Vivek has developed a distinctive style that blends technical brilliance with deep artistic expression. Known for his exceptional clarity and control, he has mastered complex techniques such as the intricate dhir dhir and the challenging one-finger na dhin dhin na, which add depth and complexity to his performances.

Vivek made his national debut on NYC radio, and has since performed at prestigious venues, including Lincoln Center in New York City and the EMPAC Concert Hall at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His captivating performances—both as a soloist and as an accompanist to renowned musicians—have earned him recognition as an upcoming young maestro in the world of Indian percussion.

In addition to his classical music performances, Vivek has explored new musical frontiers through projects like the albums “Strive” and “20 for 20,” where he collaborates with artists from diverse genres, expanding the reach of the tabla. His versatility and dedication continue to earn him admiration, and he is widely regarded as one of the most exciting tabla players to watch in the coming years.

With his technical brilliance, creative vision, and unwavering commitment to his craft, Vivek Pandya is on the path to becoming a defining figure in the world of tabla, poised to influence generations to come.