Journey of 100 Strings - come enjoy the sounds of the Valleys of Kashmir with the sounds of Tabla. A journey that takes you within to the core of your soul.

Vinay is a direct disciple of the world renowned Santoor Maestro Padma Vibhusan Pandit Shivkumar Sharmaji. After graduating 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, Jazz, and western Classical. 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. The concert will begin with a meditative melodic improvisation that takes the listeners to a place of deep stillness. Once the mood of the raag is set and the ambience built, the Sarang will join Vinay in creating powerful rhythmic phrases that take the listeners on a melodic and rhythmic journey. The concert usually ends with a fast paced piece that enthralls the audience. Usually, this classical piece can last for about 1 hour and 15 minutes followed by a semi classical devotional piece. Vinay is known for his superlative melodic improvisations and sharp sense of rhythm. With Sarang, they have an astonishing ability to embrace, dive into and reinterpret traditional music.

Eman Hashimi, one of today’s most sought-after Afghan percussionists, is widely recognized as the future of Afghan tabla. Born into the celebrated Hashimi musical family of Kabul’s historic Kharabat quarter, he is the son of legendary maestro Ustad Toryalai Hashimi, a pioneer of Afghan tabla. A child prodigy, Eman gave his first concert at age nine alongside his father, later studying under the world-renowned Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, with whom he became one of the youngest tabla players to perform in duet. His artistry bridges Afghan classical and folk traditions with the Punjab Gharana style of tabla, creating a sound that is both deeply rooted and globally resonant. Eman has performed at the Kennedy Center, San Francisco World Music Festival, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, and beyond, collaborating across genres from Afghan and Indian classical music to jazz, folk, and world traditions. He also serves as founder and Director of Percussion at PACA (Preservation of Afghan Cultural Arts), where he is dedicated to preserving and promoting Afghanistan’s musical heritage at a time when music is banned in its homeland.

100 Strings - Vinay Desai

100 Strings - Vinay Desai