‘RamTa - Taufiq Qureshi and Bickram Ghosh’

RamTa is a vibrant confluence of rhythm, energy, and tradition, led by two of India’s leading percussionists, Bickram Ghosh and Taufiq Qureshi. Blending classical, folk, and contemporary Indian styles, the concert is a dynamic celebration of rhythm in all its forms.

The name combines ‘Bickram’ and ‘Taufiq’, reflecting their playful spirit and deep musical connection. At its core is a seamless exchange of Bickram’s intricate tabla meeting Taufiq’s distinctive adaptation of the African djembe within Indian rhythmic structures. Together, they layer in breath and body percussion, handsonic, and drum kit to create a genre-fluid, richly textured experience.

A Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee, Bickram is known for his work in classical and fusion music, with global performances and over 50 film scores to his name. Taufiq, a disciple of Ustad Allarakha and influenced by Ustad Zakir Hussain, pioneered the Indian djembe style and developed a rhythmic language built on vocal syllables, breath, and movement.

They are joined by an exceptional ensemble that includes V. Suresh on ghatam, Sridhar Parthasarathy on mridangam, and the Mumbai Stamp Band with Lejhim drums. From frame duffs and bongos to congas and trash percussion, the show’s soundscape is both rich and unexpected. Abhisek Mallick on electric sitar and Anay Gadgil on keyboards bring melodic depth to the rhythmic core.