Kalyan Pathak Performs the Tabla for Indian American composer Reena Esmail's Chamak

Now in our 69th year, Northshore Concert Band is thrilled to announce that Kalyan Pathak, one of the most sought-after tabla, drum set, and multi-ethnic percussionists in the United States, is the special guest artist soloist for our spring concert on April 13, 2025, at the Pick-Staiger Concert Hall on the Northwestern University campus in Evanston, IL.

Kalyan Pathak will perform the tabla for Indian American composer Reena Esmail’s inventive new work Chamak. This work finds inspiration in the writing of Kabir and presents three movements based on traditional Hindustani ragas — a framework for improvisation and composition in Indian classical music. What makes the song unique is that it’s the first band piece based solely on Hindustani music. The composer says this about the work:

“I hope this piece ignites a spark in two ways. I hope it is a reminder to follow that spark that lies within each of us. And more broadly, I hope that this piece sparks an interest in Indian classical music in the band world — these musical cultures have been separate for so many years, and I hope this piece sparks further connection between these two worlds.”

Kalyan Pathak is an expert table player, has played since childhood, and is lauded for his “fleet finger virtuosity” (Howard Reich, Chicago Tribune). He is among the most sought-after tabla, drum set, and multi-ethnic percussionists in the United States.

Considered one of Chicago’s best-kept secrets by Chicago Tribune’s Christopher Borrelli, Tributosaurus says this about Kalyan Pathak:

Kalyan Pathak brings a level of virtuosity to his instruments that makes each show sing at the percussion chair, but he brings so much more than that. [T]he energy and love for the process of music making that he brings to each show that he is a part of is infectious - both to the audience and the performers on stage.

Indian American composer Reena Esmail works between the worlds of Indian and Western classical music and brings communities together through the creation of equitable musical spaces.

Read our exclusive interviews!

Reena Esmail HERE.

Kalyan Pathak, Part One HERE

Kalyan Pathak, Part Two HERE

Kalyan Pathak Performs the Tabla for Indian American composer Reena Esmail's Chamak

SPIRITED AWAY