About

Chakardar is Europe’s leading promoter of Indian percussion. It seeks to enhance the understanding of Indian Classical Drumming with its complex rhythmic patterns across all communities in the UK and Europe. Established in 2000, Chakardar began as a small tabla tarang ensemble of students led by Ustad Harkirat Singh Rayatt. Borne out of a deep-grained passion, Chakardar expanded as the UK’s leading promoter of Indian percussion, establishing a name for itself as an organisation which values Tabla excellence and promoting it with a passion unrivalled in the UK. A not-for-profit organisation with the aim of representing global tabla artistes and performers, Chakardar showcases talent and sharing knowledge with avid listeners and tabla enthusiasts across the country. It promotes awareness of this extremely versatile instrument through artistic projects to inspire interest. Chakardar’s extensive experience and links with great maestros allows for the influx of the highest calibre of expertise into the UK.

Beginning as a tabla tarang ensemble, Chakardar was formed in 1995 by Ustad Harkirat Singh Rayatt, a dedicated and experienced teacher for over 30 years and a disciple of the revered late Ustad Gurmit Singh Virdee. Passionate about sharing his knowledge with hundreds of students, his connections with prominent world indian classical and tabla maestros, performers and teachers has allowed Chakardar to grow in prominence, as the leading promoter of the tabla in the UK today.

Respected Invited Tabla Players include:

Pandit Shankar Ghosh, Pandit Suresh Talwalkar, Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, Pandit Kumar Bose, Pandit Nayan Ghosh, Pandit Yogesh Samsi, Pandit Subhankar Banerjee, Ustad Akram Khan, Ustad Sukhvinder Singh Namdhari, Pandit Sanju Sahai, Pandit Bickram Ghosh, Prabhu Edouard, Satyajit Talwalkar, Shahbaz Hussain, Sankar Chowdhury, Rimpa Shiva

Chakardar is proud to have hosted performances/workshops/concerts and collaborated with the following artists and groups:

Pandit Shankar Ghosh
Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri
Pandit Anindo Chatterjee
Pandit Kumar Bose
Pandit Suresh Talwalkar
Pandit Nayan Ghosh

Pandit Kushal Das
Ustad Sukhvinder Singh Namdhari
Pandit Yogesh Samsi
Ustad Akram Khan
Pandit Subhankar Banerjee
Pandit Sanju Sahai

Pandit Bickram Ghosh
Prabhu Edouard
Rhythmscape (UK & Europe)
Rimpa Shiva
Sankar Chowdhury
Shahbaz Hussain

and many more!

Tabla Connoisseurs

For avid listeners and tabla connoisseurs alike, Chakardar provides intense tabla solo performances ranging from completely traditional to modern.

World Music & Fusion

For the world music enthusiast, Chakardar hosts fusion concerts which bring artists from varying traditions and disciples together in unique syncretic performances.

Knowledge & Learning

For the student and knowledge seekers, Chakardar holds regular tabla classes across various regional hubs in the UK, as well as numerous workshops, lecture demos and the long-established Chakardar Residential Tabla Summer School for concentrated development.

Student Development

Students benefit from the Chakardar experience, including the opportunity to perform in the Chakardar Tabla Ensemble, a tarang arrangement of tabla students performing in a group setting on a regular basis.