Pandit Ronu Majumdar — Bansuri
Padma Shri awardee and Guinness World Record holder Pandit Ronu Majumdar is one of India’s most celebrated Bansuri (Indian bamboo flute) virtuosos. With a career spanning several decades, he has played a pivotal role in bringing the expressive beauty of the Indian flute to younger generations and audiences across the globe.
A leading exponent of Hindustani classical flute, Pandit Ronu Majumdar has developed a distinctive musical language that blends the depth and spiritual character of Dhrupad Gayaki with intricate Laykari, creating a style that is both rooted in tradition and highly individual. His artistry, innovation, and extraordinary command of the Bansuri have made his name virtually synonymous with the instrument.
His remarkable contributions to music have earned him numerous national and international honors. He was awarded the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for 2014 for his contribution to Hindustani instrumental music, and was conferred the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors. His work has also received international recognition, including a GRAMMY nomination in 1996.
He has also led the historic “Venu Naad”, bringing together 5,378 flautists on a single stage—a spectacular musical achievement that earned another entry in the Guinness World Records and underscored his extraordinary contribution to the global appreciation of the Bansuri.
Ronu Majumdar began his musical journey under the guidance of his father, Dr. Bhanu Majumdar, and later studied with Pandit Lakshman Prasad Jaipurwale and the revered Pandit Vijay Raghav Rao. He was also fortunate to receive guidance from the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar, further enriching his musical vision. Deeply rooted in the Maihar tradition, his music reflects a rare balance of classical discipline, innovation, and contemporary sensibility.
Beyond the classical concert stage, Ronu Majumdar has established an influential presence in contemporary and world music. His collaborations with internationally acclaimed musicians have expanded the reach of the Bansuri far beyond traditional boundaries.
His creative work extends to film and visual media as well. Pandit Ronu Majumdar composed the music for India’s first IMAX film, Mystic India, while Films Division of India produced a documentary on his life and artistry titled Bansuriwala.
Through his performances, collaborations, compositions, and record-setting musical endeavors, he remains a powerful ambassador for Indian music on the world stage.
Maestro Harshad Kanetkar — Tabla
Harshad Kanetkar is an accomplished Tabla maestro from India, whose artistry blends the rich traditions of Hindustani classical music with a versatile, contemporary approach to rhythm. He began his Tabla journey at the age of five under the guidance of Shri Pandurang Mukhade, Pandit Ramdas Palsule, and Taalyogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar.
Recognized as one of the promising Tabla artists of his generation, Harshad is equally accomplished as a solo performer and accompanist, collaborating with distinguished vocalists, instrumentalists, and dancers. His playing is celebrated for its precision, clarity, tonal sensitivity, rhythmic depth, and remarkable stamina—qualities that have earned appreciation from some of the most respected musicians in the field.
Over the course of his career, Harshad has performed alongside numerous eminent artists at prestigious music conferences, festivals, and concert venues across the world. His international performing career has taken him to 17+ countries, sharing the expressive power of Tabla with audiences across diverse cultures.
His musical journey extends beyond the boundaries of a single tradition. Harshad has worked extensively across Hindustani and Carnatic classical music, while also exploring collaborations within the Western and world music landscapes. This breadth of experience has shaped his distinctive musical voice while remaining deeply rooted in the classical Tabla tradition.
Among his many achievements and honors, Harshad is a recipient of the prestigious National Scholarship Award from the Government of India, recognizing his dedication and excellence in the field of Indian classical music. He has also been selected to serve on the judging panel of the Recording Academy, the organization behind the internationally renowned GRAMMY Awards.
As an educator, Harshad is equally committed to nurturing the next generation of musicians. For more than six years, he has been training 90+ students across the DFW Metroplex, passing on the discipline, artistry, and tradition of Tabla to a growing community of aspiring musicians.
His creative work also extends into recorded music. His albums Resonance, Divinity, and Trinity — A World Music Album are available worldwide across major music streaming platforms.
Through performance, collaboration, education, and recording, Maestro Harshad Kanetkar continues to bring the timeless language of Tabla to contemporary audiences around the world—honoring its heritage while expanding its musical possibilities.