Niladri Kumaar, sitar
Niladri Kumaar brings his expansive Indian classical sound to Sixth & I in a program drawn from *Space Between the Notes*, his only recorded live performance with the late tabla legend Zakir Hussain. The concert serves both as a preview of the album, scheduled for release later in 2026, and as a tribute to the musical relationship between the two artists.
Kumaar will perform on sitar and zitar with a cross-cultural ensemble blending Indian classical tradition, improvisation, and jazz influences. The program, titled “The Space Between the Notes,” is part of Kumaar’s specially curated 2026–2027 tour, which extends the reach of Indian music while honoring the tradition shared by Kumaar and Hussain.
When: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Showtime: 7:30 p.m.
Venue: Sixth & I Historic Synagogue
Program: “The Space Between the Notes,” featuring selections from *Space Between the Notes*
Tickets: Price not available
Lineup: Niladri Kumaar, sitar and zitar; Agnelo Fernandes, keys; Sambit Chatterjee, drums; and Satyajit Talwalkar, tabla
About Niladri Kumaar: Kumaar is a celebrated sitar maestro, composer, and innovator regarded as an ambassador and leading figure of Indian classical music. His distinctive playing combines centuries-old tradition with creative experimentation. He collaborated frequently with Zakir Hussain, and their sitar-tabla partnership became one of the most prominent collaborations in Indian music.
About the program: *Space Between the Notes* documents a live concert by Kumaar and Hussain in Mumbai and is described as their only recorded performance together. The tour presents specially selected portions of that recording alongside Kumaar’s live work with sitar, zitar, and the ensemble. The album is expected to be released later in 2026.
Agnelo Fernandes: Fernandes began with violin and trumpet before studying French horn and turning to piano and keyboards. His work includes pop, jazz, electronic programming, and synthesis, and he has collaborated with artists including Raju Singh, Shiamak Davar, Pritam, Salim-Suleiman, Rabbi Shergill, Shibani Kashyap, and Niladri Kumaar.
Sambit Chatterjee: Chatterjee is a drummer who also studied tabla with his father, GRAMMY-nominated tabla artist Pandit Subhen Chatterjee. He has performed with artists and groups spanning Indian classical, jazz, rock, and popular music, including Niladri Kumaar, DIVINE, Mohini Dey, Amyt Datta, and Nikhita Gandhi. He has appeared at major festivals, toured with his own bands, and performed alongside international acts. He is also the festival director and curator of the Kolkata International Drum Festival.
Satyajit Talwalkar: Talwalkar is a tabla player, son and disciple of tabla guru Pandit Suresh Talwalkar and vocalist Padma Talwalkar. He began studying at age four and gave his first public performance at nine. His collaborators have included Amjad Ali Khan, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shivkumar Sharma, Jasraj, Trilok Gurtu, Shiva Mani, Louis Banks, and Niladri Kumaar. His honors include the Sangeet Natak Akademi’s Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar and the Aditya Birla Kala Kiran Puraskar.
Run time: Not stated
Ages: Not stated
Accessibility: Not stated in the event information.