A Life in Tabla
Gurdain Rayatt is a tabla player, performer and teacher based in London. He performs internationally as a soloist, accompanist and collaborator across Indian classical, devotional and cross-cultural music.
Gurus, Lineage & Musical Journey
Gurdain started his journey at the age of 3 under the guidance of his father Ustad Harkirat Rayatt and grandfather Bhai Gurmit Singh Virdee (Punjab and Benares gharana traditions). Growing up in a household of musicians and music lovers, Gurdain was enthralled by his father’s and his grandfather’s dedication and passion for performing and teaching within the community. His grandfather promoted Tabla Solo concerts through his organisation TAAL and his father also promoted and continues to promote Tabla Solos, Indian Classical Concerts, Ensemble Performances, Workshops and Summer Tabla Retreats through his organisation CHAKARDAR.
At the age of 16. Gurdain became a disciple of the tabla legend Guru Acharya Pandit Shankar Ghosh (Farukhabad Gharana) with guidance and support from his son Bickram Ghosh, leading to extensive advanced development and training in India, with further travels to France, Germany and UK with his guru.
He is now a disciple of Pandit Yogesh Samsi, taking continuous taleem to further his knowledge, understanding and development of performance aesthetics, expression and accompaniment to even greater heights with his guru’s blessings.
Gurdain has been fortunate to learn from some of the other great tabla players through workshops and individual taleem sessions including Ustad Zakir Hussain, Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri, Pandit Suresh Talwalkar, Pandit Kumar Bose.
Indian Classical Performance
Gurdain performs regularly as a tabla soloist and accompanist, working with leading vocalists, instrumentalists and dancers in Hindustani classical music.
He has been fortunate to have performed with some of the most respected maestros including Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Shahid Parvez, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Pandit Kushal Das, Pandit Debashish Bhattacharya, Anoushka Shankar, Niladri Kumar, Kala Ramnath, Purbayan Chatterjee to name a few.
In the UK, he has performed alongside all the major performers on the scene including Roopa Panesar, Jesse Bannister, Jasdeep Degun, Kaviraj Dhadyalla, Giuliano Modarelli and more.
He also performs regularly with kathak dancers from Pagrav Dance Company, recently involved in projects including ‘Kattam Katti’ (expressing the kite-flying festival in India) and ‘Aunusthan’, a classical kathak presentation.
Cross Cultural Work & Collaborations
Alongside his Indian classical work, Gurdain performs with artists and ensembles working across world music, blues, Brazilian music, folk, electronica, western classical orchestration and contemporary composition. Notable collaborations include:
– “Kefaya” and Elaha Soroor
– “Michael Messer’s Mitra” with Michael Messer and Manish Pingle
– “Attuned” featuring Cuban violinist Omar Puente
– “Seven Eyes” with Brazilian guitarist Paolo Vinicius and singer Tanya Wells
– Bassist “Shez Raja” in his funk band featuring saxophonist Tony Kofi
He has recorded on a number of music releases and albums including:
– “Call of the Blues” by Michael Messer’s Mitra
– “Ether” with sitarist Anupama Bhagwat
– “Beyond Rhythmscape” by Bickram Ghosh
– “Groove Maker” as a tabla solo release
– “Songs of our Mothers” by Kefaya and Elaha Soroor
Selected Festivals, Venues & Projects
Performances across the UK, Europe and Internationally.
Festivals & Concert Halls
Darbar Festival, WOMAD Festival, Southbank Centre, Kings Place, Rich Mix, BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, The Barbican, Harivallabh Festival (India), Saptak Festival (India), Sangeet Piyasi (India), Glasshouse Gateshead (The Sage), Leeds International Music Festival, Trinity Laban Conservatoire, Wigmore Hall, York University Music Department, Leeds Opera North, Førde Festival (Norway), Tower of London, Songlines Encounters Festival, Latitude Festival, House of Commons and Westminster Abbey, Brighton Dome, NEC Arena (Birmingham), V&A Museum.
Orchestral & Contemporary Work
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia, Royal Welsh National Opera, BBC National Orchestra, Fantasia Orchestra, Tampere Philharmonic Orchestra (Finland), BBC Symphony Orchestra, OModernt Orchestra, St Gallen Symphony Orchestra (Switzerland), Clod Ensemble
Recording & Media
Abbey Road Studios, BBC Radio 3 – InTune, BBC Radio 1, studo recordings, broadcasts and independent releases.
He has been honoured to perform for HRH Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales (now King!)
“A tabla player of sparkling qualities… filled with exuberance, virtuosity and rich content.”
Darbar