A Hindustani Instrumental Concert featuring Yogesh Samsi

Date: Saturday, Sep 27, 2025 @ 5 PM EST

Venue: India Cultural & Spiritual Center

Tabla: Yogesh Samsi

Pandit Yogesh Samsi stands as one of India's most distinguished tabla maestros, recognized worldwide as a leading exponent of the Punjab Gharana. Born into a family of renowned musicians, Yogesh has dedicated his life to preserving and advancing the rich traditions of tabla while embracing contemporary musical collaborations. His artistry encompasses both masterful solo performances and exceptional accompaniment skills, making him one of the most sought-after tabla players in the classical music world today.

Musical Heritage and Early Training

Yogesh Samsi was born on November 17, 1968, in New Delhi to the renowned Hindustani classical vocalist Pandit Dinkar Kaikini and accomplished singer Shashikala Kaikini. His mother served as the Principal of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan's Music School in Mumbai, establishing a strong musical foundation for the family.

Yogeshji was initiated into the world of tabla by his father at the tender age of four, demonstrating an early affinity for rhythm and percussion. His initial training was under Pandit H. Taranath Rao, a guru renowned for his knowledge of rare and ancient talas, providing Yogesh with a deep understanding of traditional rhythmic patterns.

Training Under Ustad Allah Rakha

At the age of ten, Yogesh ji's musical journey took a definitive turn when he was accepted as a disciple by the legendary Ustad Allah Rakha Khan, one of the greatest percussionists of the 20th century and father of renowned tabla virtuoso Zakir Hussain. This began an intensive 23-year period of training that would shape Yogesh into the master musician he is today.

Under the gifted tutelage of Ustad Allah Rakha, Yogesh received rigorous training in the Punjab Gharana tradition. His style developed to feature an unmatched combination of power, sensitivity, deep knowledge of tradition, tonal clarity, and aesthetic refinement. This extensive training period allowed him to absorb not just the technical aspects of tabla playing, but also the philosophical and spiritual dimensions of the art form.

Professional Career and Collaborations

Renowned Accompanist

Yogesh has had the privilege of accompanying the top echelon of India's classical musicians, including:

• Ustad Vilayat Khan
• Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
• Pandit Shivkumar Sharma
• Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia
• Ustad Amjad Ali Khan
• Pandit Dinkar Kaikini (his father)
• Pandit Birju Maharaj
• Ajoy Chakrabarty
• Ustad Rashid Khan
• Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar

Special Collaborations

Yogesh has had the unique honor of accompanying both his guru Ustad Allah Rakha and the great maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain in their solo performances. He has also performed duets with Ustad Zakir Hussain, representing one of the highest achievements in the tabla world.

Awards and Recognition

Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2017)

Yogesh received the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Tabla in 2017, the highest national recognition given to practicing artists, gurus, and scholars in India. This prestigious award acknowledges his exceptional contribution to Hindustani classical music.

Other Honors

In 2020, Yogesh received the 'Gaanasaraswati Kishori Amonkar Sangatkar Puraskar' for his outstanding contribution to tabla.

Educational Leadership and Teaching

Vishwashanti Sangeet Kala Academy

In 2017, Yogesh was appointed as a Guru at India's premier classical music institution, the Vishwashanti Sangeet Kala Academy (run by the M.I.T group of Institutes in Pune). He serves alongside other distinguished gurus including:

• Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar
• Pandit Suresh Talwalkar
• Smt. N. Rajam
• Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia

This residential gurukul aims to develop professional musicians for the future, and Yogesh spends a week each month providing intensive training to talented tabla players.

International Teaching

Yogesh maintains an active teaching schedule globally:

• Regular visits to the UK (typically April and September) for concerts and workshops
• Member of Saaz Music, an independent Indian Classical Music organization in the United Kingdom
• Chief advisor for educational activities and promotion of Indian Classical music for Darbar Arts Culture Heritage Trust, London
• Member of the advisory board for the music department at Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU)

Yogesh Samsi Masterclass

Yogesh conducts specialized masterclasses for advanced tabla students worldwide, both online and offline. These intensive workshops focus on specific aspects of tabla solo repertoire and provide students with in-depth insights into the Punjab Gharana tradition.

Recording Career and Notable Performances

Festival Appearances

Yogesh has been a regular performer at prestigious festivals including:

• Bengal Classical Music Festival, Bangladesh
• Harballabh Sangeet Sammelan (2002-2012)
• Darbar Festival, UK (2006-2012)
• Tansen Sangeet Samaroh, Gwalior (2005)
• International Festival of Music, Kuwait (2010)
• Concert for the World Bank, Washington, DC (2007)

Television and Media

Yogesh appeared in the first episode of "Idea Jalsa" with Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, showcasing his artistry to a broader television audience.

Family and Personal Life

Yogesh is married to Kavita Samsi and has two sons:

• Shravan Samsi: A drummer and music producer who has inherited the family's musical legacy
• Avneesh Samsi: Also musically inclined

His sister, Aditi Kaikini Upadhya, is an accomplished Indian classical singer and teacher, continuing the family tradition in vocal music.

Musical Philosophy and Legacy

Yogesh strives to uphold his revered guru's mission of preserving tradition in tabla solo presentation while adapting to contemporary musical contexts. His approach balances historical authenticity with innovative expression, ensuring the Punjab Gharana tradition remains vibrant and relevant for future generations.

He has been instrumental in reviving rare compositions from the Punjab tradition and works of Pandit Sushil Kumar Jain, many of which were lost during the Indo-Pakistani Partition. His efforts to document and teach these compositions ensure their preservation for posterity.