A Hindustani Instrumental Concert featuring Shri S. Akash

Date: Saturday, Sep 6, 2025 @ 5 PM EST

Venue: India Cultural & Spiritual Center

Flute: Shri. S Akash

Tabla: Shri Vivek Pandya

Shri. S. Akash

Marthammanahalli Satish Kumar Akash, professionally known as S Akash, is a distinguished Hindustani Classical flautist who has captivated audiences worldwide with his exceptional musical prowess. Born into a Sankethi family in Karnataka to Sri M.N. Satish Kumar and Smt. Vani Satish, Akash demonstrated an extraordinary affinity for music from an exceptionally young age.

Early Musical Journey

Akash's musical journey began remarkably early, showing interest in music at just three and a half years old. Coming from a family of musicians and music lovers, his talent was nurtured from the very beginning. At the age of four, he was placed under the tutelage of Pandit Venkatesh Godhkindi, a renowned flautist. Despite his young age and inability to read musical notations, Akash demonstrated an extraordinary ability to memorize and grasp complex musical intricacies through pure auditory learning.

Akash began his solo performances in 2005 at the remarkable age of eight, establishing himself as a child prodigy in the classical music world. His natural talent and dedication quickly earned him recognition as one of India's most promising young musicians.

Musical Training and Gurus

Akash's musical education spans over two decades with some of India's most respected flute maestros:

• Pandit Venkatesh Godhkindi (age 4-24): Initial foundation and classical training
• Pandit Jayteerth Mevundi (20+ years): Advanced training in Gayaki Ang (vocal style adapted to flute)
• Pandit Ronu Majumdar: Continued guidance in Hindustani classical tradition
• Padmashree Pandit Suresh Talwalkar (current): Current mentor for advanced techniques

Currently, he further hones his skills under Padmashree Pandit Suresh Talwalkar, continuing his lifelong commitment to musical excellence.

Awards and Recognition

Akash's exceptional talent has been recognized through numerous prestigious awards:

• Child Prodigy Award (age 7) - Governor of Karnataka
• Pogo Amazing Kids Award (2008, age 10) - Musician category, presented by filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar
• Exceptional Talent Award - Governor of Karnataka, His Excellency Bharadwaj
• Rising Star Award - Idea Jalsa National Talent Hunt (2009)
• Shanmukha Sangeetha Shiromani Award (2011) - Mumbai (youngest recipient)
• Bharat Ratna Dr. M.S. Subbulakshmi Fellowship (2014, 2015, 2016) - Sri Shanmukha Nanda Sabha, Mumbai
• Sur Jyostna National Award (2016) - Nagpur, presented by Maharashtra Chief Minister Sri Devendra Fadnavis

Notable Performances

Akash's key performances include events at prestigious venues such as Sankat Mochan Sangeet Samaroh in Varanasi, Pandit Motiram and Pandit Maniram Festival in Hyderabad, Gunidas Sangeet Sammelan at Nehru Centre in Mumbai, NCPA Mumbai, Pune Festival, Maha Kumbh Music Festival in Ujjain, Dasara Music Festival in Mysore, and many more prestigious venues worldwide, including concerts in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland.

Contemporary Innovation

Balancing classical training with contemporary influences, Akash founded "Symphony Enroute," a band that seamlessly blends Western symphonies and orchestral compositions with Bollywood and Indian Classical Music. This innovative approach demonstrates his versatility and commitment to making classical music accessible to broader audiences.

Education

Akash holds a bachelor's degree in Performing Arts from K.K Wagh College, Mumbai, India, combining formal academic training with his traditional guru-shishya musical education.

Musical Philosophy and Inspirations

Akash draws inspiration from legendary musicians including Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, his guru Ronu Majumdar, Pandit Jasraj, and many other senior musicians. His dedication to the flute remains unwavering, as he has expressed that music will remain his lifelong passion.

Vivek Pandya

Vivek Pandya is a world-class tabla player who has captured international attention as both a musical prodigy and a dedicated student pursuing higher education in biomedical engineering. Born into a musical family, Vivek has successfully balanced his passion for Indian classical music with academic excellence, representing a new generation of artist-scholars.

Musical Heritage and Early Development

Vivek belongs to a family deeply rooted in musical tradition. His father, Kalpit Pandya, and his uncle, Viral Pandya, both learned Indian Classical Music and practiced regularly at home. This early exposure to music created a natural environment for Vivek's musical development.

Vivek showed a natural inclination toward the tabla at the remarkably young age of three years. His uncle, Viral Pandya, initially guided him, setting his hands on the tabla and nurturing his early interest. As his talent became evident, at age five, Vivek was accepted as a disciple of the world-renowned maestro Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, beginning a musical journey that continues to this day.

Training Under Pandit Anindo Chatterjee

Vivek began formal training at the age of 5 with Pandit Anindo Chatterjee, a renowned tabla maestro who has played at venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Royal Albert Hall, and more. This prestigious lineage has provided Vivek with world-class training in the traditional guru-shishya system.

Under Pandit Chatterjee's guidance, Vivek has developed exceptional technical skills. His technique of playing tabla produces crystal clear sounds even at incredibly high speed. Alongside speed and clarity, Vivek has mastered the technique of being an excellent accompanist and compliments any instrumentalist he plays with.

Professional Career and Achievements

Vivek made his national debut performance for NYC Radio Live at Columbia University at the age of 9, marking the beginning of his professional career. Since then, he has accompanied renowned young artists and respected legendary musicians all around the globe.

Competition Success

Vivek was the 1st place winner of the Swaradhara competition held on 23rd February 2013, demonstrating his exceptional skill level at a young age.

International Performances

Vivek has performed at several music festivals across India, including Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, Bangalore, and Solapur. He has also performed extensively across the USA in New York, New Jersey, Phoenix, Texas, Delaware, and more. He has toured and performed all over India, the U.S., and Canada.

Media Recognition

Vivek has been featured in numerous Indian magazines and also in the Times of India, establishing his reputation in both Indian and international media.

Recording Projects and Collaborations

In recent years, he's been part of several musical projects and productions, including playing on cellist Inbal Segev's album 20 for 2020 and on Chidaksha, an Indian classical album. His favorite project is featured on YouTube, where he and fellow tabla artist Rupak Bhattacharjee, who also studies under Chatterjee, play a "Unique Tabla Duet" showcasing the repertoire of the tabla. This project was conceived and mastered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His multiple albums on Spotify include Grammy nominated 20 for 20, Mishar Pilu, Strive and Tabla Tuesdays.

Teaching and Cultural Ambassador

With a passion for spreading the legacy and culture of Indian classical music, Pandya has previously been invited to conduct an extramural lecture series at MSU university in Baroda and currently teaches a selection of young musicians.

Musical Philosophy and Artistry

The tabla is a melodic percussion instrument belonging to the Indian classical genre. It has the most dynamic frequency range of any percussion instrument and is made up of a bass drum and a treble drum. While traditionally an accompanying instrument, tabla solos have become super popular nowadays and take audiences on a journey.

Vivek has been regarded as a tabla prodigy who can carry the legacy of the maestros to date, representing the continuation of classical tradition while embracing contemporary musical expressions.

Future Aspirations

Pandya's ultimate dream is to make tabla an international household name and become a full-time musician. "However, I do realize how important an education is and how helpful it can be to fall back on. Hopefully, I can live up to this dream!"

His journey from a child prodigy to a world-class performer and dedicated student represents a unique model for young classical musicians seeking to honor their artistic heritage while pursuing diverse educational and career paths.