14th Taalchakra Festival Opens with a Fusion of Indian Classical Music, Percussion and Kathak in Pune
Pune, 31st October 2026: The first day of the 14th edition of the Taalchakra Festival featured Fusion 2026, a musical presentation bringing together Indian classical music, contemporary fusion and Kathak at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, Swargate, Pune. Conceptualised by renowned tabla maestro Padma Shri Pandit Vijay Ghate, Taalchakra is the only festival in Pune dedicated exclusively to rhythm and percussion, celebrating the diversity of Indian rhythmic traditions.
Dignitaries including Pandit Vijay Ghate, founder of Taalchakra; Bharat Kulhalli, Director of Mascot Flowtech; and Pravin Badhekar – M.D Badhekar Group were present at the festival
The opening-day presentation featured Sheetal Kolwalkar on Kathak, Tanmay Deochake on harmonium, Sagar Patokar on Padhant, Nagesh Adgaonkar on vocals, Shikhar Naad Quireshi on djembe, Sangeet Haldipur on keyboards, Ravi Chary on sitar, Sheldon D’Silva on bass guitar, Gino Banks on drums and George Brooks on saxophone.
The programme began with three rachnas — Vam Sutra, based on an 11-matra rhythmic cycle; Yogi, based on Raag Jog; and Mayra, based on Raag Yaman. The musical programme included compositions by saxophonist George Brooks, including McCoy, The Outer Sea and Frame Master, the latter based on Raag Puriya Dhanashree. The presentation also featured the devotional Ram bhajan Ram Ka Gungan Kariye in Raag Ahir Bhairav. Sheetal Kolwalkar presented Thaat, Aamad and Tatkaar, set to Roopak taal. The segment also featured a jugalbandi, highlighting the rhythmic interplay between dance and music, following a Abhinav- Dhanyabhaag Seva Ka Avsar Paya, presented in Raag Bhairavi.
The festival was anchored by Milind Kulkarni
The second day of the 14th Taalchakra Festival will be held on Sunday, November 1, at Ganesh Kala Krida Manch, Swargate, beginning at 6 pm. Entry is free and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
