Advait Shah
Raised in the US, Advait has been playing tabla since the age of eight. Largely a self taught musician, Advait has developed much of his musical knowledge and skill through listening to recordings and attending concerts. He received a basic training at the Faculty of Performing Arts of the Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda during a trip to India in 1986. Upon his return to the USA, he began accompanying musicians in all genres of Indian music including Hindustani classical, ghazals, qawalis, film and devotional music.
He later received advanced training from Ustad Tari Khan in Chicago, IL., and has had the opportunity to attend workshops taught by the great Ustad Zakir Hussain. As an accompanist, he has shared the stage with Nisar Bazmi, Ustad Nafiz Ali Khan, Deepak Ram, Arun Ramamurthy and Pandit Subroto Roy Choudury, among others.
Through his training and self study, Advait has developed a unique style which creatively blends a mix of East and West. Avi, as he is known in the music community, joined the NY based fusion band Karavika as the original percussionist, and he also plays with fusion alternative rock/Indian group Banyan Trees. Advait’s musical interests also extend to singing ghazals and Hindi film songs as well as playing the dhol, and other percussion instruments. Upon moving to the mid Atlantic region, Avi has performed in the dance and music ensemble Nootana, and later teaming up with violinist Nistha Raj, founded District of Raga in 2018.