Mahavir Chandrawat

Mahavir Chandrawat is an Indian percussionist known for his work on the tabla and dholak, performing across Hindustani classical music, theater productions, and contemporary fusion projects. Based in New Delhi, he has developed a diverse performance career that combines traditional training with collaborations in modern musical contexts.

Mahavir Chandrawat began his training in tabla at the age of five under Pandit Ravinder Soni. He later continued his studies with Pandit Mukund Bhale and further refined his understanding of rhythm and repertoire under Padma Shri Pandit Suresh Talwalkar, one of the leading tabla exponents of the modern era. Alongside tabla, he expanded his percussion skills by studying dholak and multi-percussion techniques with the percussion duo Ravi Rakesh.

Over the years, he has performed extensively across India and internationally, appearing in concerts, theater productions, and collaborative music projects. His performances have been broadcast on All India Radio (A.I.R.) and Doordarshan, reflecting his presence within both classical and popular performance circuits. He was also associated with the internationally acclaimed stage production “Monsoon Wedding,” directed by filmmaker Mira Nair with music composed by Vishal Bhardwaj.

Mahavir Chandrawat is also active in collaborative and fusion music formats. He is a core member of the ensemble Tāl Fry, a band that explores contemporary interpretations of Indian rhythmic traditions. In addition to ensemble work, he has collaborated with several instrumentalists and musicians, including sitar player Soumitra Thakur, sarod player Rohan Prasanna, and flautist Rajat Prasanna, performing at venues such as the Shri Ram Centre and the India International Centre in New Delhi. He has also appeared in performances with the Anirudh Varma Collective, including concerts at the NCPA in Mumbai.

Apart from his performance career, Mahavir Chandrawat is engaged in music education and currently serves as a tabla teacher at Darbari Lal DAV Model School in Delhi, where he trains students in percussion and rhythm. His recorded works and performances are also available on digital platforms, including Apple Music, TIDAL, and YouTube, contributing to a wider digital presence.