Naveen Sharma

Pt. Navin Sharma was born on 5 November 1975 in Kalyan and grew up in an environment that encouraged both education and artistic exploration. His early schooling was completed in Kalyan, during which his interest in music became evident. By the age of twelve, he had already begun performing publicly, marking an unusually early entry into the professional music world. One of his formative experiences as a young artist was performing with the legendary composer R. D. Burman on a private album, an opportunity that left a lasting impression on his artistic outlook.

Navin Sharma’s primary training began under his first guru and father, Shri Shyam R. Sharma, from whom he learned the foundations of dholak and rhythmic discipline. While deeply connected to folk percussion traditions, he aspired to gain formal grounding in classical rhythm, leading him to study tabla under the iconic Ustad Alla Rakha Khan. This training significantly expanded his rhythmic vocabulary and refined his approach to structure, improvisation, and performance aesthetics.

From 2007 onwards, Navin Sharma has regularly performed alongside Zakir Hussain as part of major percussion-based concerts and collaborative projects. These performances represent a meaningful continuation of his guru–shishya lineage and have played an important role in shaping the mature phase of his career. Over time, he has developed a personal style that respects classical tradition while allowing space for creativity and contemporary expression.

Known for his ability to present soothing melodic passages as well as energetic folk and classical rhythms, Navin Sharma continues to engage audiences across diverse musical settings. His career reflects a sustained commitment to rhythm, lineage, and innovation, built over decades of dedicated performance.