Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri

Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri is a leading Tabla artist of the Lucknow gharana. Born in Kolkata in 1945, his foundational training came from the eminent Guru Pandit Santosh Krishna Biswas. His training and creative thinking helped him develop a unique style of tabla. He combines the traditional sound of the Lucknow gharana with fresh and expressive rhythmic ideas that connect well with audiences. 

He has shared the stage with legendary artists such as Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Pandit Jasraj and Dr. V.G. Jog and his performances have reached global audiences from different parts of the world like Europe, America and Asia. Two of these projects—Legacy and Passing on the Tradition—earned Grammy nominations, highlighting his impact beyond the classical stages.

He has trained students from across the world as director of percussion at the Ali Akbar College of Music in California and Switzerland, and through his long association with the California Institute of the Arts, he has also been honored with the Padma Shri, the Sangeet Natak Akademi, the American Academy of Artist Award, and multiple recognitions in North America. Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri continues to remain active in performance, mentorship and innovation.