Rare Compositions of Benares by Pandit Sharda Sahai Pandit Sharda Sahai is an internationally renowned tabla maestro. As well as being famous for his classical skills he is known for his collaborations with Nana Vasconcelles, Andy Sheppard, Nexus etc. as well as his amazing public performances in WOMAD in the UK, EXPO in Sydney and the Winter Olympics in Canada.

Shardaji is one of the few artists who besides being a great performer is sought after for his teaching and has taught in Universities in the UK and the USA. He is the leader of the Benares style of tabla playing and fifth generation in line from its founder. This unique and rare recording is the third in a trilogy by this legendary maestro. This album incorporates compositions that have been handed down five generations and are rarely heard in public let alone put on a CD.

After the previous albums, The Art of Benares Baj and The Spirit of Benares, Shardaji felt the time was right for the 'conclusion' to the introduction to the Benares gharana. It is not a coincidence that Pt. Ramesh Mishra of Benares accompanies Shardaji on this recording as this is how the generations before them played together.

Audiorec Classical have put this special recording together and it will be launched on an ancient and sacred platform by the name of Manch Pravesh which will be played in the Purcell room on 5th April. This recording is one that tabla players will be listening to hundreds of times in order to learn to play these rare Benarasi compositions. To all other listeners, a most beautiful journey of Indian classical music to the shores of the Ganges.