Pandit Sharda Sahai comes from a long and respected lineage of legendary tabla players. Sharda Sahai was born in Benares, India in 1935. As the direct descendant of Pandit Ram Sahai, the founder of the Benares Baj, Sharda Sahai is the gharanedhar (head) of the Benares gharana (school) of tabla playing. Sharda Sahai's performance explores the technical and expressive possibilities of the tabla to its fullest.

Since his performances are largely improvised, the pieces that he has chosen to play are a reflection of a particular mood on a particular day, representing only a small part of his expansive repertoire. He plays three items each in a different tal. The performances in Teental and Rupak tal follow the most common solo performance sequence said to have been laid down by Pt. Ram Sahai. In each section Sharda-jee explores a particular form providing more than one example in most instances. These forms are played in different speeds relative to the tal (time cycle) which starts with the tal Vilambit in laya, slowly increasing the tempo with the solo ending in Madhya laya. Each piece is separated by a short interlude of kisme in which he decorates the theka - the fixed pattern of bols that are used to mark a tal. The final item is in drut (fast) Ektal.