HARSHAD KANETKAR

A Young talented Tabla player from India, is well known across the globe for his accomplished career as a solo tabla performer and accompanist. At the age of three, Harshad began learning vocals from his grandfather Shrikrishna Kanetkar and mother Smt. Roopali Kanetkar. Later he began his initial training in Tabla at the age of five with Shri Pandurang Mukhade. For the past many years, he has had intensive training under Pandit.Ramdas Palsule and Taalyogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar.

Harshad is an exceptionally versatile player, being proficient as a solo performer and is one of the few Tabla players of his generation who has equally adept and versatile in the art of accompanying vocals, instrumental and dance. He is been appreciated by renowned legend musicians for the crispness and clarity of his technique and a total command of rhythm which are the classic hallmarks of his style.

He has performed along with many leading artists like Pt.Jasraj, Pt.Birju Mahara, Ustad Shahid Parvez, Ustad Rashid Khan, Pt.Sanjeev Abhyankar, Pt.Ronu Majumdar, Pt.Ulhas Kashalkar, Veena Sahastrabuddhe, Shama Bhate, Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande, Arati Ankalikar, Devaki Pandit, Shounak Abhisheki, Rajendra Gangani as well as Dr.Balmurlikrishnan, Sudha Raghunathan, U.Rajesh, Rajesh Vaidya, Mysore Manjunath etc. from Carnatic style in prestigious music conferences all over India as well as abroad.

He has performed in many prestigious music festivals such as Sawai Gandharv Mahotsav, Harivallabh Sangeet Samaroh, Shankarlal Festival, Doverlane Music conference in India.

Harshad has worked with Hindustani and Carnatic classical styles as well as in western music world and travelled in 17 countries around the globe for the music concerts. He had also worked as music arranger to many music albums and short films. His albums featuring his solo work and performances with many musicians.

Harshad has received many accolades and honors including the National Award of Scholarship from the Government of India. He was a visiting faculty of music department at the Pune University and also worked as a percussion director at Pandit Jasraj School of music in Atlanta for 4 years.

Currently he is on the panel of Judges at “Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya” which is the largest organization of Indian classical music all over the world who conducts the exams in many countries.

Recently in June 2023, Harshad got selected and invited to join as a voting member by the Recording Academy, famous for "Grammy Awards" on the jury panel. Voting members determine GRAMMY winners every year.

Tabla Guide is written by Harshad Kanetkar for the benefit of the Tabla students who appear for the Tabla exam. This book is useful for beginners to advance level Tabla students.