TORONTO TABLA ENSEMBLE

Toronto Tabla Ensemble (TTE) is a unique and multifaceted arts organization dedicated to promoting the North Indian classical art of tabla. The organization is led by founder and artistic director Ritesh Das, who oversees the organization’s artistic vision, educational curriculum, and production activity. TTE is supported by self-generated income from classes, public support through grants, as well as private and corporate funding. The organization’s aim is to share the depth and excitement of Indian classical music, culture, and history and make it accessible to all people.

The Performing Ensemble

Since 1991, Toronto Tabla Ensemble has mesmerized audiences using the rhythms and grooves of North India to collaborate with music and dance from around the world. Known for its modern, high-energy approach, TTE’s repertoire has brought audiences to the edge of their seats by showcasing the complexity of pure traditional tabla augmented by South Indian percussion, Japanese taiko, and kathak dance to create a high energy stage presence. 

TTE’s signature has always been collaboration. Their past works have brought tabla together with Flamenco, Jazz, Rock n Roll, Afro-Caribbean drumming, and several other genres. This level of musical exchange has allowed TTE members and audiences to learn about other cultures and brings together broad communities of people. The scope of this exchange is easy to see at TTE concerts and on each of the albums.

The Ensemble has released six original studio albums and continues to work on releasing more. Their music has been recognized in Canada and abroad. They were nominated for a JUNO Award for their album Firedance and their compositions have been licensed for commercials, films, and as the theme music for CBC Radio’s daily Metro Morning. Their recent album Bhumika landed artistic director Ritesh Das a Global Music Award for Outstanding Achievement in composition and the Ensemble the Independent Music Award for Best World Traditional Song. 

As TTE continues on its performance and recording journey it will continue to benefit from government and foundation grants as well as the generosity of private and corporate donors intent on increasing the Ensemble’s footprint of quality artistic creation and cultural exchange.

Toronto Tabla Youth Ensemble

Recently debuted in 2017, Toronto Tabla Youth Ensemble (TTYE) was established with the aim of becoming one of the elite pre-professional training and performance groups for youth percussionists aged 8-16. TTYE uses tabla and percussion instruments from around the world to create an electrifying contemporary listening experience. Apprentices and members are hand selected from the TTE school and attend weekly training and rehearsal sessions led by artistic director Ritesh Das and senior Ensemble members. The trainees have the opportunity to participate in retreats and workshops with musicians and dancers of other genres taking part in a collaborative creation process. 

TTYE has gained a following in the community through performances at local festivals, fundraisers, and private events. They will feature in two self-presented concerts per year where they will lead the performance for an entire evening. TTYE has featured in films produced by Melissa Das-Arp and Taal Productions, including Dream Symposium. They are currently preparing for their first studio recording and will release an EP in the coming year.

In addition to the music technique and theory required to perform, trainees will gain valuable exposure to production and administration. By participating in self-presented concerts, audio recording, and film production, each member will have the opportunity to learn about a skill they are interested in. Some members have already been trained in stage setup, live sound, front of house, and MCing. Thus, the goal of TTYE is to give its members the holistic training required to be a professional musician. 

 

The Tabla School

Toronto Tabla Ensemble would never have been established if it weren’t for artistic director Ritesh Das’ commitment to training tabla students in the city. Das has been teaching students from beginner to professional levels since 1987 and now oversees a fully fledged school that provides students with a multifaceted education. Learners at TTE’s three branches across the Greater Toronto Area develop in both the music technique and theory of tabla along with an understanding of the extensive culture and history that underpins it. The Ensemble’s school provides high end training for driven students, who range from all ages and backgrounds including career musicians and working professionals.

In the last five years over 200 kids aged 16 or younger have studied tabla at one of TTE’s locations in Toronto, Scarborough, or Mississauga. The most dedicated youth students are selected to perform in high profile settings with its youth ensembles and can eventually be promoted to its senior ensemble. Students also have the opportunity to learn about arts administration and production thus developing the tools to pursue music professionally if they wish. The tabla school actively forms the basis of the performing ensemble as it is the advanced students who go on to perform in concerts and recordings.

The TTE school depends on the tuition fees it generates to operate and is actively seeking private and corporate partners in the community to allow for continued classroom and facility rental and salary support for more teachers. Further support would also allow teachers to present workshops on Indian music and rhythm geared towards a broader range of musicians and university students. Future workshops will also include other percussive traditions including Japanese Taiko, Western Classical, and African drumming which will allow students to develop a broader musical and cultural understanding.

Film

TTE has recently established its scope to producing short films that depict the music and dance tradition in a contemporary manner. Led by Melissa Das-Arp, this new approach is helping further the organization’s mission to bring the art form to new audiences. With the release of the album Bhumika in 2018, came the video Faceoff which has brought significant attention to the Ensemble’s work. The video received a nomination for an Independent Music Award in New York and has been screened and featured at short film festivals across the world including in India, Europe, and North America. Most recently released is the video for the Ensemble’s latest single Dream Symposium which features the Toronto Tabla Youth Ensemble in action along with dance choreography by director Labonee Mohanta. With more projects in the works, including music videos, documentaries, TTE will look to use this medium to reach new audiences.