Sandeep Das

Sandeep Das was born in Patna, Bihar, India.{{cite web | title=Grammy winner Sandeep Das has a Patna connect | website=Hindustan Times| date=15 February 2017 | url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/grammy-winner-sandeep-das-has-a-patna-connect/story-qh86GmjieO373oW54eVrNN.html | accessdate=19 February 2017}} His family was originally from Chandannagar, West Bengal, relocating to Patna in the 1970s.{{cite web|title=Rhythm of tabla born in Bihar|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170214/jsp/frontpage/story_135635.jsp#.WKbLEvLF8fB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214212409/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170214/jsp/frontpage/story_135635.jsp#.WKbLEvLF8fB|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 February 2017}} Sandeep completed his schooling from St. Xavier's High School, Patna (1975–1985). He graduated in English Literature with gold medal from Banaras Hindu University. He first began learning Tabla under Pt. Shiv Kumar Singh at the age of 8.{{cite news|title=Tabla Wizard|newspaper=The Statesman|date=17 October 2005}}

Sandeep started learning from Kishan Maharaj, under the Indian Guru-shishya tradition, at the age of 9.{{cite web|title=The Banaras Gharana Speaks: Family and Disciples Pay Tribute to a Legend|url=http://www.kavitachhibber.com/main/main.jsp?id=tribute_kmaharaj_pt3|author=Kavita Chhibber|work=kavitachhibber.com|accessdate=10 December 2012}} Sandeep would travel on weekends from his home in Patna, to Benaras, where his Guru lived. Later, his family shifted to Benares so that his musical education could continue unhindered.

After 11 years of learning the Benaras Gharana style of Tabla playing, Das moved to Delhi in 1990, to pursue his career as a professional Tabla player.{{cite news|title=Tabla is life for Sandeep Das|url=http://previous.jagrancityplus.com/storydetail.aspx?cityid=19&articleid=23321&catgid=21|accessdate=10 December 2012|newspaper=Dainik Jagran}}

File:Debut Concert, Sandeep Das.jpg and Kishanji Maharaj]]

In 1986, Sandeep made his stage debut in India (at the age of 15), with Sitar maestro Ravi Shankar.{{cite news|author=Arghya Ganguly|url=http://www.timescrest.com/culture/my-pr-is-zero-in-india-4402|title=My PR is zero in India|date=25 December 2010|newspaper=The Times of India|accessdate=31 December 2012}} He was three times the national drumming champion. He was also, at the time, the youngest drummer to be graded by Akashvani (radio broadcaster) (All India Radio).{{cite web|url=http://neerajbhushan.com/2011/03/27/team-sandeep-das/|title=Greater Voice|date=27 March 2011|publisher=Neeraj Bhushan|accessdate=10 December 2012}} Das moved to Delhi in 1990 to pursue his career as a professional Tabla player, and began playing with prominent musicians such as Shubha Mudgal, Amjad Ali Khan, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Shivkumar Sharma, and Shujaat Khan among others.

In 1991, Das debuted outside India, with steel drum bands in Trinidad. In 2001, he performed with the New York Philharmonic, under the direction of Kurt Masur for a work composed by Kayhan Kalhor.{{cite web|title=Music & Artists|url=http://www.silkroadproject.org/MusicArtists/SilkRoadEnsemble/PerformersComposersTabbed/SandeepDas/tabid/241/Default.aspx|work=Sandeep Das|publisher=Silk Road project|accessdate=31 December 2012}} In April 2012, he premiered a work written for him by eminent composer Evan Ziporyn, as a soloist with the Boston Modern Orchestra Project.{{cite news|title=Keeping Score|url=http://www.timeoutmumbai.net/mumbai-local/featuresfeatures/keeping-score|accessdate=11 December 2012|newspaper=TimeOut, Mumbai|date=27 April 2012}}{{cite web|title=Evan Ziporyn's "Big Grenadilla / Mumbai"|url=http://www.icareifyoulisten.com/2012/07/evan-ziporyn-big-grenadilla-mumbai/|work=I Care If You Listen|date=6 July 2012}} His composition Tarang is the theme music for Blind Sight,{{cite web|title=Blind Sight|url=http://www.blindsightthemovie.com/downloads/blindsight_prod_notes.pdf|work=Blind Sight, The Movie}} a documentary about the first Mount Everest climb by six blind climbers.

He has been nominated for the Grammy Awards twice. In 2003, his recording The Rain was nominated for a Grammy in the World Music category.{{cite news|title=Tabla beats: Out to get the Grammy|newspaper=HT West Delhi Live|date=13 December 2003|author=Punya Prava Rath}}{{cite news|title=Percussion Magic|newspaper=Sahara Time|date=30 December 2003|author=Deepak Parvatiyar}}{{cite news|title=Shujaat Khan & Sandeep Das nominated for Grammies|newspaper=Bombay Times|date=24 December 2003|author=Viral Bhayani|agency=Times News Network}} In this album, Sandeep Das collaborated with Shujaat Khan and Kayhan Kalhor. In 2009, a recording with Silk Road Ensemble got him a nomination for the Grammy in the Classical Crossover section for the album Off the Map. His track Sulvasutra, composed by Evan Ziporyn,{{cite web|title=Magnificent Silk Road|url=http://worldmusiccentral.org/2009/12/10/magnificent-silk-road/|work=CD Reviews|date=10 December 2009 |publisher=World Music Central|accessdate=18 December 2012}} features in this album.{{cite news|title=Roll of Honour|newspaper=Express Newsline|date=13 December 2010|author=Suanshu Khurana}}{{cite news|title=Grammy nomination for Indian|newspaper=Bombay Times|date=9 December 2010|author=Biswadeep Ghosh|agency=Times News Network}}

Sandeep has composed for and performed internationally with the Silk Road Ensemble of Yo-Yo Ma since the group's founding in 2000.{{cite web|title=Silk Road Ensemble, Artists, Sandeep Das|url=http://www.silkroadproject.org/ensemble/artists/sandeep-das|work=Silk Road Project}}{{cite news|title=Tabla Taals Sprakle Westward|newspaper=The Pioneer|date=30 November 2001}} When he started playing with the Silk Road, Yo-Yo Ma was surprised to learn that, Das did not read music scores, but could memorize a piece.{{cite news|title=Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Project aims to pull cultures together|date=15 April 2006|author=Chelsea Phua|agency=Assosciated press}}

With the ensemble, he has performed extensively, including, the United Nations General Assembly Hall in New York in 2008, BBC Proms in 2004 and 2009, and the Opening Ceremony of the Special Olympic Games in Shanghai.{{cite news|title=Patna to NYC|newspaper=HT Dwarka Connect|date=28 October 2010}} His composition Mohini, is the theme music for a 10-episode documentary on the Silk Road, produced by Japanese TV channel NHK.{{cite web|title=Cellist Yo-Yo Ma & The Silk Road Ensemble Continue Their Exploration of the Links Between Eastern & Western Music|url=http://worldmusiccentral.org/2005/05/25/cellist-yo-yo-ma-the-silk-road-ensemble-continue-their-exploration-of-the-links-between-eastern-western-music/|work=World Music Central.org|date=25 May 2005 |accessdate=11 December 2012}}

Also a cultural and educational entrepreneur, Sandeep founded HUM (Harmony and Universality through Music) in 2009, an ensemble of world-class artists, to promote global understanding through musical performance and education. The ensemble was inspired by the Silk Road Project and Yo-Yo Ma's vision to connect the world through music.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sandeepdas.com/humensemble|title=HUM Ensemble|website=Sandeep Das|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}} In March 2010, HUM presented its World Premiere Concert at Kamani Auditorium, New Delhi and Birla Sabhaghar, Kolkatta.{{cite news|title=Sandeep Das and The Hum Ensemble|url=http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToPrint_TOINEW&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=TOIKM/2010/03/11&ID=Pc00417|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304114731/http://epaper.timesofindia.com/Repository/getFiles.asp?Style=OliveXLib:LowLevelEntityToPrint_TOINEW&Type=text/html&Locale=english-skin-custom&Path=TOIKM/2010/03/11&ID=Pc00417|url-status=dead|archive-date=4 March 2016|accessdate=11 December 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=11 March 2010}} In February 2011, the HUM Ensemble performed its Rhythm of Life Concert at Siri Fort Auditorium, New Delhi{{cite news|title=The spirit of Hum|url=http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/the-spirithum/425787/|accessdate=11 December 2012|newspaper=Business Standard|date=20 February 2011|author=Shubhra Mujumdar}}{{cite web|title=Photogallery|url=http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/events/delhi/hum-ensemble-band-rehearsals/articleshow/7527607.cms|work='Hum Ensemble' band rehearsals|publisher=The Times of India, Delhi|accessdate=11 December 2012}}{{cite web|title=The Rhythm of Life Concert|url=http://www.buzzintown.com/delhi/event--the-rhythm-life-concert/id--336114.html|work=Your Entertainment And Food Guide|publisher=Buzz in Town|accessdate=11 December 2012}} and NCPA, Mumbai.{{cite web|title=The Rhythm of Life Concert|url=http://mumbai.burrp.com/events/nehru-centre-auditorium_the-rhythm-of-life-concert-_worli_mumbai/1915138118|work=Events|publisher=Burrp!|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110227015310/http://mumbai.burrp.com/events/nehru-centre-auditorium_the-rhythm-of-life-concert-_worli_mumbai/1915138118|archivedate=27 February 2011}}

In November 2012, its World Harmony Concert was performed at the Kamani Auditorium in New Delhi,{{cite news|title=Crossover melody|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/parties/delhi/Crossover-melody/articleshow/17293707.cms|accessdate=11 December 2012|newspaper=The Times of India|date=21 November 2012|author=Piyali Dasgupta}} and the concert received critical acclaim in the Indian media.{{cite news|title=An ensemble of world musicians|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/293007/an-ensemble-world-musicians.html|accessdate=11 December 2012|newspaper=Deccan Herald|date=20 November 2012|author=Archana Mishra}}

Through these concerts, HUM raises funds for its endeavors to support education in arts of differently-abled children. HUM also plans to provide health insurance for aging artists.

The HUM Ensemble now tours extensively in the United States and has recently performed at venues like the National Gallery of Art,{{cite web |title=Sandeep Das and the HUM Ensemble - National Gallery of Art |url=https://www.nga.gov/calendar/concerts/many-paths/sandeep-das-hum-ensemble.html/2022/11/06/1500 |website=nga.gov |publisher=National Gallery of Art |access-date=3 December 2022}} Carolina Performing Arts,{{cite web |title=Delhi to Damascus - Carolina Performing Arts |url=https://carolinaperformingarts.org/events/delhi-to-damascus/ |website=carolinaperformingarts.org |publisher=Carolina Performing Arts |access-date=3 December 2022}} and Cal Performances.{{cite web |title=Sandeep Das and the HUM Ensemble; Delhi to Damascus |url=https://secure.calperformances.org/13254/13347 |website=calperformances.org |access-date=3 December 2022}}

In 2012, Sandeep Das was invited by the Harvard Graduate School of Education{{cite web|department=Arts & Culture|url=http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2011/09/on-the-silk-road-again/|title=On the Silk Road again|work=Harvard Gazette|date=27 September 2011|accessdate=31 December 2012}}{{cite web|department=Arts & Culture|url=http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2012/01/sounds-of-the-silk-road/|title=Sounds of the Silk Road|work=Harvard gazette|date=26 January 2012|accessdate=31 December 2012}}{{cite web|title=The Silk Road Project, Rhode Island School of Design and Harvard University, Announce New Educational Collaborations|url=http://www.fas.harvard.edu/home/news-and-notices/news/press-releases/release-archive/releases-2005/silk-03302005.shtml|work=Press Release|publisher=Harvard Faculty of Arts & Sciences|accessdate=31 December 2012}} to teach a course on Arts in Education. He has given masterclasses at Juilliard School of Music, Berklee College[https://www.berklee.edu/ Berklee Homepage | Berklee] of Music, Rhode Island School of Design,{{cite web|title=Silk Road Project Residencies at RISD|url=http://www.silkroadproject.org/Programs/ArtistsinResidence/RISD/tabid/159/Default.aspx|work=Programs|publisher=Silk Road Project|accessdate=31 December 2012}}{{cite web|title=The Silk Road Project's Spring 2009 Residency at Rhode Island School of Design|url=http://www.risd.edu/templates/content.aspx?id=4294974012|work=Press Releases|publisher=Rhode Island School of Design|accessdate=31 December 2012}} Harvard University Academy of Music in Villecroze, France and Stanford University.{{cite web|title=Yo-Yo Ma and The Silk Road Ensemble Documentary, The Road to Beijing|url=http://spice.stanford.edu/catalog/yoyo_ma_and_the_silk_road_ensemble_documentary_the_road_to_beijing/|work=Stanford Program on International & Cross-Cultural Education|publisher=SPICE Publications|accessdate=31 December 2012}}

Sandeep's compositions exhibit both the Western and Indian genres of music. He has composed multiple pieces over the years including Soul Mitra (2019),Vaishnavi (2018), Vairocana (2018) King Ashoka (2016), If You Shall Return (2016), Mohini (2006), Srishti (2005), and Tarang (2002).{{Cite web|url=https://www.sandeepdas.com/music|title=Compositions|website=Sandeep Das|language=en|access-date=2019-09-21}}

Vaishnavi was inspired by a ninth century statue of Queen Sembiyan Mahadevi as the Goddess Parvati on display at the Smithsonian Freer | Sackler galleries in Washington, D.C, and was commissioned by the Freer | Sackler from Silkroad in honor of Julian Raby through a generous gift from Jeffrey P. Cunard. The piece begins with an alap between the Sheng (Chinese Mouth Organ) and Bass that transitions to the rhythm cycle, Jhaptaal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sandeepdas.com/music|title=Compositions {{!}} Sandeep Das|website=Tabla Maestro Sandeep Das|language=en|access-date=2020-02-10}} Vaishnavi was originally performed as a trio of Tabla, Sheng, and Bass, but has been performed in several alternate instrumentations such as Tabla and Bass.{{Citation|title=SILKROAD {{!}} "Vaishnavi" with Sandeep Das (tabla) and Shawn Conley (bass) at Rothko Chapel|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYaUkhvK0q0|language=en|access-date=2020-02-10}} The piece can currently be heard playing in the museum on its audio tour.

• Delhi to Damascus, Sandeep Das & the HUM Ensemble, 2020, Label: In a Circle Records{{Cite web|title=In A Circle Records|url=https://inacircle-records.com/about|access-date=2020-08-15|website=inacircle-records.com}}
• Sing Me Home, Silk Road Ensemble, 2016, Label: Sony Masterworks{{Cite web|url=https://www.sony.com/en_us/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-music-masterworks/2016/yo-yo-ma-and-the-silk-road-ensemble-releases-new-a.html|title=Sony Corporation of America: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble Releases New Album Featuring Special Guests Including Rhiannon Giddens, Bill Frisell, Sarah Jarosz, Abigail Washburn, Gregory Porter And Others|website=www.sony.com|language=en|access-date=2017-02-13}}
• Diva Girija Devi, Girija Devi, 2016, Label: Times Music{{Cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Diva-Girija-Devi-Audio-CD/dp/B00EX4QOEK|access-date=2020-08-15|website=www.amazon.com|title=Diva Girija Devi}}
• A Playlist Without Borders, Silk Road Ensemble, 2013, Label: Sony Masterworks{{cite web|title=The Silk Road Ensemble With Yo-Yo Ma Continues To Cross Musical Boundaries with the Release of a Playlist Without Borders|url=http://www.sony.com/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-music-entertainment/2013/the-silk-road-ensemble-with-yo-yo-ma-continues-to-.shtml|publisher=Sony|accessdate=18 October 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019130222/http://www.sony.com/SCA/company-news/press-releases/sony-music-entertainment/2013/the-silk-road-ensemble-with-yo-yo-ma-continues-to-.shtml|archivedate=19 October 2013}}
• Big Grenadilla/Mumbai, with Evan Ziporyn, 2012, Label: Cantaloupe Music{{cite news|title=Keeping Score|url=http://www.timeoutmumbai.net/mumbai-local/featuresfeatures/keeping-score|accessdate=16 December 2012|newspaper=Time Out Mumbai|date=27 April 2012|author=Aditya Kundalkar}}
• Off the Map, Silk Road Ensemble, 2009, Label: World Village
• New Impossibilities, Silk Road Ensemble, 2007, Label: Sony Classics
• My Inspirations, Amjad Ali Khan, 2006, Label: Navras Records{{Cite web|title=My Inspirations by Amjad Ali Khan|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/my-inspirations/915150978|access-date=2020-08-15|website=Apple Music|language=en-us}}
• Silk Road Journeys: Beyond the Horizon, Silk Road Ensemble, 2005, Label: Sony Classical Records
• Sonata, Ayaan Ali Bangash, 2005, Label: Studio Synthesis{{Cite web|title=Sonata by Ayaan Ali Bangash|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/sonata/130304557|access-date=2020-08-15|website=Apple Music|date=17 January 2006|language=en-us}}
• The Essential Yo-Yo Ma, 2005, Label: Sony Classical Records
• Enchantment, Silk Road Ensemble, 2004, Label: Sony Classical Records
• The Rain, Ghazal Ensemble, 2004, Label: ECM Records
• Indian Delta, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, 2002, Label: Sense World Music
• The Taj Heritage Series: Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, 2002, Label: Virgin Records
• Silk Road Journeys: When Strangers Meet, Silk Road Ensemble, 2002, Label: Sony Classical Records
• The Best of the Cord, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, 1996, Label: Indian Music Club
• Maestros Mehfil, Various Artists, 1995, T-Series
• The Tradition of Khyal on Sitar, Shujaat Khan, 1995, Label: Makal Records
• Lure of the Desert, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, 1994, Label: T-Series
• Raag Bilaskhani Todi, Shujaat Khan, 1994, Label: Young Spirit Records

• Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellow, Traditional Arts,{{cite web |title=Check out Sandeep Das's work on @masscultural's gallery! |url=https://massculturalcouncil.org/gallery/sandeep-das-20222655-2022/ |website=massculturalcouncil.org |publisher=Mass Cultural Council |access-date=3 December 2022}} 2022
• John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellow, 2019{{Cite web|url=https://www.gf.org/fellows/all-fellows/sandeep-das/|title=John Simon Guggenheim Foundation {{!}} Sandeep Das|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-14}}
• Live Arts Boston Grant Recipient, The Boston Foundation, 2018{{Cite web|url=https://www.tbf.org:443/nonprofits/grant-making-initiatives/live-arts-boston/lab-2018|title=Live Arts Boston 2018 Grantees|website=www.tbf.org|access-date=2019-06-14}}
• Grammy Award, Best World Music Album, 2017, for the album Sing Me Home.
• Brother Thomas Fellow, The Boston Foundation, 2017{{Cite web|url=https://www.tbf.org:443/news-and-insights/press-releases/2017/october/br-thomas-fellows|title=Meet the 14 Brother Thomas Fellows|website=www.tbf.org|access-date=2019-06-14}}
• New England Choice Awards Artist of the Year, 2017{{Cite web|url=https://indianewengland.com/2017/10/grammy-winner-tabla-maestro-sandeep-das-receive-artist-year-award-new-england-choice-awards-gala/|title=Grammy Winner Tabla Maestro Sandeep Das to Receive Artist of the Year Award at New England Choice Awards Gala|website=indianewengland.com|date=18 October 2017|access-date=2019-06-14}}
• Grammy Nomination, Best Classical Crossover Album, 2009, for album Off The Map.
• Grammy Nomination, Best World Music Album, 2005, for the album The Rain.
• Awarded Chattra Vibhushan by Banaras Hindu University
• Awarded Significant Achievement Award by St. Xavier's High School
• Awarded Patna College Blue by Patna College

Sandeep Das resides in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. He met his future wife Tripti while they were members of the National Cadet Corps, at the 1985 Republic Day celebrations of India.{{cite news|title=Striking his own beat, his own rhythm|newspaper=The Hindu|date=7 May 2004}} They have two daughters, Sakshi and Sonakshi.

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• [http://www.sandeepdas.com/Sandeep Das Official Site]
• [https://www.sandeepdas.com/humensemble Hum Ensemble]
• [http://www.silkroadproject.org, Silk Road Project]
• [http://www.bmop.org/explore-bmop/musicians/sandeep-das, BMOP]
• [http://www.ziporyn.com/records/biggren/index.html Ziporyn, Recordings]

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Category:Living people

Category:Tabla players

Category:Indian percussionists

Category:1971 births

Category:Musicians from Patna

Category:St. Xavier's Patna alumni

Category:20th-century Indian musicians

Category:Banaras Hindu University alumni

Category:21st-century Indian drummers

Category:Indian world music musicians