1992 - 1997 : The first concerts

As tabla is a fascinating instrument for western ears, I got very fast many opportunities to perform for the public. My first concerts were around Rouen accompanying my synthesizer class, playing with a classical and jazz young guitarist and then performing as the tabla player of the Sahaj Band formation.

My first Concert Le Havre 1992

Sahaj Band was a Indian folk group based in Montpellier composed of members of the Sahaja Yoga Association. We played for all the south of France Indian festivals as well as performed many concerts initiating the French public to folk Indian and Quawwalis music. Concerts were always very joyful and interactive with many spontaneous dances and cheerings in our public.

Sahaj Band Concert at Le Garden Montpellier 1994

During these years I loved exploring many different music styles. I was playing and performing for my engineer school rock band, jamming with any musicians on my road (jazz to reggae), giving tabla lessons to motivated students or enjoying a discussion with passionate musicians… All these experiences gave me strong support in my tabla daily practice and honed my love and passion for the Indian classical and folk music.

Sahaj Band - Eastern Europe Tour 1994

In the summer 1996 we got the chance to perform a tour in Eastern Europe (Czech Rep, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria). Our public response was tremendous. We spent 15 days in heaven: travelling, meeting people, making them enjoying our music, dancing and helping them to settle in this joyfull atmosphere. I’m still in contact with our “fans” of these times and many of them became great musicians !