Classical Café: Akash Parekar (sitar) & Janan Sathiendran (tabla)

Immerse yourself in the rich landscapes of Indian classical music brought to you by the North East’s award-winning arts organisation GemArts. Akash Parekar began his journey with the sitar at the age of 18 in 2011, and has since emerged as one of the most exciting talents among a new generation of British-born sitar players. With roots in Western classical and contemporary music, Akash brings a fresh, innovative voice to the instrument, blending tradition with modern musical sensibilities. A dedicated disciple of renowned sitarist Roopa Panesar, Akash has also been guided by esteemed musicians including Ustad Dharambir Singh MBE, Ustad Harjinderpal Singh (disciple of Pandit Shivkumar Sharma), and Ustad Irshad Khan (disciple and son of Ustad Imrat Khan, and nephew of Ustad Vilayat Khan). His collaborative work spans a wide creative spectrum, featuring projects with Zak Starkey (The Who, Oasis), Mayur Navekar (Bandish Projekt), and Michael Tedstone (ManikeMusic), among others. Akash has performed at major venues and festivals—including Glastonbury—and is currently working on his highly anticipated debut album. Janan Sathiendran is a dynamic tabla player whose artistry is shaped by deep training in both Hindustani and Carnatic traditions.