Sitar maestro Ravi Chary will present Ravi Chary Crossing, an evening of Indo-jazz fusion, on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi, Mumbai. The concert, which is open to the public with free entry, commemorates the birth centenary of his father, the late tabla maestro Pandit Prabhakar Chari (1926–2003).
Presented by Indostage Creation & Production Pvt. Ltd. in association with Ravi Chary’s Swar Sanskruti Music Academy, the concert will explore the interplay between Indian classical ragas and contemporary jazz, bringing together musicians from diverse musical backgrounds.
Joining Ravi Chary on sitar will be Ojas Adhiya on tabla, Gino Banks on drums, Sangeet Haldipur on keyboards and Sheldon D’Silva on bass guitar. Pianist, keyboardist and music director Merlin D’Souza will make a special guest appearance on keyboards.
At the heart of the concert is the relationship between tradition and experimentation. While Indian classical music provides the melodic foundation, jazz introduces new rhythmic and harmonic possibilities, creating space for improvisation and musical dialogue.
Reflecting on his father’s legacy and the importance of classical training, Ravi Chary said, “Even in his centenary birth year, Pandit Prabhakar Chari’s work and legacy still continue. In any music, the basics are very important. If your roots are strong, you can go anywhere.”
For Merlin D’Souza, the collaboration represents an opportunity to bring together two musical worlds. “Performing alongside Pandit Ravi Chary is a celebration of my Indian roots and the boundless freedom of jazz, where tradition meets improvisation. My presence on stage is about creating a musical dialogue that transcends boundaries, honouring our heritage while embracing the universal language of music,” she said.
Tabla player Ojas Adhiya sees improvisation as an essential part of this musical exchange. “The groove helps me connect with myself. The freedom that jazz offers allows me to stay open, be completely in the moment and explore new perspectives in my musical expression,” he shared.
For keyboardist Sangeet Haldipur, the challenge lies in balancing experimentation with the integrity of the original composition. “The beauty of music to me is that it’s truly limitless. My main motive is to keep the soul of the raga and the musical composition intact,” he said.
Drummer Gino Banks traces his connection with fusion music to his childhood. “My first experience with ragas blending with jazz-rock grooves goes back to when I was just nine years old. My father’s group, Sangam, was my introduction to fusion music. This influence helped me come up with grooves that serve the raga compositions Ravi brings to the band,” he recalled.
Bass guitarist Sheldon D’Silva highlighted the role of his instrument in connecting the melodic and rhythmic elements of the ensemble. “In any musical composition, the bassline serves as the foundation, the glue, providing both the rhythmic groove and the harmonic framework. The sitar integrates seamlessly with the bass, completing the sonic spectrum and giving me a foundation for the sitar to freely improvise,” he explained.
Through Ravi Chary Crossing, the musicians aim to demonstrate how Indian classical traditions and contemporary musical expressions can engage with one another without losing their individual identities. The concert also serves as a tribute to Pandit Prabhakar Chari’s musical legacy, connecting the foundations of classical training with the possibilities of cross-genre collaboration.
Event Details: Ravi Chary Crossing will take place on Sunday, 18 October 2026, at 8:45 PM at Ravindra Natya Mandir, Prabhadevi, Mumbai. Entry is free.
