Performing Arts

Profiles of teachers

SANJU SAHAI

TABLA

Sanju Sahai is an outstanding tabla player who has accompanied many senior artists, including acclaimed vocalist Pandit Rajan Sajan Mishra, sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, kathak dancer Pandit Birju Maharaj and guitarist Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt.

He comes from a very eminent percussion lineage. He is a direct descendent of Pandit Ram Sahai, the founder of the Benares Gharana. Sanju was trained by his guru, Pandit Sharda Sahai, the virtuoso player. He began playing at the age of four, demonstrating his prodigious skills and at the age of nine, he gave his first public performance at the Sankat Mochan Temple in Benares.

Beyond his classical tradition, he has gone on to work within genres as diverse as Egyptian, Spanish, Jazz, Folk and Blues Music. He is based in London and promotes concerts and musical education with Parampara Arts Network. Currently, he teaches tabla at the London University and in many schools throughout London. 

Urja Desai Thakore

Kathak (North India Classical dance)

Urja Desai Thakore, has been trained at the well-known Kadamb dance academy at Ahmedabad - India, since the tender age of 6. Urja learned under tutelage of Sandhyaben Desai and the renowned Padmashree Kumudini Lakhia. She was part of the Kadamb entourage performing at venues and festivals all over India and Nepal. She also taught at the academy under the watchful eye of 'Kumiben'. She is now settled in UK.Urja is a graceful and an emotive dancer. Her love for 'Abhinay' (facial expression), clear subtle movements and technical strength provides a very holistic experience to the audience. Her years of experience in Kathak have provided her with diverse vocabulary that gives her performance a fresh look and feel.

Urja maintains strong roots in traditional Kathak and all its aspects. She believes that she is still a student and desires any opportunity to learn. For this reason, Urja undertook an intensive training to learn choreographic aspects to a Kathak performance from India's acclaimed Choreographer Padmashree Kumudini Lakhia.

MEHBOOB NADEEM

SITAR & VOCAL
He was born on 15 th October 1967 into a highly illustrious family of traditional musicians of the Agra Gharana. He is the grandson of the legendary Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan (Pranpiya) and Gayan Samrat Ustad Azmat Hussain Khan (Dilrang)

Mehboob was initiated in the art of music at a very young age by his father Ustad Yakub Hussain Khan and uncle Shri Rafat Khan - in addition under the able guidance of the world renowned sitar maestro Pandit Arvind Parikh, and grew up into an artist of rare calibre and much promise.

He has been the recipient of many prestigious music scholarships and has won accolades in a number of music competitions since my childhood. In 1991 he was honoured with the first prize in the All India Young Talent Contest from Nagpur and Khandwa and also a Bombay University Music Competition Trophy in the same year.

Endowed with a rich melodious and sonorous voice, he also learnt vocal music from his father Ustad Yakub Hussain Khan and his uncle Ustad Aslam Khan.

Apart from being gifted and talented, he possesses a keen and aesthetic sense and matured ability in the development and rendering of a raga.

Under the devoted teaching of his Guru and mentor Pandit Arvind Parikh he has excelled in perfecting the techniques and style of the legendary sitar maestro Ustad Vilayat Khan and has emerged to be a promising young sitarist of the Vilayatkhani Gharana.

His performances are truly unique and inspiring, and have enthralled audiences in India and abroad. He is a regular performer of all India Radio, where he gives solo performances. He has performed all over India, East Africa, and Europe and is currently engaged with workshops and concerts in UK.

Mehboob is also a well-respected and experienced teacher. He regularly engages in teaching activity through one-to-one tuition, schools workshops and at higher education levels. He has worked in India and in England, including with Ealing Music Support Services, Leeds College of Music, Redbridge Music Service and others.