A study of change
TALAYAN
Rhythm as a universal language.
A living collaboration between drum kit and tabla — where the pulse of Africa, jazz and the West, and Indian classical meet, transform, and become something new.
The Idea
Talayan is a study of change.
The performance traces the different stages of artistic transformation, exploring how artists evolve as they encounter new ideas, cultures, and ways of creating. Each piece represents a different phase in that journey towards something new.
At the heart of the project are the parallel stories of drummer Max Roach and tabla maestro Chatur Lal, both of whom transformed their musical language through cross-cultural exchange. Their journeys mirror the performers’ own artistic evolution on stage, making the performance both a tribute to their legacy and a reflection on our own ongoing process of change.
Jazz & Beyond
The drum kit, improvisation and the freedom of jazz — conversation, risk, and swing.
The Deep Pulse
Polyrhythm and groove — the ancestral heartbeat that binds it all together.
Classical Roots
The tabla and the cyclical grammar of tala — centuries of rhythmic craft as the anchoring voice.
The Concert
What the audience witnesses.
The performance unfolds as a journey from melody to rhythm, beginning with an evolving dialogue between sitar and tabla. The drum set then enters, tracing the journey of African rhythms through Cuba and New Orleans into jazz, before opening a contemporary conversation between jazz and Indian rhythmic traditions. Sitar, tabla and drum set ultimately come together in spontaneous improvisation and rhythmic interplay, culminating in a final call-and-response with the audience — bringing musicians and listeners together through the universal language of rhythm.
The Masterclass
Rhythm, without borders.
Built on the collaboration between drummer Siemy Di and tabla player Manmohan Dogra, the Talayan masterclass explores rhythm as a universal language — weaving together influences from Africa, jazz and Western music, and Indian classical traditions.
Who it's for
- Musicians of all levels — and all instruments, not only percussionists.
- Anyone drawn to rhythm, creativity and cross-cultural discovery.
- Players curious how different musical cultures connect, complement and inspire one another.
An interactive demonstration of musical ideas — not a lecture.
What you'll gain
- Fine-tune your rhythmic language and vocabulary.
- Sharpen your rhythmic precision and inner timing.
- Develop deeper cultural awareness across traditions.
- Practical tools you can take straight back to your own playing.
What We Do
One project, many stages.
Learn
Interactive sessions on rhythm and cross-cultural playing for every instrument and level.
Concerts
Performances tracing the stages of transformation — drums, tabla and guests on stage.
Recording
Recording sessions that capture the collaboration and push it into new material.
Workshops & Touring
Workshops and performances taken to stages and communities around the world.
The Artists
Two rhythms, one conversation.
Drums · Jazz · Cross-cultural
Siemy Di
Siemy is a London based drummer with dual heritage of Africa and Brazil. His fascination with rhythm and culture shaped his musical education as he journeyed through the roots of jazz, Latin, rock and African music. To broaden his cultural depth and musical knowledge, Siemy studied Western classical music and most recently Carnatic rhythm under the guidance of the mridangam maestro M Balachandar. These influences were fused together to create a unique sound to complement Siemy’s signature 4 way coordination techniques showcased regularly through his masterclasses at Drum Channel, Drumeo.
Currently, Siemy focuses on his own music/dance/theatre production Prâna, an original blend of Indian, African and American Jazz rhythms that tells a fictitious story of the great jazz drummer Max Roach. The production highlights Siemy’s lifelong desire to portray drumming as an art form. Siemy is no stranger on stage and has performed with Roy Ayers, David Bowie, Mofro, Jimmy Somerville, Emma Bunton.
Tabla · Vocals · India
Manmohan Dogra
Manmohan Dogra is a Hindustani classical tabla artist rooted in the Banaras Gharana, with over two decades of practice. Born into a business family, he grew up hearing his mother, Renu Dogra, sing bhajans, and his school music teacher, Renuka, set him on the path of tabla. His main Guru is Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Pandit Vijay Shankar Mishra. He studied the Delhi and Ajrada Gharanas, and cites the late Ustad Zakir Hussain as an inspiration. Now based in the United Kingdom, he performs from Delhi to Edinburgh, captivating audiences with his command of tabla.
Featured & Guest Artists
The circle grows.
Talayan opens its stage to guest artists who join the conversation and bring new voices into the rhythm. Featured guests will be announced here.
Sitar
Etienne Bartholomew
The melodic voice that bridges the percussive worlds of tabla and jazz drums — sitar lines that carry both raga's gravity and improvisation's freedom.
Guitar · Composer
Varun Guru
Composer and guitarist rooted in the Carnatic tradition — he carries South Indian melody onto the electric guitar, threading raga-shaped lines through Talayan's cross-cultural sound.
To be announced
Guest Artist
A space reserved for a featured guest joining Talayan.
Gallery
The rhythm, in motion.
Start with the film from Talayan 1.0 — then the stills, arranged like a waveform, because that's how it feels.
Next concert: Saturday 7 November 2026, London — see the concert page
Booking
Book an artist.
Invite Talayan to your venue, festival, studio or classroom — for a concert, a recording session, a workshop, or the full masterclass. Tell us what you have in mind and we'll be in touch.