"Tabla Beyond Borders: Life, Spirit, and Rhythm with Ritesh Das"
Tabla Beyond Borders: Life, Spirit, and Rhythm with Ritesh Das This podcast is a space for real conversations—about rhythm, discipline, and the deeper purpose behind music. Hosted by tabla teacher and composer Ritesh Das, each episode brings together musicians, students, spiritual practitioners, and cultural workers to explore what tabla—and art itself—can reveal about life. We speak about tradition without being bound by it. We talk honestly about the path—its doubts, its rigour, its joy. Music here is not entertainment. It’s practice. It’s presence. It’s a way to listen. Whether you’re a student, an artist, or someone walking the inner path, these conversations invite you to reflect, question, and remember what really matters.
Episodes
Not every student wants the stage. And not every great player ends up on one.
In this episode, Ritesh Das reflects on a quieter kind of journey in the world of tabla—one not measured by applause or public recognition. Through personal stories from Kolkata, Toronto, and decades of teaching, he honours the students who showed up week after week, not for performance, but for depth. Mothers who watched. Adults who...
What if the joy you’re chasing isn’t really joy?
In this episode, Ritesh Das explores the quiet truth behind lasting joy—not the kind that comes from applause or outcomes, but the kind born from presence, practice, and deep inner alignment. Drawing from Vedantic teachings, daily discipline, and a life shaped by sound, he reflects on how real joy begins only after you’ve unlearned the noise and remembered your ...
In this powerful follow-up to Episode 12 (What is a Guru), Ritesh Das dives into the difficult but necessary topic of false Gurus—and the lessons they leave behind.
Drawing from Vedic roots and personal experience, he explores how false teachers appear in many forms: not just in ashrams, but in friendships, spiritual circles, relationships, and leadership roles. What happens when guidance turns into control? W...
Episode 11: What Is a Guru—Really?
In this episode, I return to the source.
Not to talk about gurus as personalities or institutions—but to ask:
What does the word “Guru” actually mean?
And how has that meaning changed—and been misused—over time?
Starting from the Vedas, through lived experience, and into the role of the śiṣya (student), I share what I’ve learned over a lifetime of study, teachin...
“Because That’s What This Is” is a raw, unfiltered reflection from the heart of Ritesh Das—composer, tabla teacher, founder of the Toronto Tabla Ensemble, and lifelong seeker. This podcast is not about performance. It’s not for promotion. It’s a return.
Through spontaneous conversation, memory, and deep truth-telling, Ritesh revisits the moments that shaped his path—from the purity of sound in empty rooms to t...
In this episode, I dive into the contrast between live performance and studio recording—two different experiences that shape the way we create and hear music.
🎵 Live vs. Studio: What’s gained, what’s lost—does one capture more soul than the other?
🛕 The Oral Tradition: In Indian classical music, we internalize and master compositions before performing—but how does this influence the transition from stage...
In this reflective episode of Tabla Beyond Borders with Ritesh Das, we welcome Isabelle Delaney from Montreal, a gifted percussionist whose journey with tabla and congas offers profound insights into life and balance. Through Ritesh's teaching philosophy—rooted in ear training and recitation—Isabelle discovered not only rhythm but also a deeper sense of harmony in her musical and personal life.
Together, ...
Join Ritesh Das in this compelling episode of "Tabla Beyond Borders," where he explores the transformative power of sound meditation through tabla. Discover how the focused meditation of sound not only enhances musical artistry but also serves as a profound tool for visualization and personal growth.
Ritesh shares insights into the role visualization has played in his journey and the growth of the To...
In this episode of "Tabla Beyond Borders," I reflect on the immense influence of Legendary Zakir Hussain, a virtuoso whose mastery of tabla has touched countless lives, including my own. My encounters with Zakir Bhai, though brief, were profound, offering lessons that resonate with me to this day. His connections with my family, particularly through my brother, the legendary Kathak dancer Pandit Chi...
In this episode, I delve into the profound impact of my time with the Aman Folk Ensemble, a pivotal chapter that shaped my musical perspective and approach. Join me as I recount the rich experiences of touring across the USA, from the bustling streets of major cities to the serene landscapes of Alaska, exploring the diversity of American communities and their cultural expressions. I'll share insights int...
In the latest episode of 'Tabla Beyond Borders: Life, Spirit, and Rhythm with Ritesh Das,' I share the story of my special collaboration with Kiyoshi Nagata on the piece Sare Panch with Taiko drums.
Collaboration, to me, is like a relationship—an ongoing journey that deepens as we grow. Kiyoshi and I started working together when I was in my thirties and he in his late twenties. Now, at age 67, the m...
In this episode of “Tabla Beyond Borders,” I explore the profound connection between tabla compositions and the rhythms of daily life. At the heart of tabla lies the concept of theme, variation, and Tihai—a structure that mirrors the way we navigate our own journeys.
Themes represent the foundations of our lives—the steady routines and patterns we rely on. Variations embody the challenges, opportunities, and c...
Tradition to Innovation—Planting the Seed for Creativity
In this episode, Ritesh Das delves into the roots of his innovative approach to tabla through the lens of his teaching. Drawing from traditional tabla compositions, Ritesh explains how the phrasing and essence of these age-old patterns serve as the seeds for new creative expressions and musical innovation. Listeners will discover how tradition becom...
In this inaugural episode, Ritesh Das takes listeners on a heartfelt journey into the origins of the Toronto Tabla Ensemble (TTE). Discover the vision and passion that led him to establish TTE in 1991, and how he set out to introduce and blend the art of tabla with diverse musical genres and cultures. At a time when few in Toronto, Canada, even knew what tabla was, forming an ensemble and building awareness p...
Popular Podcasts
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com