Tihāī Ensemble
Tihāī Ensemble
Tihāī is a Hindustānī music ensemble based in the Greater Vancouver region, featuring vocalist and ensemble leader Akhil Jobanputra, harmoniumist Mohan Bhide, and Hriday Buddhdev on tabla and pakhavaj. A tihāī is a polyrhythmic technique where a musical idea is reiterated three times, typically returning to a composition’s mukhḍā (refrain) or the sam (first beat). It is a playful element of Hindustānī music utilized in improvisation and to denote the conclusion of a composition and its elaboration. Hindustānī music has existed in its current form for hundreds of years, but it is also a living tradition that is constantly evolving. The musicians of this ensemble are dedicated to the past and future of this musical practice and to presenting Hindustānī music in an approachable, engaging, and authentically creative manner. Each artist complements and inspires one another, progressing towards an emotional crescendo through spontaneous improvisations, gradually constructing an intricate edifice that merges melody, rhythm, poetry, and one another in musical unison.
Akhil Jobanputra | Vocalist
Akhil Jobanputra is a student, performer, educator, and curator of Indian classical music. He began his musical journey at the age of three, learning from various teachers across different gharanas and traditions over the years. Since 2017, he has been receiving intensive training under the tutelage of the highly respected gurus Dr. Pandit Arun Dravid and Pandit Arijit Mahalanabis. Featured as one of CBC’s “30 Under 30” Canadian classical musicians in 2024, Akhil is a practitioner of various genres of Hindustani vocal music, including Dhrupad, Khayal, and Thumri. His musical practice is deeply informed by his exposure to a diverse array of stylistic disciplines, artists, and musical lineages. With a voice that moves across centuries, Akhil’s repertoire encompasses rare and familiar traditional compositions alongside a range of contemporary creations, including his own. Akhil has performed across Canada, the United States, India, and the United Kingdom, with notable appearances at Kitab Khana in India, the Chilliwack Cultural Centre in Canada, and the Chhandayan Center for Indian Music in the United States. Rooted in tradition yet ever curious and exploratory, his music is characterized by rhythmic playfulness, emotive ornamentation, and unhurried, expansive expressions of rāgas and compositions. As an educator, Akhil is passionate about investing in the future of this music, teaching students from a variety of backgrounds through the Kalāvāṇī Institute. At the age of twelve, Akhil founded the Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver (ICMSV). Since then, he has curated a series of initiatives and events aimed at increasing awareness, accessibility, and education around Indian classical music. Through his work, he has created spaces where seasoned listeners and newcomers alike can explore the depth and beauty of Indian classical music in community.
Hriday Buddhdev | Tabla
Hriday Buddhdev is a rising force in Canada’s Indian classical music scene, celebrated for his rare pursuit of both sarod and tabla. Named one of CBC’s “30 Under 30” classical artists, Hriday has performed across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Born and raised in British Columbia, he began his musical journey on the tabla at age four and later found his calling with the sarod at the age of nine. He continues his advanced training under Ustad Alam Khan and Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri at the Ali Akbar College of Music in California. A three-time recipient of the Advanced Instrumental Scholarship from AACM, Hriday has presented at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Day of Music thrice, most recently making his debut in London at the Nehru Centre, as well as at the Festival of Tabla in LA. With artistry rooted in tradition and shaped by innovation, Hriday brings a fresh, soulful voice to the evolving classical landscape.
Mohan Bhide | Harmonium
Mohan has learnt Indian music since childhood – initially from local music teachers – Mr Modak and Mr. Thakre. Later on, he learnt advanced music courses under the tutelage of Mr. Balasaheb Mate and Mr Govindrao Patwardhan – both accomplished harmonium players and versatile musicians. He has played with well-known artists both in Vancouver, as well as India and elsewhere abroad. Some of the artistes he has accompanied are – Mr. Chota Gandharva, Mr. Sudhir Datar, Mrs. Shaila Datar, Mrs. Ashwini Bhide – Deshpande, Mrs. Shubha Mudgal, Mr. Sanjeev Abhyankar to name a few. Mohan is known for his well-rounded knowledge of the Indian classical and semi-classical and folk music traditions.
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Tihāī Ensemble
Tihāī is a Hindustānī music ensemble based in the Greater Vancouver region, featuring vocalist and ensemble leader Akhil Jobanputra, harmoniumist Mohan Bhide, and Hriday Buddhdev on tabla and pakhavaj. A tihāī is a polyrhythmic technique where a musical idea is reiterated three times, typically returning to a composition’s mukhḍā (refrain) or the sam (first beat). It is a playful element of Hindustānī music utilized in improvisation and to denote the conclusion of a composition and its elaboration. Hindustānī music has existed in its current form for hundreds of years, but it is also a living tradition that is constantly evolving. The musicians of this ensemble are dedicated to the past and future of this musical practice and to presenting Hindustānī music in an approachable, engaging, and authentically creative manner. Each artist complements and inspires one another, progressing towards an emotional crescendo through spontaneous improvisations, gradually constructing an intricate edifice that merges melody, rhythm, poetry, and one another in musical unison.
Akhil Jobanputra | Vocalist
Akhil Jobanputra is a student, performer, educator, and curator of Indian classical music. He began his musical journey at the age of three, learning from various teachers across different gharanas and traditions over the years. Since 2017, he has been receiving intensive training under the tutelage of the highly respected gurus Dr. Pandit Arun Dravid and Pandit Arijit Mahalanabis. Featured as one of CBC’s “30 Under 30” Canadian classical musicians in 2024, Akhil is a practitioner of various genres of Hindustani vocal music, including Dhrupad, Khayal, and Thumri. His musical practice is deeply informed by his exposure to a diverse array of stylistic disciplines, artists, and musical lineages. With a voice that moves across centuries, Akhil’s repertoire encompasses rare and familiar traditional compositions alongside a range of contemporary creations, including his own. Akhil has performed across Canada, the United States, India, and the United Kingdom, with notable appearances at Kitab Khana in India, the Chilliwack Cultural Centre in Canada, and the Chhandayan Center for Indian Music in the United States. Rooted in tradition yet ever curious and exploratory, his music is characterized by rhythmic playfulness, emotive ornamentation, and unhurried, expansive expressions of rāgas and compositions. As an educator, Akhil is passionate about investing in the future of this music, teaching students from a variety of backgrounds through the Kalāvāṇī Institute. At the age of twelve, Akhil founded the Indian Classical Music Society of Vancouver (ICMSV). Since then, he has curated a series of initiatives and events aimed at increasing awareness, accessibility, and education around Indian classical music. Through his work, he has created spaces where seasoned listeners and newcomers alike can explore the depth and beauty of Indian classical music in community.
Hriday Buddhdev | Tabla
Hriday Buddhdev is a rising force in Canada’s Indian classical music scene, celebrated for his rare pursuit of both sarod and tabla. Named one of CBC’s “30 Under 30” classical artists, Hriday has performed across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Born and raised in British Columbia, he began his musical journey on the tabla at age four and later found his calling with the sarod at the age of nine. He continues his advanced training under Ustad Alam Khan and Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri at the Ali Akbar College of Music in California. A three-time recipient of the Advanced Instrumental Scholarship from AACM, Hriday has presented at the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Day of Music thrice, most recently making his debut in London at the Nehru Centre, as well as at the Festival of Tabla in LA. With artistry rooted in tradition and shaped by innovation, Hriday brings a fresh, soulful voice to the evolving classical landscape.
Mohan Bhide | Harmonium
Mohan has learnt Indian music since childhood – initially from local music teachers – Mr Modak and Mr. Thakre. Later on, he learnt advanced music courses under the tutelage of Mr. Balasaheb Mate and Mr Govindrao Patwardhan – both accomplished harmonium players and versatile musicians. He has played with well-known artists both in Vancouver, as well as India and elsewhere abroad. Some of the artistes he has accompanied are – Mr. Chota Gandharva, Mr. Sudhir Datar, Mrs. Shaila Datar, Mrs. Ashwini Bhide – Deshpande, Mrs. Shubha Mudgal, Mr. Sanjeev Abhyankar to name a few. Mohan is known for his well-rounded knowledge of the Indian classical and semi-classical and folk music traditions.