SUGUNAN . K —a freelance journalist and cultural chronicler,  writes reviews for Yathraemagazine—an online space that celebrates India’s vibrant artistic journeys. Email: kskannur2015@gmail.com

Posted on 14 October 2025:

MANMOHAN DOGRA, A RISING TABLA VIRTUOSO, STUNNED GLOBAL AUDIENCES AT EDINBURGH FRINGE 2025 Anhad: The Infinite Rhythm. TRAINED IN DELHI AND REFINED IN EDINBURGH, MANMOHAN’S JOURNEY IS A RHYTHM OF TRADITION AND VISION—HIS BEATS NOW SPEAK TO THE WORLD, CROSSING BORDERS.

TABLA VIRTUOSO MANMOHAN DOGRA SHINES AT EDINBURGH FRINGE 2025 AND LONDON’S CULTURAL CIRCLES

Manmohan Dogra, a rising star in Indian classical music, mesmerized global audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2025 with his spellbinding performance in Anhad: The Infinite Rhythm. A master of traditional tabla techniques—kaidas, relas, tukdas and chakradhaars—Manmohan infused each composition with fresh improvisations that felt both meditative and electrifying. His artistry revealed rhythm not just as sound, but as a spiritual language of connection and emotion.

Educated at Hindu College and Ramjas College, University of Delhi, where he earned top Honours in Music, Manmohan Dogra further refined his craft at Edinburgh Napier University, UK, completing a Master of Arts with a focus on ‘Employability in Music, Networking, and Transmitting Your Business.’ With a foundation rooted in tradition and a vision tuned to the  future, Manmohan Dogra is fast becoming a global ambassador of contemporary rhythm—his tabla speaks across borders, generations and genres.

Nurtured by Tradition, Shaped by Pandit Vijay Shankar Mishra

Manmohan Dogra’s musical journey is deeply rooted in the nurturing soil of the Society for Action through Music (SAM), New Delhi. Under the guidance of a seasoned mentor, Pandit Vijay Shankar Mishra, his tabla training blossomed into a disciplined yet expressive art form.

His debut on DD Urdu marked the start of a vibrant  performance career, followed by appearances at Subha-e-Banaras, BHU with Pandit Geetesh Mishra, and the International Kabir Festival. Representing SAM, he brought the soul of Indian classical music to diverse audiences across India.

Manmohan Dogra’s recent performances span prestigious platforms, from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to diplomatic receptions in London. In Raag Rang: A Journey Through Indian Musical Traditions (2024), he joined harmonium artist David Beards to explore the emotional depth of ragas, delivering a solo that seamlessly intertwined rhythm and melody. A year later, in Anhad: The Infinite Rhythm (2025), Manmohan returned to the Fringe as a featured soloist, captivating critics with his electrifying improvisations and intricate kaidas, relas, tukdas and chakradhaars. His tabla spoke with cosmic grace, earning praise as a “sonic tapestry.”

At Camden Market’s Echoes of Tradition Dance Festival, he fused Kathak with jazz, collaborating with Siemy Di and Richa Srivastava to create a rhythmic canvas that pulsed  with contemporary energy. Whether accompanying legends like OBE Baluji Srivastava at the IMO Headquarters, London or directing devotional music with British students at The Bhavan, Manmohan’s artistry bridges cultures and generations. His teentaal solo at the Nehru Centre (Indian High Commission), London, honored the Banaras gharana with quiet brilliance, while his appearances at the Diversity Festival and Pre-Diwali Reception showcased his versatility and global appeal.

With each performance, Manmohan Dogra reaffirms that rhythm is not just tradition—it’s transformation.

In June 2024, he performed as a percussionist at Hoxton Square, London, accompanying Hayat Selim’s Arabic music set with a vibrant mix of tabla and darbuka. The result was a mesmerizing dialogue between East and Middle East—where each beat carried echoes of heritage and innovation.

Earlier, in a groundbreaking collaboration with the Napier University Chamber Orchestra (Feb–Mar 2023), Manmohan composed and performed a fusion piece that introduced Raga Jog into the Western classical canon. The performance, praised for its elegance and originality, bridged two musical worlds with grace and garnered widespread acclaim and online engagement. Whether on stage or in the studio, Manmohan Dogra’s  percussion speaks a universal language—one that celebrates diversity, connection and the timeless pulse of creativity.

Aarambh Kathak Pathashala on 27 October 2025

At Aarambh Kathak Pathashala, Patidar House, Wembley, London, Manmohan Dogra’s tabla accompaniment for Kathak dancer Richa Srivastava demonstrated the profound subtlety of his musicianship. Performing a full-length recital in Teentaal, the duo navigated both Vilambit (slow tempo) and Drut (fast tempo) compositions—Gat Bhav, Toda, Tukra, Chalan and Paran—with striking precision and empathy. In the Vilambit section, Manmohan’s touch was deliberate and introspective; each bol resonated with clarity, allowing the dancer’s abhinaya to unfold organically. His control over layakari—especially during transitions from barabar to dugun and tigun—showed not only technical mastery but also an intuitive understanding of Richa Srivastava’s improvisational cues. The rhythmic dialogue between tabla and dance felt conversational rather than  mechanical, a true hallmark of seasoned accompaniment.

The Drut segment revealed another facet of his artistry. His tukras and parans were executed with clean articulation, never overpowering the dancer yet constantly propelling the energy forward. One particularly memorable moment came during the jugalbandi with London-based African drummer Siemy Di. Here, the convergence of Indian and African rhythmic traditions created an exhilarating exchange of ideas. The contrast between the deep, grounded resonance of the tabla and the earthy pulse of African percussion was handled with remarkable restraint and musical intelligence. Rather than competing for dominance, Manmohan crafted a dialogue that celebrated difference while finding unity in rhythm.

Critically speaking, what stood out most in this performance was his ability to balance traditional grammar with spontaneous innovation. There was a sense of quiet confidence—his playing never rushed to impress, but rather invited the audience to listen deeply. If there was a minor space for refinement, it could be in allowing a touch more dynamic contrast during certain ‘chakradhaars’ in the Drut tempo, which might have heightened the dramatic culmination. Yet, this is a matter of interpretation more than flaw. Overall, the concert was a masterclass in Sahitya (substance) over Shabda (sound)—a reflection of musical maturity that prioritizes meaning over mere virtuosity.

Manmohan Dogra to Join Flamenco Fusion at Stockbridge Church, Edinburgh

This October, tabla virtuoso Manmohan Dogra embarks on a trio of performances that celebrate the soul of Indian classical music and its global resonance.

On 17 October, he will perform alongside sitar legend Baluji Srivastava at the Nehru Centre, London (The High Commission of India) — an evening steeped in tradition and melodic depth.

The following day, he joins Spanish sitarist Etienne Bartholomew in a private concert in London, crafting an intimate dialogue of rhythm and grace.

On 25 October, Manmohan Dogra will take the stage at Pulse & Pineda in Edinburgh’s Stockbridge Parish Church, collaborating with flamenco  artist Brandon Walker in a genre-defying concert.

Blending Indian classical percussion with flamenco, Arabic and chamber music, the concert promises a rich tapestry of global rhythms and collaboration.

With this, Manmohan Dogra continues to redefine rhythm as a universal language—one that speaks to heritage, innovation and the shared heartbeat of global music.