THE MELODIES OF MATERIALS
Materials science is at the heart of innovation, shaping the tools and technologies of our modern world. Let's dive into the intricacies behind the materials that define the music and sounds of our lives.
1/28/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 5 min read
A Touching Moment with Kuljit Bhamra - Pioneer, Inventor, and Tabla Player Extraordinaire
Last Updated: 1/30/2025
Welcome 2025! Thank you for being a part of the Melodies of Materials blog.
My fascinating conversation with Keda Music founder and CEO Kuljit Bhamra to learn more about the TablaTouch left me inspired and intrigued by the innovative fusion of tradition and technology. The TablaTouch is to the traditional Tabla as the keyboard is to the piano or as the electric guitar is to the acoustic guitar. Our discussion led me deeper into the heart of the first electronic Tabla and how it has, and will, continue to shape the instrument and its popularity worldwide today.
Kuljit Bhamra MBE Hon DMus is an award-winning tabla player, composer, and record-produced who has been playing the Tabla since age 6. Once an engineer, he is now a full-time musician working as a Professor of Tabla at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in London, United Kingdom. Bhamra has worked on sets and performed Tabla around the world, notably in 2002 as a part of the West End Musical's Bombay Dreams, a Bollywood themed musical originally produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber with music by A.R. Rahman.
For those unfamiliar with the Tabla, a common issue with the traditional acoustic instrument is its tediousness. Bhamra and I share the same problem when performing live with singers: the variability in pitch. Every Tabla player knows what I’m talking about: having to carry 5 or 6 sets of the instrument just to make do for one performance. Bhamra saw a problem in this traditional method of performing and sought to find a solution that would benefit not only him but for Tabla enthusiasts around the planet as well. This became evident to him at the beginning of his musical journey with a jazz band and saxophonist Andy Sheppard, often having to carry several heavy Tablas to the venue, sometimes requiring to change Tablas in the middle of his performances.
Picture of the TablaTouch device
The electronic Tabla wasn’t necessarily Bhamra’s dream at the start, nor was the idea of monetizing it. As he described in the interview, noting it as a fantasy idea, he desired a Tabla that he could speak to and have it change pitch at any given moment, which has somewhat become the reality we see today through the TablaTouch. Thus, Bhamra joined forces with Graham England and Phillip Eddershaw to design the first electronic Tabla, one that could change pitch through just the spin of a dial, while still retaining the sound and experience of Tabla that we traditional players cherish.
For myself, I sought to explore the materials side of the innovation, trying to find Bhamra’s balance between material and authenticity, providing players with the best and most realistic experience with the device. For starters, Bhamra describes the TablaTouch, which is made of plastic and oak wood, as a much more durable contraption than the traditional Tabla, which is made from wood and goat skin. The traditional Tabla is very delicate and often requires repair or surface replacement, which is something that Bhamra wanted to essentially eliminate with his invention. The TablaTouch is made with a linoleum-like surface that ensures accurate sensitivity, a realistic feel, and durability. According to Bhamra, all design decisions aimed to mimic the traditional Tabla while also reinforcing its strength and providing subtle benefits.
The sound transmission in the TablaTouch is designed to provide a true-to-life experience by using meticulously sampled sounds from real Tablas. This ensures an authentic replication of traditional Tabla sounds, making it accessible to users unfamiliar with the instrument. A comprehensive sound bank is programmed into the device that accurately transmits sounds to a speaker or headphone based on the player’s sensor position on the surface, delivering an immersive experience.
For Bhamra, having a diverse team with varied expertise is what makes Keda Music such a great force. Composed of product designers and software engineers, everyone brings a unique perspective to the table to make the TablaTouch the well-rounded instrument it is today and how it can transform in the near future.
For now, the TablaTouch has provided the gateway for digitizing the traditional instrument, but it must be noted that the device is not a replacement for the traditional Tabla. Bhamra believes that the TablaTouch, with worldwide purchase, is introducing and cultivating the traditional Tabla to people everywhere. The TablaTouch has been famously played by Arijit Singh, a renowned Indian singer and former Tabla player and will continue to grow and be played by more and more people across the globe as Keda Music continues to upgrade and refine their revolutionary device.
This conversation with Kuljit Bhamra left me enriched and with a deep sense of appreciation for how someone with such passion for Tabla took a personal problem and set forth to find the solution to benefit the greater Tabla community, giving birth to a miraculous invention, the world’s first electronic Tabla. I would like to thank Mr. Bhamra for his generosity and taking the time to discuss with me his journey with Keda Music, stirring my enthusiasm to explore the union of my love for the traditional Tabla and my interests in materials technology even further. Continue with me on this journey of discovering the intricacies of Tabla and modern technology. Until dhin . . . stay upbeat and stay tuned.
Watch the full interview.