Dheeraj Shrestha

Dheeraj Shrestha is recognized as the foremost classical tabla player in Australia and is now based in Brisbane. As a performer he has established himself, worldwide, as one of the finest exponents of tabla. Technically Dheeraj Shrestha is unsurpassed as a stylist and his easy flowing style of playing sets him apart from other players of international renown. He is an accomplished soloist and a versatile (contemporary and traditional) accompanist. An irrepressible creativity, tremendous clarity and exciting rhythmic improvisation spontaneity are his stylistic hallmarks.Dheeraj Shrestha tours the world and Australia each year. Already in 2006 he has performed with Jeff Lang at WOMAD and at the Melbourne Commonwealth. Highlights of his 2005 world tour include performances at the Royal Albert Hall, London in the presence of Prince Charles and at the renowned Smithsonian Institute in Washington DC.Dheeraj is conversant with various forms of music besides Indian/ Nepalese classical and folk, for example jazz, blues, flamenco. He is renowned for introducing the shades of variation that the tabla creates and breaks down some of the complex rhythms in his tabla workshops and private lessons. His current projects include Rhythm Sutra, a collaboration with Afro Dizzi Act drummer Mark Henmann where two virtuoso rewrite the rhythmic doctrine, as East meets West and in a seamless exploration of synchronization and syncopation, Flamenco-Indo-Jazz and the establishment of a music academy, Rhythms of the World. Dheeraj Shrestha is a core member of award-winning Dya Singh World Music Group.Dheeraj Shrestha is renowned for his innovative teaching methods. He has presented beginner workshops to festivalgoers as well as advanced lecture demonstrations to music students at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music. He received his training in classical and contemporary music, graduating from the Prayaag Sangeet Samiti Allahbad, India. He has worked as a professional musician for almost 20 years and taught at the Fine Art College, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu and Adelaide TAFE College.