Gino Banks, the drummer behind Mumbai Drum Day, once said, “We know rhythm, even before we know our own voice.” As he prepares for the annual event this Friday, Banks reflects on the origins of the celebration. “The idea began as a way to celebrate the art of percussion and drummers,” he chuckles. For the past six years, Mumbai Drum Day has showcased a range of percussionists, from the legendary Ustad Zakir Hussain and Taufiq Qureshi to Sivamani and Ranjit Barot. This year, Banks will be joined by Trilok Gurtu and Sangeet Haldipur to lead the next generation of percussionists.
For Gurtu, a seasoned veteran of percussion, the energy of the performance is shaped by the audience. “It is the audience, and their response, that transforms such an experience,” he explains. Despite his extensive travels across Europe, the 73-year-old admits he isn’t entirely in touch with the latest trends in music. “That is precisely what excites me about this performance — an opportunity to visit my hometown, listen to new talent, and perhaps even learn from them,” Gurtu says.
Gurtu’s involvement also sets a global tone for the event. Banks comments, “There are very few percussion festivals in the country, let alone in the city. Zakir Bhai would host one on his late father Ustad Allarakha Khan’s barsi, but it focused primarily on Hindustani classical rhythms. This year, we’re aiming for a more diverse sound.”
The theme of this year’s event, India Unlimited, reflects this broader musical vision. “I wanted to bring drummers from across the country, and we’ve gathered a diverse group. Whether it’s Jivraj Singh from Kolkata, Suyash Gabriel from Delhi, Joshua Vaz from Mumbai, or Manjunath Sattyasheel from Chennai, they are all young talents new to the Mumbai audience,” says Banks.
Some of these names are already familiar to the writer. Singh, for example, is a member of the band Parekh & Singh, while Gabriel has performed with several bands, including Kraken and Komorebi. Banks adds, “This year’s focus is heavily on drums. I wanted to highlight the skill itself, but with Trilok Gurtu, a master percussionist, leading the way, his expertise will bring a unique touch, spanning from the djembe and tabla to hybrid drums.”
Gurtu explains, “In India, we do not have a drum culture like Brazil or Latin America. Over the years, I’ve learned to bring nature into my music. My rhythms incorporate sounds from birds, trees, wind, and everything around me.” Gurtu’s collaborations have taken him from working with saxophonist Jan Garbarek to projects with Robert Miles in Europe. He is currently working on a new album, which he teases will be released around March or April. “My next project is with a string quartet from Europe, titled Mirror. It will focus on folk music and global influences. It might be one for posterity,” Gurtu reveals, hinting he might share more details during his upcoming concert in Bengaluru next month.
While the event may appear focused on rhythm, pianist Sangeet Haldipur believes the essence of music transcends that. “In the end, music is a language. It’s all about having a conversation. Rehearsing can sometimes be more fun than performing,” he says. Gurtu agrees, adding, “Music is about sharing. I’d love to travel, just play music, and explore new sounds. Hopefully, I can do a tour in India soon. It would be exciting.”
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