Tal Fry, a dynamic Indian percussion ensemble led by Manohar Balatchandirane, last year performed at the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) 2025 in Sarawak, Malaysia — one of Asia’s most iconic cultural festivals.

Their participation, supported by IPRS, not only spotlighted India’s evolving rhythm language but also symbolized deeper themes of cultural preservation, soft power, and India’s growing creative global imprint. Tal Fry’s journey — from being discovered through IPRS’s Soundscapes of India to performing internationally — now stands as a blueprint for meaningful Indo-global music collaborations.

Verus Ferreira spoke to Balatchandirane to know more about the band, their tour to Malaysia last year and the future of live concerts.  

Could you tell us about the genesis of Tal Fry and the journey of the band so far?

Tal Fry came together when a bunch of musician friends realised they ought make their weekly eating ventures more productive and work on some music together. We have had a fantastic year since our debut, having performed to packed auditoriums across India and abroad. We have learnt so much about how music connects people and that real satisfaction for a musician is the shared expletive of joy with audiences. 

How would you describe your soundscape and the musical vision that drives Tal Fry?

We have a very eclectic soundscape that is purely acoustic in nature. Using instruments like the tabla, mridangam, Dholak, sitar, flute, cajon, ghatam and vocals, we bring out what we consider the best of Indian classical music with a fresh take to our audiences. Our primary vision is to dispel the notion that the Indian classical idiom is serious and daunting. Next we want to do this without any compromise with respect to what is traditional. 

This was your debut international performance. How was the overall experience, and how did it differ from performing at music festivals in India?

This was very new for us in the way our music was received. What started with a certain skepticism, ended only reaffirming our ethos that music can connect despite barriers of language, melody, rhythm and context. We have honestly never had so much fun revelling in the energy of an audience that was over 1500 people plus. 

What was the biggest takeaway for the band from the Rainforest World Music Festival?

That we have to learn a lot more about the vibrant traditions across the globe. We interacted with musicians from Columbia and it showed to us what we can add to our own presentations. Performing at the 28th Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak, Malaysia, was a landmark moment for us as an ensemble. The festival brought together artists and audiences from every continent—a melting pot of global rhythm and culture.

Tal Fry blends classical Indian percussion with modern aesthetics, from the North of India to the South.  What inspired this fusion, and what gap were you hoping to fill in India’s performance landscape? Tell us a little bit about how Tal Fry was formed. Where, when and how?

As Tal Fry, our heartbeat lies in Indian rhythm—from the intricate patterns of North Indian tabla to the earthy resonance of South Indian mridangam and ghatam. Witnessing the vast legacy of Carnatic and Hindustani percussion, we felt an urge to reimagine tradition: What would happen if we gave these time-honored forms a dialogue with today’s sound and visual culture?The Indian performance landscape has long admired classical percussion, but we noticed a creative gap:Classical percussion is often siloed—confined to traditional setups, with limited cross-regional or cross-genre experimentation.Younger Indian audiences crave experiences that connect the old with the new—immersive journeys that are as visually dynamic as they are musically intricate.

You’ve created a unique live experience rich in sound, movement, and lights. How do you develop each show creatively — is there a process or formula?

At Tal Fry, each show begins as a collaborative creative journey rooted deeply in rhythm and storytelling. Our process typically follows these steps:

Conceptualization: We start by choosing a thematic or emotional core—this could be a specific raga, a folk tale, a rhythmic concept, or a modern social idea—to guide the show’s mood and flow.

Musical Exploration: Individually and collectively, we experiment with rhythms from North and South Indian percussion traditions, layering them with folk beats and contemporary sounds. We also explore fusion possibilities with melodic instruments and vocals.

Integration of Movement and Visuals: Parallel to the music, we work closely with dancers and lighting designers to create choreography and light sequences that resonate with the rhythm and theme, making the music visually ‘visible’ and immersive.

Rehearsal and Refinement: Multiple rehearsals allow us to fine-tune synchrony between percussion, melody, movement, and light cues, ensuring a seamless and dynamic live flow.

Audience Context: We consider the venue, audience demographic, and cultural context to tailor each performance’s pacing and engagement style.

This iterative and organic process helps us craft shows that feel both deeply traditional and refreshingly contemporary—each performance a unique conversation between time-honored rhythms and modern aesthetics.

What’s the biggest challenge in sustaining an ensemble like this — is it logistics, creative direction, or simply breaking through to the right audience?

Tal Fry started not in a boardroom or at an audition, but in late-night jam sessions, chai breaks after classes, and rhythm games that blurred the lines between practice and play. We’re not only collaborators; we’re old friends who’ve celebrated birthdays, supported each other through tough times, and built trust long before stepping onto the professional stage. For us, breaking through to the right audience is the most persistent challenge. Logistics and creative obstacles can be addressed with teamwork and resourcefulness. But finding, connecting with, and sustaining a receptive, intergenerational audience—especially for Indian classical rhythm in a world dominated by pop and film music—requires constant reinvention and targeted outreach.

Which city responds better to your music? Where have you received your best audience response so far? 

We have been fortunate to be loved and celebrated whenever we've performed and it has been a truly humbling experience. But if we had to name 1 city, it has to be Delhi. This is where it all started.

Is there a larger vision behind the rhythm?  Are you building towards a label, a platform, or a cultural enterprise?

Tal Fry’s path is driven by more than just concerts or collaborations—it’s about unlocking a broader vision for rhythm, culture, and community. While we’re deeply rooted in tradition, our aspirations reach toward shaping the future of India’s rhythmic arts.

What’s next for Tal Fry in terms of performances, collaborations, or upcoming projects?

This upcoming year, we are planning to take our music to Mumbai, Bangalore and Kolkata. We are also keen on adding a lot of folk based percussion like the nagaada and naal to our set to amplify how the folk lifts the classical. 

Interviewed by Verus Ferreira