Haridas Vhatkar
He moved to Mumbai in 1994 with one aim: to make a tabla for Zakir Hussain.
Haridas Ramchandra Vhatkar is a third generation maker, following his father Kerrapa Ramchandra Vhatkar and his grandfather Ramchandra Kerrapa Vhatkar. He started building young, and after years of experiment and research he left for Mumbai to chase the one ambition that mattered to him.
He worked first for an established Mumbai instrument house, and his craftsmanship got noticed quickly. Yogesh Samsi recommended him to Abbaji, Ustad Allah Rakha, who put his drums in front of Zakir Hussain. The ambition was fulfilled, and since then Haridas has had Ustadji's guidance on every aspect of the instrument, and his recommendation to other stalwarts who went on to play these drums themselves.
Many maestros now consider him the finest tabla maker in India.
Bombay drums are built for durability and power, seasoned wood and construction that survives touring, which is the counterpart to the Kolkata makers' reputation for tone. A Haridas Vhatkar set is a working professional's instrument in the most literal sense.
We carry his work when we can get it, which is rarely and never in quantity. If the specification you want is not listed, message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly what is possible and how long it takes.
His brother Vijay Vhatkar builds in the same tradition. See also Bombay Tabla Sets and Concert Tabla Sets.
