Artist Profile

Swarupa Ananth-Sawkar is a bold and trailblazing Indian percussionist, music producer, and entrepreneur, celebrated as one of Forbes India’s 30 under 30. Mentored by the legendary Ustad Allarakha and Ustad Zakir Hussain, Swarupa’s journey as a prolific performer began at an early age.

Her debut album, Raagatronic (2014), co-created with Shriram Sampath, soared to #1 on the iTunes India charts, marking her as a pioneer in blending Indian classical and electronic sounds. Since then, Swarupa has collaborated with an array of national and international luminaries, sharing stages with icons such as A.R. Rahman, Salim-Sulaiman, and Ranjit Barot. Her dynamic performances have graced world-renowned festivals and venues, including Glastonbury Festival (UK), Kala Ghoda Festival (Mumbai), Alchemy Festival (London), NMACC (Mumbai), Morgenland Festival (Germany), Wassermusik Festival (Berlin), and Festival Imaterial (Portugal).

In addition to her performances, Swarupa has shaped the music landscape as an entrepreneur, serving as A&R Manager for EMI Music India. She founded Tablanaari’s School of Music (TSOM), an online platform dedicated to promoting Indian classical, folk, and light music.

In 2022, Swarupa was selected as one of 21 global artists for the prestigious OneBeat 9 residency program at the Atlantic Center for Arts in Florida, fully supported by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. That same year, she released her debut solo album, Recomeçar, earning acclaim for its evocative compositions. 

In 2023, Swarupa teamed up with Anatolian Kamancha player Melisa Yildirim to release Hues of Imagination, a genre-defying exploration of improvised, spontaneous music. The duo have been touring Europe and the UK, showcasing their shared passion for musical innovation.

Performing globally under the moniker Tablanaari, Swarupa continues to push creative boundaries with her solo and collaborative concerts. Her groundbreaking work as the founder of Women Who Drum - India’s first all-women percussion community - fosters collaboration, empowerment, and innovation, making her an influential force in the global music scene.