About Us – Taali Khali

About us

Taali Khali (Arabic: تالي خالي) (Hindi: ताली खाली) is simply yet profoundly defined as sound (Taali) and silence (Khali).

These two fundamental musical ingredients, derived from Arabic and Hindi terminology, yet represented phonetically in order to respectfully welcome musical cultures from around the world, is the quintessence of this ensemble.

Hailed as “a sound you haven’t heard before…the warmth of a sunrise over the cold expanse of the universe” (24/7 Valencia, the English Speaking Connection), Taali Khali presents original compositions and traditional repertoire from India and the Middle East, with influences from Spain and the African diaspora.

A unique and diverse instrumentation, the ensemble features the Tabla and percussion maestro from India, Chaitanya Natu , Syrian Qanoun virtuoso Omran Adrah.

Welcomed are all listeners, as sonic travelers, on this journey throughout these assorted and beautiful cultures through the epic rhythms, perplexing harmonies, and soothing melodies of Taali Khali.

Omran Adrah

Qanoun

Omran Adrah is a Qanoun player/composer from Damascus (Syria). He is a graduate from the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus and has a master’s degree in Contemporary Performance and Production from Berklee College of Music in Spain.

Although he is deeply rooted in Arabic and Turkish music, Omran’s unique style is based on many different traditions, such as flamenco, Latin jazz, and classical music.

His enchanting music takes the listener on an exciting journey towards a crossroads where East and West intersect in beautiful and surprising ways, with an intention to convey self-reflection and spiritual enhancement through his music.

Omran has performed with other world-renowned orchestras such as Prague Orchestra, Armenian Orchestra, and Syrian National Symphony. He Continues his career in Spain by performing a series of concerts at different musical venues in Spain and presenting his music through many projects that he’s working on, in addition to collaborating with other groups such as Ataxía “greek folklore” and Ensemble Alfonsi “medieval music” as well as other artists.

In 2017 he won the third prize in the international festival of ethnic culture in Astana (Kazakhstan) for his performance of Kazakh folk music.

Chaitanya Natu

Tabla / Percussion

Chaitanya Natu is a versatile percussionist and composer from India, blending the intricate rhythms of Indian classical music with contemporary styles. Starting tabla at age six, he developed his unique style rooted in the taal system and Indian ragas while incorporating Western instrumentation.

Chaitanya holds a Master of Music in Contemporary Performance and Production from Berklee College of Music, a Master of Music in Tabla, and a Master’s in Digital Marketing. He has performed at major festivals in India, participated in a Guinness World Record event, and won the Best Live Scoring Award at the 2024 Almagro International Film Festival.

Internationally, Chaitanya has collaborated across genres, including Indo-Flamenco Jazz, Sufi-Electronic, and Middle Eastern music, performing with artists like Kanishk Seth and Mateo Falgas. He is part of the genre-diverse bands Taali-Khali and Umpah! in Spain.

A passionate educator, Chaitanya teaches Indian rhythm worldwide and integrates his technical expertise into music production and creative projects. Now based in Spain, he continues to push musical boundaries while honoring his classical roots.

Kris Ramakrishna

Kris Ramakrishna is a Swiss/Indian guitarist, composer/arranger, and educator based in Valencia, Spain. Beginning lessons on the guitar at the early age of 5, his unique and sought-after sound is in direct correlation with his diverse ancestry, taking influences from European and Indian classical, Jazz/Blues, as well as incorporating musical vocabulary from his studies with legendary Palestinian composer and Oud player Simon Shaheen, and disciple of Paco de Lucia, flamenco guitarist Ruben Diaz.

Between the ages of 16 and 17, Ramakrishna, in affiliation with the Berklee Clinics at Umbria Jazz, was given the opportunity with students from around the world to perform at the Umbria Jazz Festival ’13 and ’14, one of the largest Jazz festivals in Europe. After meeting Paco de Lucia in 2012, Kris pursued a more in depth understanding of Flamenco harmony, resulting in the bestowment of the final composition grant by the Contemporary Flamenco Guitar Studio in Malaga, Spain.

Holding a bachelors in Jazz composition and arranging from Berklee College of Music, as well as a Masters in contemporary performance and production from Berklee Valencia, Kris has performed internationally, as a soloist, and with various ensembles. Kris Ramakrishna aims to celebrate the differences and similarities between these musical dialects in order to establish a unity between these incredible cultures.