Our Story
The Tabla Virtuoso Bringing the Soul of Rajasthan to the Heart of France
Mosin Kawa is a distinguished tabla virtuoso and a prominent figure in the Indian music
scene in France. Born on May 3, 1992, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, he hails from a lineage
where music has been a cherished tradition for seven generations. His great-greatgrandfather, Ustad Bashir Khan Shab, was a revered musician in the village of Gokulpura,
Rajasthan. Over time, the family relocated to Jaipur, where they became esteemed musicians
at the court of the Maharajas.
Mosin's musical journey began at the tender age of three under the tutelage of his father,
Ustad Shabbir Ahmed. He further honed his skills by learning from other maestros such as
Ustad Munshi Ahmed, Ustad Hidayat Khan, and Ustad Yusuf Khan. By eight, he was already
performing at the Saptak Festival in Ahmedabad with a qawwali group. At 18, he moved to
Paris with his elder brother, Shahid Hussain Kawa, a renowned santoor player, to introduce
the rich musical heritage of Rajasthan to Europe.
In France, Mosin has collaborated with a diverse array of artists across various genres. He has
worked with jazz pianist André Manoukian, renowned for blending Armenian and Indian
musical traditions , and has been part of the Kawa Trio, which showcases the fusion of tabla,
santoor, and sarangi, representing the musical tapestry of Rajasthan . His performances often
transcend traditional boundaries, embracing improvisation and cross-cultural collaborations.
One notable project is his partnership with violinist Perrine Bourel, where they explore the
intersection of Indian and French musical traditions. Their collaboration, known as the
Khusal Trio, brings together the sounds of Rajasthan's desert with the Alpine mountains of
France, creating a unique musical dialogue.
Mosin Kawa's contributions to the world of music are a testament to his dedication to
preserving and evolving the rich musical heritage of Rajasthan. Through his performances
and collaborations, he continues to bridge cultural divides, bringing the soul of Indian music
to audiences worldwide.
