Rahul Mukerji unites global musicians including Praveen Sparsh and Pain of Salvation’s Leo Margarit.
Image captured by Shawna Adora
[GERMANTOWN, MD]: While the world was under quarantine, artist Rahul Mukerji found a creative North Star. Moving away from a solo “shred” approach to an international collaborative framework, the artist decided to unite musicians globally to serve as a vessel for diverse cultural narratives, marking the inception of his new project. Following his award-winning debut, Ma De Re Sha, Rahul Mukerji returns with MRIDHANGIT, a highly anticipated 11-track collection set for release on March 23, 2026. Acting as a sonic manifesto that translates across cultures, the album takes listeners on a journey through contrasting worlds. It moves from the dark dissonance of “Mr. Sinister” to the spirited camaraderie found in titles like “Kalli Penn” and the recently released song, “Dushtan.”
The title, MRIDHANGIT, is a linguistic fusion of Mridangam (a double-headed percussion instrument core to Carnatic music), Handpan (a melodic steel drum), and Guitar, reflecting the core purpose of the project: collaboration. These three instruments embody the blend of style and influences. During the cross-continental synergy, Mukerji also discovered that the collection of minds is stronger than one, transcending the forced isolation of the pandemic era. MRIDHANGIT stands as a testament of collaboration created in an uncertain environment and provides listeners with a rich and engaging musical journey.
“Each of [the musicians] has been able to provide their own voice and their own emotional interpretation of the song, based on the time we were all living through,” Mukerji expressed as he reflected on the creative process of the album.
Mridhangit Album Cover by Proviscocity Studios
MRIDHANGIT explores a unique composition style engineered to spark non-traditional creativity and improvisation, allowing each musician to express unfettered creative autonomy and let their personal heritage dictate the track’s emotional arc. Some reputable musicians include Praveen Sparsh, prominent South Indian mridangam artist, Leo Margarit, Sweden-based drummer for Pain of Salvation, Ruben Rubio, versatile Spanish bassist, and Chaplin, South African pianist known for evocative tonal moods. Other musicians featured on this project include a Duduk player from Turkey, a clarinetist from France, and a violinist from Sri Lanka alongside talented local instrumentalists.
The project serves as the evolution of the award-winning Ma De Re Sha, Mukerji’s debut album, featuring more intricate arrangements and a layered musical palette. Former Iritis bandmate Bruce Ng also returned to this project as the co-producer to help shape MRIDHANGIT’s creative direction. Together, they honor the album’s global influences while showcasing the collaborative and improvisational spirit. Brett Caldas-Lima took part as a mixing and mastering engineer to ensure a high-fidelity sound.
Credits
General
Produced by: Bruce Ng & Rahul Mukerji
Mixed & Mastered by: Brett Caldas-Lima at Tower Studio
Album Artwork, Concept & Layout: Proviscocity Studios
All Guitars: Rahul Mukerji
All Drums: Leo Margarit
Credits per track
Mr. Sinister
Fretless Bass: Ruben Rubio
Keyboards & Tabla Programming: Rahul Mukerji
Bheja Fry
Bass: Rafael Freitas
Tabla Programming: Rahul Mukerji
Twelve Ganeshas
Bass: Ruben Rubio
Mridangam: Praveen Sparsh
Enjoymaddi
Upright Bass: Maciej S
Piano: Chaplin
Mridhangit
Bass: Ruben Rubio
Konnakol (Carnatic spoken rhythms): Praveen Sparsh
Mridangam: Praveen Sparsh
Flute: Rahul Krishnan
Tablas: Rahul Krishnan
Kalli Penn
Bass: Ruben Rubio
Keys: Chaplin
Percussion: Alejo Perezcuba
Funky Pakora
Clarinet: Dylan
Bass: Rafael Freitas
Keys: Emi Romero
Dushtan
Bass: Ruben Rubio
Keys: Chaplin
Percussion Programming: Rahul Mukerji
Violin: Thisara Bandara
Rahu Ketu
Bass: Ruben Rubio
Percussion Programming: Rahul Mukerji
Four Seas
Bass: Ruben Rubio
Piano: Chaplin
Mridangam: Praveen Sparsh
Mutabor
Duduk: Erkan Erginci
Tabla programming: Rahul Mukerji
About Rahul Mukerji
Rahul Mukerji is a multi-disciplinary musician, composer, and visual artist whose creations bridge fusion, rock, jazz, and cinematic sound design into a signature style that is technically rigorous while still being emotionally immersive. Born in India and active for more than two decades, Mukerji has developed a variety of work that moves between high-energy performance and narrative-driven composition. Since his debut album in 2017, Mukerji has gained recognition through notable performances, including The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2020, spotlighted in Vintage Guitar Magazine in 2021, and been nominated for his work at the Washington Area Music Awards in 2022. Whether delivering dynamic guitar-forward performances, composing cinematic music, or shaping audio-visual narratives, Rahul Mukerji continues to explore the expansive possibilities of modern world fusion.
Connect with Rahul Mukerji:
Website: https://www.mukerji.us/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rahul__mukerji/