MUMBAI: Santoor is a delicate musical instrument that has been associated in the film industry only with Pandit Shiv Kumar Sharma who had for a brief period formed the Shiv-Hari group of composers with eminent flautist Hari Prasad Chaurasia and made some catchy semi-classical songs in the late eighties and early nineties.

But 'Santoor - The Instrumental Band’ featuring two musicians Rohan Krishan Ratan and Sachi Khatry are out to prove their versatility in using this instrument for even light music.

They are introducing a new version of an instrumental band that is unique because it depicts the instrument in new outward appearance. This band performs songs on santoor, which has seldom happened. And one of the two – Sachi – is a woman, although only men like most Pandit Bhajan Sopori and his son Abhay Sopori of Delhi.

Over time, Rohan and Sachi have emerged among the hot favourites for performing live at concerts and stage shows with packed shows in major metros across India and around the globe.

Rohan and Sachi’s father Prakash Khatry are tabla exponents. Being very adept in playing gayakis, Rohan is popular amongst the playback circuit in the television and film industry for rendering background tracks, as well as playing soul rendering fine songs to enthral the audiences. In addition, Rohan is an A grade artist of CMA and a B high-grade artist of AIR and Doordarshan.

Sachi and Rohan’s last album ‘String Sutra - A Return To Melody’, a compilation of old classics was released in 2014 under Saregama HMV. The featured songs were ‘Jaadu Hai Nasha’, ‘Pehla Nasha’, ‘Lag Ja Gale Ke Phir’, ‘Mohabbat Ho Na Jaye’, ‘Aajkal Tere Mere Pyar Ke’, Y’eh Raat Bheegi Bheegi’, ‘Zara Haule Haule Chalo’, ‘O Mere Sona Re’, ‘Mere Sapnon Ki Rani’, ‘Roop Tera Mastana’, ‘Jaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge’, and ‘Pehla Nasha’ (Remix).

Watch this live performance by Rohan Ratan and Sachi