Music for Peace: Cassius Khan & Amika Kushwaha, Tabla and Ghazal

On Saturday, August 8, 2026, the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga welcomes Cassius Khan and Amika Kushwaha for special concert in the Music for Peace series.

Cassius Khan is a Canadian musician of Indian heritage who has developed a rare and distinctive musical voice- performing tabla while simultaneously singing ghazal, a poetic and deeply expressive form of classical music from India. His ability to combine the intricate rhythmic language of tabla and emotional depth of ghazal singing has eaned him international recognition and made him a unique figure in the world of Indian classical music.

Cassius has performed widely across North America, Europe, and India. Early in his career he was selected by BBC Radio 2 as one of the “Top 25 World Artists to Watch.” He has appeared at major festivals and stages including the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, South by Southwest in Austin, Canadian Music Week, and the Sa Ma Pa Music Festival in New Delhi.

His album Mushtari, a tribute to his teacher Mushtari Begum, was nominated for World Album of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards. The recording is notable for presenting ghazal singing and tabla performance simultaneously by a single artist.

Joining him is Amika Kushwaha, an accomplished harmonium soloist and Kathak artist whose sensitive and expressive playing brings depth and resonance to the ghazal tradition. Together, Khan and Kushwaha create a powerful musical dialogue where rhythm, poetry, and melody unfold in spontaneous interplay.

Cassius Khan has also collaborated with a wide range of musicians across traditions, including Pandit Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Pandit Salil Bhatt, jazz pianist Stu Goldberg of the Mahavishnu Orchestra, and blues legend Ellen McIlwaine.

This intimate concert offers audiences an opportunity to experience the richness of ghazal poetry, tabla rhythm, and harmonium accompaniment in a setting designed for deep listening.

The Music for Peace series brings musicians from diverse traditions to the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga, creating spaces where music becomes a bridge between cultures and a shared experience of presence and listening.

Join us for an evening where music becomes a bridge between cultures, traditions, and the shared human experience of listening deeply.

📅 Saturday, August 8, 2026

⏰ Doors open at 6:30, Concert begins at 7:00 pm

📍 Pond Dome, Salt Spring Centre of Yoga

🎟️ Tickets $40. This is a ticketed fundraiser, and guests are welcome to contribute more if they are able. Proceeds directly support the artist and help sustain the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga’s programs in music, yoga and contemplative arts | Limited seating

The Artists

Cassius Khan

Cassius Khan is a Canadian Indian classical musician known internationally for his rare ability to perform tabla while singing ghazal. His work bridges the worlds of Indian classical music, poetry, and cross-cultural collaboration.

He has performed at major festivals and venues across North America and internationally, including the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, South by Southwest in Austin, and the Sa Ma Pa Music Festival in New Delhi. His album Mushtari was nominated for World Album of the Year at the Western Canadian Music Awards.

Cassius continues to explore new musical dialogues through collaborations with artists from Indian classical, jazz, blues, and global traditions.

Amika Kushwaha

Amika Kushwaha is a harmonium soloist and Kathak artist whose musical sensitivity and rhythmic awareness bring depth and nuance to the ghazal tradition. Her performances blend classical training with expressive accompaniment, creating a rich musical partnership with vocalist and tabla player Cassius Khan.

Why This Concert Is Special

•  Accessible for first-time listeners — no background in Indian classical music required
•  Music that aligns with meditation, consciousness, and inner listening
•  A fundraiser supporting the Salt Spring Centre of Yoga’s mission and programs

This is not a concert you simply attend it is an experience you enter.

Tickets & Support

Advance registration is strongly recommended.

By attending, you are supporting the Centre’s dedication to preserving contemplative arts, sacred music, and spaces that nourish inner life.