Indian Classical Music
Meets Beethoven

Tabla player Vineet Vyas reveals his
“fingers of fire”

From the dusty, sweltering heat of New Delhi, to the crisp, snow-bound highways of Toronto, filmmaker Rama Rau follows renowned Indo-Canadian tabla player Vineet Vyas from Canada to India as he journeys to international fame. Fingers of Fire features compelling interviews, on-the-fly footage and riveting performances, ultimately showcasing the sheer magic of the music.

Raised in Truro, Nova Scotia, but now based in Toronto and New Delhi, Vineet Vyas is one of Canada’s rising musical talents. Says Vineet, “Just as much as I am Indian, I am Canadian, and I think I am lucky to be in that interesting position where, being a musician, I have two worlds to draw from.”

Vineet’s passion and perfection of the tabla – an Indian drum (similar to the African bongo) that is considered the “drum of the gods” – began at age five with his introduction to Hindustani classical music.  A disciple of the legendary tabla maestro Pandit Kishan Maharaj since age 16, Vineet has performed alongside India’s eminent classical artists and is a much sought after performer in India, Europe and North America. In 2005 he released a CD, Taalworks, a dynamic recording featuring North Indian tabla solo compositions with intriguing melodic textures, including Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and Saint Saens’ Flight of the Swan.

Fingers of Fire examines Vineet’s turbulent and intense relationship with his guru, the clash between the spirituality of his music and his inner need for validation and balancing his life and career as he seeks artistic perfection and recognition in his two home countries. Music from his CD is featured in this documentary.