About
Tantu Nada is an acoustic world/fusion duo based in South Africa, featuring Dave Starke on guitar and vocals and Nish Pillay (Nishalin Pillay) on tabla and percussion. The name beautifully captures their essence: translating loosely from Sanskrit, "Tantu" means string or cord, and "Nada" means sound or resonance. Together, they create a brilliant "East-meets-West" eclectic blend that threads together acoustic folk, world music, jazz, and contemporary melodies with the traditional rhythms of the Indian subcontinent. Their musical partnership kicked off in 2017 following some individual and national exposure—Dave had just appeared on the first season of The Voice South Africa, and Nish had been a contestant on SA’s Got Talent. After a chance meeting at a shared gig, an impromptu jam session sparked an immediate creative chemistry. Their repertoire spans everything from heartfelt original folk and jazz-infused numbers to unique, cross-cultural interpretatations of classic covers.
Past events & performances
1. Cafe Roux, Cape Town (2026) 2. Hilton Arts Festival (2025) 3. Zimbali (Corporate Function) (2022)
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