Chintan Kalra brings the endless ukulele to Bengaluru

New Delhi musician Chintan Kalra has more than a passing acquaintance with around 20 instruments. “To me, an instrument is a form of expression. It is a superpower,” he says.

He speaks in terms of wanting to “tame every instrument” he came across, but when he picked up the unassuming, four-stringed ukulele in 2016, he considered it no more than a “baby instrument” in a world of “serious” ones. The ukulele has the reputation of being a staple at campfire jams and sometimes, the weapon of choice for that one amateur player who wants four strings and easy chords to strum. “I never knew what lay behind its simplicity,” Chintan says.

It began when a friend left an ukulele at his home, with an album recommendation of The Art of Solo Ukulele released in 2000 which featured Hawaiian artistes Benny Chong, Gordon Mark, Jake Shimabukuro and Byron Yasui. “They sounded symphonic and I could not understand why. I wondered how one could do this on four strings,” Chintan recalls.

Known for his work with bands ranging from rock veterans Parikrama to experimental act Kuru Circus to leading Think Floyd, Chintan went on to create two albums on the ukulele. Endless Strum and Endless Strum II came out in 2022 and 2025, respectively, as ukulele meditations that can put any listener in to a tranquil state.

The first album featured 40-50 song ideas that flowed out of Chintan over a span of six years, while the second saw the addition of a hand drum and a few rhythmic elements.

Chintan Kalra
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Now, there is a third album in the works, which expands the sonic range to add percussion and string sections. Ahead of that album, Chintan is visiting Bengaluru for two shows and a workshop as part of his Ukulelisten series.

On March 13, he will perform at ArtKhoj in JP Nagar, followed by a ukulele workshop at Rainbow Bridge in Halasuru the next day. On March 15, Chintan performs at Bangalore Creative Circus. “My first gigs were in 2018 and 2019, and then, the pandemic hit. I produced so much music in that period of time, I now have two to three hours of material that I pick and choose from. They are all improvisational as well,” Chintan says.

He will most likely be joined by local instrumentalists on percussion and guitars in Bengaluru.

While there are plenty of stories behind the songs and his journey with the ukulele that will he share at these shows, the intent of the workshop is to demystify it.

“I am holding these workshops because I want to share my excitement over this simple instrument. Anybody can pick it up, and you never know where it is going to take you,” he says. Often been looked at as a toy synonymous with a chirpy sound, it led Chintan to wonder how a sad song would sound on the ukulele. He says, “This is one more threshold I had to cross. I can make you cry on the ukulele.”

He points to how the ukulele has a “classical connection” as well, considering most Indian film songs which are sometimes based on Indian classical foundations are easily adapted to this instrument. “Suddenly, it stops being a foreign instrument and becomes your own instrument,” Chintan adds.

Chintan Kalra
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The artiste’s tour comes to Bengaluru after a short run of shows and a workshop in Chennai in December. “Bengaluru has always been kind to musicians, music and expressions,” Chintan says. In addition to the next album, he says he is keen to continue educating people about the wonders of the ukulele.

“I always enjoy doing a workshop with concerts to introduce people to the instrument. I am keen to take this music to schools, colleges and healing workshops. It is quite meditative,” he adds.

Chintan Kalra’s Ukulelisten takes place on March 13 at ArtKhoj, JP Nagar and on March 15 at Bangalore Creative Circus. The workshop is on March 14 at Rainbow Bridge. Details on linktr.ee/opalart