Sharda Sahai is a direct descendant of Ram Sahai, who flourished in the mid-nineteenth century and who is thought to have learned from Modhu Khan of Lucknow. Modhu Khan migrated to Lucknow around 1830 from the princely court of Jhajjar, just west of Delhi. Modhu Khan and his brother Zahid Khan are associated with the Kothiwal lineage (see Akbar Hussain "Ballu" Khan). Sharda Sahai is arguably better known outside of India where he has taught at institutions all over the world and has held innumerable workshops. Frances Shepherd wrote a doctoral dissertation (Wesleyan, 1976) about the Benares tabla gharana from the perspective of Sharda Sahai. Of his many students, Bob Becker and Shawn Mativetsky have excelled. This clip is an extended set of uthans from a live performance in Ahmedabad (year unknown).

More information on Sharda Sahai, with audio.