Syncretic System

Syncretic System is an innovative music project born from the collaboration between tabla player Imran Khan from New Delhi (IND) and drummer Otto de Jong from Utrecht (NL). They fuse classical North-Indian rhythms and traditions from the Delhi Gharana with both contemporary and other global rhythms, all blended together with the sonic aesthetics from the West. In their performances synchronized rhythmic compositions alternate with free improvisations and energetic jams.

As versatile as they are, the duo loves to perform their project with varying musicians per tour or event. This brings fresh energy and ideas to the music and makes every performance a unique experience.

Imran and Otto were introduced by a mutual friend, Heiko Dijker, and met for the first time at Connaught Place, New Delhi in 2018. Since then Otto has been studying tabla with Imran and invited Imran to join his other Dutch-Indian collaboration Jaipur Junction in 2020 to perform in New Delhi. Later, in 2022, Imran joined in the studio for the recording of the record Sambhav. On that record Imran and Otto recorded their first Jugalbandi called New Delhi Railway Station. The first steps for a new project were taken...

Their first concert as a new duo with additional musician Erwin Tuijl on synthesizers was during U? Festival in Utrecht, part of the legendary Le Guess Who? Festival, in November 2025. Concerts at The Pianoman in New Delhi with additional musician Vikramaditya Negi followed soon after in January 2026. In May 2026 they recorded their first studio work as Syncretic System, the compositions Teentaal Transit and The Silent Sam. Again with Erwin Tuijl on synthesizers. In December 2026 they'll be performing in India (Gurgaon, Delhi en Pune) again with Vikramaditya Negi on guitar.