SAMHEY blends the diverse musical cultures and traditions of Russia and India, composing Indian-style music for Russian folk songs.While Indian film and dance have a large following in Russia, music from the country appeals to a much smaller niche. 

One band in Russia’s cultural capital, St. Petersburg, has been incorporating India’s musical traditions into Russian folk music over the last decade and a half: Meet Samhey!

The band’s story starts in 2003, when Russian musician Denis Kucherov went to India with his friend Pravin to learn to play Indian musical instruments.