Nadayana: the journey and world of a handpan player

Have you heard one of Nadayana’s handpan compositions recently? Are you wondering where this artist comes from and what his musical journey has been like? What is the style of this percussionist who skilfully blends the Hang drum and the Thai gong?

I discovered Nadayana in 2020 by chance while listening to one of his performances on YouTube, and I was quickly won over by the subtle melodies he creates with his flying-saucer-shaped instrument. I did some research, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned about his biography and discography.

By reading this article, you will learn about:

• How Nadayana discovered the handpan
• The two albums produced by this Romanian percussionist
• The various musical projects he has participated in

In this way, you’ll undoubtedly learn some fascinating facts about this artist and gain a deeper understanding of his vision of music and the handpan, which he strives to share with listeners through each of his compositions.

Now, let’s take a closer look at Nadayana’s journey.

How did Nadayana get started with the handpan?

Nadayana, whose real name is Adrian Portaru, is a Romanian musician now celebrated in handpan circles around the world. His stage name, inspired by Sanskrit, reflects his philosophy: nadam means “inner sound” (the sacred Aum used in meditation), and yana means “path.” Nadayana describes his project as “an invitation to rediscover the music within, beyond what we hear with our physical ears, a mirror reflecting a more authentic version of ourselves.” Passionate about melodic percussion, he discovered the handpan in 2010 and began an artistic journey focused on music therapy and sound meditation. In January 2016, Nadayana launched his YouTube channel dedicated to playing this instrument, which propelled him onto the international scene thanks to his striking online presence and unforgettable live performances. To date, he has over 40,000 subscribers and videos with several million views.

His career is guided by a search for authenticity: for him, every note played is a way to express the soul. The handpan, a saucer-shaped metal instrument also known as pantam or Hang drum, is at the centre of his musical universe, along with the Thai gong, a large metal disc that he strikes with a mallet. With these one-of-a-kind sound sources, Nadayana guides listeners through a sonic journey filled with gentle, subtle emotion. He describes his art as “an authentic expression that translates the voice of the handpan and gong into a regenerating sound, the result of a deep connection between the artist and the sound.”

As mentioned above, Nadayana’s career took off in 2016, particularly with the release of the track “Towards the Light” on YouTube on 12 July of that year. The track quickly reached 1 million views, marking the first time many listeners heard this blend of handpan and Thai gong. You can watch this performance in the video below:

Shortly thereafter, while on tour to promote his first album, Nadayana released a second video entitled “With You.” It went viral, accumulating more than 2 million views on YouTube shortly after it was posted online. Later, other videos, such as “Soulstice Breeze,” “Golden Castle in the Sky,” and “Luna,” also reached a similar level of visibility, further growing the artist’s subscriber count. This rise in popularity led to Nadayana being invited to numerous festivals, as well as participating in various handpan concerts. His concerts are described as true inner journeys, where the audience is immersed in a meditative soundscape. The artist does not hesitate to improvise on stage, making each performance a one-of-a-kind moment.

What is the discography of this percussionist specialising in the Hang drum?

At the time of writing, Nadayana has two albums to his credit. They are listed below:

• Nine : This is Nadayana’s first album, recorded in just one month. Released on 9 May 2016, the album features some of the standout tracks I mentioned earlier, such as “Towards the Light” and “With You,” which have greatly contributed to the artist’s popularity. The cover art shows a spiral staircase forming the number nine, which many fans see as a symbolic nod to both the recording process and the immersive sound journey offered to listeners.
• One : Nadayana’s second album, One, is a two-disc release running about 75 minutes that follows spiritually from the first. The album unfolds as “an album of discovery, of encountering new horizons in the vast realms of the mind,” sending “true sound letters to infinity,” according to the artist’s description. Through tracks such as “The Cosmic Heart” and “Inward Spring,” Nadayana invites the listener on a journey of inner transformation, with a palpable thirst for transcendence throughout the tracklist.

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In parallel with these albums, Nadayana also frequently releases single tracks or improvisational sessions on his YouTube channel. Examples include “Sunday Movie,” an improvised session recorded on a Sunday in 2016, and “The Sunset Fragrance,” a 29-minute piece performed in one take during a forest sunset in 2025.

What other musical projects has this percussionist been involved in?

Beyond his album and YouTube performances, Nadayana also brings his talent to the stage. In 2018 he collaborated with Romanian director Răzvan Mazilu on the theatrical adaptation of “The Jungle Book” by Rudyard Kipling. This production put Nadayana at the centre of the music, as he played live on stage with his handpan(s). The show was sold out for months after its premiere, and critics praised the originality of this living soundtrack accompanying the adventures of Mowgli and his jungle friends.

In another creative realm, Nadayana has also collaborated in the world of cinema. He composed the music for the film “The Boatman” by American director Gregg Morgan. For his work on this film, he received a nomination at the Idyllwild International Film Festival in California in the category of Best Film Music. His contribution was praised for the way he translated the poetic wanderings of the character in The Boatman into music, adding a spiritual dimension to the film’s narrative.

A fervent advocate of music’s transformative power, Nadayana is also committed to sharing his art and philosophy with as many people as possible. Convinced that the handpan is as much a tool for personal growth as it is a musical instrument, he offers lessons and workshops designed to share his expertise. His online programme called RISE (Rhythmic Inspiration & Silence Echoes) is a great example: it is a 10-session individual course designed to inspire students to go beyond technique, encouraging them to express their emotions through the instrument. Nadayana distils the mindset and methods behind his approach to composition and improvisation, inviting each participant to forge their own artistic path. To learn more, you’ll need to schedule a 15-minute appointment with the artist. Unlike Master the Handpan, access is not immediate, which may deter some.

In a different style, Nadayana also offers workshops and courses dedicated to the handpan, which he organises from time to time or on request. These courses and workshops often take place in the heart of nature, particularly in the mountains of Romania, but also in Bali, where participants alternate between sound journeys and cultural exploration.

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In just a few years, Nadayana has established himself as an iconic figure in contemporary handpan music, combining musical virtuosity with spiritual depth. His career, marked by sonic innovation, internet success, and artistic collaborations, illustrates the richness of an approach centred on authenticity.

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For a more exotic sound, I recommend taking a closer look at the career of Takao Minemoto, a Japanese handpan player who specialises in composing pieces dedicated to well-being. As a result, he is part of the exclusive circle of the best handpan players on the planet.