The paradox of North Indian classical music is that it is both meditative and exciting: its typically long, slow opening passages prepare listener and performer alike for the hyperspeed improvisations that almost invariably follow. It’s a beautiful balance, but when sitarist Niladri Kumar and tabla player Aditya Kalyanpur come to town, fire might have the upper hand. Both have apprenticed with Zakir Hussain, and share his penchant for hybrid forms; Kalyanpur has even performed with the Rolling Stones and Katy Perry. When the two play the Rio Theatre on Saturday (May 23), they’ll be working in a traditional format, but fuelling it with contemporary flair.