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Instrument: Tabla

Created by an accident from a broken Mridangam, Tabla is the most versatile and used instrument in Indian music scene.

All Sessions

English / Hindi

4 Students Per Batch

Description

The tabla is the percussion instrument most commonly used in north Indian classical music.

The instrument consists of two drums, called bayan (left) and dayan (right) as per the hand they are most commonly played with. The drums consist of a layer of goatskin stretched over a metal or clay vessel. The left and right vessels are shaped differently, with the right being narrow and more cylindrical.

Legend has it that the legendary 13th century musician and Sufi mystic Amir Khusrow broke a mridanga/pakhawaj in half and exclaimed “Toda tab bhi bola!’ (It broke but still spoke!). It is a fun story to hear, but there are no works of Khusrow’s to support this claim.

The tabla is used as both a solo and an accompanying instrument. It is commonly used as an accompaniment for khayal and thumri music. There are many styles of playing the Tabla. They are called gharanas, and there are six major ones- named after the places where they originated. These are Delhi, Lucknow, Farrukhabad, Benares, Ajrara and Punjab. The gharanas differ in the technique used to play and repertoires.

About The Instructor

Having learnt from Ustad Alla Rakha Qureshi’s institute from a very early age, Jayesh Dhargalkar has been performing professionally from last 27 years and has accompanied many industry legends. He also trained with Mr. Uday Mopkar for Tabla on light music.

Jayesh has been a part of The Brown Indian band, known for influencing Indian classical music with Jazz, being a part of Jazz Festival of Russia. He has travelled across the globe and performed at the prestigious venues like The Shakespeare’s Globe with Mr. Sunil Shanbagh.

Being an integral part of Ekam Satt, Jayesh has travelled across India to perform for Indian Army and Navy with Ekam Satt – Mission for Nation Initiative for more than 50 concerts at 29 various frontline locations.

What is my level of proficiency

The batches at Ekam Satt Academy are divided as per the proficiency of each student. For your own assessment, you can go through following guidelines:

Beginner

Have not learnt Tabla before or have a very little experience with the instrument.

Intermediate

Have correct hand and figure technique with correct sitting position
Have correct tuning technique
Can play at least in following Taals:
- Teen Taal
- Kerva
- Dadara
- Rupak
- Zaptaal
- Ek Taal

Advance

Fulfill all requirement of intermediate level
Free flowing hand technique
Can play at higher BPMs
Can play following in at least in one Taal (in Teen Taal at least):
- Peshkar
- Kayda
- Tukde
- Rela