Tabla classes at Chinmaya Kala Jyoti
Tabla classes have been offered to CMSD members since 2013 and students have been attending classes regularly and enthusiastically.
The teaching method and class structure follows Bala Vihar standards. In their first year, students begin with basic tabla bhols and phrases. Exercises to train the tabla player in speed, precision, agility, and strength of all of the fingers are taught. They then progress on playing several compositions – kaida and tukra gradually increasing in complexity. Students are encouraged to compose their own variations. Students also will learn to play tabla for bhajans and devotional songs. They will present what they have learnt, each year, in the annual day event at CMSD
About the teacher: Amarnath Puttur
Guidelines for tabla class enrollment
1. The duration of each group session is 1 hour.
2. All students are requested to bring their own tabla, a notebook (letter size) and a pen/pencil.
3. Minimum age required to enroll is 8 years.
4. Maximum of 8 students in a group class. If we have more students, a second group will be formed.
5. Only beginner and intermediate, group lessons, are offered at this time.
6. The fee is $25/class.
7. Fees are payable (to the teacher) for the entire month before the first class. It is non-refundable and non-transferable.
8. Students are requested to arrive 5 minutes before the class start time.
9. All students are expected to attend the weekly class regularly. Should there be an unavoidable absence, please report absences using the portal.
10. No make-up class in the event of the student having missed the class. Please coordinate with fellow students and get the lesson.
11. In the event of the teacher not able to take a class, make-up class will be offered at a time convenient to both the teacher and students.
12. Parents are kindly requested to wait outside the classroom.
13. Chinmaya Jyoti ashram etiquette must be followed by all.
14. Tabla class homework will be posted on the Chinmaya Jyoti portal. Homework submissions by students are also made through the portal.
About Indian Music:
Indian classical music is one of the most sophisticated and oldest systems of music in the world.
The two essential components of Indian music are raaga and taala. Rāga is the melodic element and taala is the rhythmic element. These aspects of Indian music are performed in two remarkably different styles coming from North India, known as Hindustani and from South India, known as Carnatic.
About Indian Musical Instruments:
Indian musical instruments are grouped under five categories:
tat vādya (तत्) (string instrument),
ghana vādya (घन) (metal instrument: cymbals/bells),
suśir vādya (सुशिर्) (wind instrument: flute),
ānaddha vādya (आनद्ध) (hand percussion: tabla) and
avanaddha vādya (अवनद्ध) (stick percussion: tavil).
Introduction to Tabla:
Tabla is the most popular North Indian hand percussion instrument. It is very versatile and used not only in accompaniment to vocal, instrumental music and dance, but also as a solo instrument.
The tabla rhythmic patterns can be defined by using mnemonic syllables called bhol. What we play can be written down, spoken and remembered using these syllables.
Tabla has two drums – the left drum, which is the bigger bass drum is called bāyan or dugga; the smaller treble drum is called the dāyan or by itself as tabla.
In Indian music, laya means tempo or speed; mātra is the beat interval; vibhāg, the measure or segment of a rhythm cycle and āvartan is the name given to a complete rhythm cycle. The first beat of any rhythm cycle is called Sum. This is always a downbeat.