The beginner course on the musical instrument Tabla will be taught over the span of 16 weeks. Your instructor for this course, Shailendra Mishra will be teaching enrolling beginner students, the various seating postures and body language of music while playing this Indian classical instrument. He will also break down the basic notes of music, the different syllables you will need to know before proceeding to play the instruments, rudiments, and playing exercises. Students will pick up the literature behind the musical instrument Tabla (different phrases, syllables, alphabets, etc) and stories related to it.

The literature of Tabla and sound to be taught by the instructor will be backed with proper guidance on the practical teaching of hand placements. This will also include movement exercise while the instructor will be teaching the students, the basic group of syllables (bols) that are needed to recite different phrases and short composition and to play them on the Tabla. Learners will also pick up the concept of Taal, Teentaal-16 beats cycle, its basics and related details in short, recitation with clapping and playing them on the Tabla in different tempos and with variations. These are the few following compositions in Teentaal: 2 qayedas (composition-small), its variations and tihai, 2 relas variations and tihai, and 1 tukra. The teaching in this course would also include the basic ideas of a few other popular Taals and their playing styles like Dadra,Kehrawa, etc.

About the teacher: Your instructor for this course, Shailendra Mishra is known as one of the top-graded artists of ‘All India Radio’ (AIR). He was nurtured and seasoned for Tabla playing by eminent Indian gurus like Shri Arjun Rai, Pandit Anand Gopal Bandopadhyay, and Pandit Sameer Chatterjee. He also received valuable guidance from Late Pandit Shyamal Bose. He represents both Banaras and Farrukkhabad Gharanas. At a very young age, he carved a niche for himself and is regarded as one of the most talented percussionists in India. His playing is signified by the authenticity of the Gharanas he represents, clarity and dignity to the ‘bols’, his complete control over ‘Laya’, and a good understanding of the underlying complexities of ‘Taal’ and ‘Laya’. His repertoire is rich and varied, indeed. Winner of many prestigious contests, he also has a Master’s Degree in Music (percussion).

He has also participated several times in the ‘National Programme of Music’ on AIR as well as on Doordarshan (Indian T.V. channels). He has conducted workshops as well as ‘Lecture Demonstrations, covering various topics on music especially the Indian rhythm and related aspects of the art of Tabla playing. He has accompanied stalwarts like Ustad Amjad Ali Khan (sarod), Pandit V.G.Jog (violin), Pandit Shrikant Bakre (vocal), Pandit Rajan Sajan Mishra (vocal), Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar (vocal), Vidushi N.Rajam (violin), Smt Laxmishankar) (vocal), Pandit Surinder Singh (vocal) and a host of eminent vocalists and instrumentalists in India and abroad. His solo performances and Jugalbandi concerts including the Carnatic percussionists have been greatly admired and applauded by critics and connoisseurs.

Of late, his exploration with fusion music has turned out to be one more feather in his cap. He has worked with jazz musicians like Lewis Pragasam, Greg Lyons, and ‘Gamelan’ (group of Malaysian traditional instruments) musicians too. On invitation from the ‘Indian Council for cultural Relations' (ICCR), Government of India, he has toured different places in India as well as abroad to perform and propagate the art of Tabla playing. ICCR, Government of India had deputed him as third secretary(culture) in the Cultural Centre, High Commission of India, Kuala Lumpur where he was not only teaching this art to the people of Malaysia but also propagating and spreading our culture through musical performances, workshops, and seminars.