Learn the Fundamentals of Tabla Playing

These classes will introduce new concepts and techniques for playing Tabla every week. Every session will dedicate some minutes to revising the previous lessons for a firm grasp of the concepts. The following topics will be covered:

• Structure of the instrument and its making, sitting posture, introduction to the syllables or Bols of the right hand, left hand, and both the hands (1st-4th weeks)
• Combined bols of both right and left hand, variations of the combined Bols. Introduction to simple Kaydas (Compositions) and their Vistars (variations) with the Tihai (ending) (5th to 8th weeks)
• Practising more Kaydas and introduction to Relas (Essentially fast compositions) with their Tihai (9th-12th weeks)
• Kaydas, Relas with different finger techniques, their Vistars (variations) and interesting Tihais. Reciting these compositions by putting Tala (displaying with the hand) (13th-16th weeks)
• Introduction to advanced Kaydas in different Chand or rhythms with their Vistars and Tihai. Recitation of everything with the Tala on hand (17th-20th weeks)
• New Relas and their Vistars with their Tihai and its recitations with Taal on the hands (21st-24th weeks)
• Introduction to Special bols like Dheredhere/ Dhenegene for the right hand.Composition based on Dheredhe/Dheneghene (25th-28th weeks)
• Continuation of Dheredhere/Dheneghene composition with their Vistars and Tihai (28th-32nd weeks)
• Reciting Dheredhere/Dhenegene compositions with the Tala on hand. Introduction to simple Tukra( Fixed composition) (33rd-36th week)
• Recitation of Tukras with the Tala on the hand (37th-40th weeks)
• Introduction to basic Theka ( structure) of the Tala. And how to play and show by clapping and waving hands (41st-44th week)
• Prepare to perform solo with all the taught concepts (45th-48th)

About the Teacher: A senior disciple of the great Tabla maestro none other than Pandit Shankar Ghosh Subrata took initial training from the late Sri Sunil Bhattacharya of Benaras Gharana at the age of eight. Subrata also has been receiving training in the Karnatic tala system under the eminent Miridangam maestro Pandit S.Sekhar.

Subrata is an M.A in Percussion music from Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata. He is an ‘A’ grade artist of All Radio and Television. He has played all over India and abroad in many prestigious concerts, conferences, and festivals. Subrata has toured successfully in the U.S.A, U.K and many European countries like Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Holland and many Middle East countries like Kuwait, Dubai and Martinique on Caribbean Island. He also represented Govt. of India in performing at different international music festivals in Iraq+Jordon in the year 1998 and Mexico+Canada in the year 2014, and in Slovenia+Croatia+Montenegro in the year 2017 organised by the I.C.C.R., He has to his credit several audio CDs from different companies which are available in the market. Subrata led a team of vocalists, a Kathak dancer and a Sitar player to represent Hinduism through North Indian classical music in one of the most prestigious International festivals called ‘MUSICASACRA’ in the south of Germany and Eigenarten Festival, Hamburg, Germany and in Cervantino Festival, The biggest festival of South America.

Besides being a performer, Subrata is also a fantastic teacher in the subject of Tabla. He has numerous students in India and abroad. Many of them are already established in the professional field of music. For detailed information, please check his website: www.subratamanna.com.