Tabla with Dhwani T.

Tabla is a language which a tabla performer conveys with crisp, clear sounds for the audience to listen to and feel at one with. Essentially, the rhythm of the universe should resonate when a shishiya (student) or guru (teacher) play tabla either for a crowd or in a room. I learned tabla from guru Vithal Pawar in Ahmedabad starting at age 5 and performed routinely at every gurupurnima in front of 50+ students. After moving to USA, I have performed at various temples, garba and even at high school talent show! Currently I am focused on teaching 17 students at BAPS temple every weekend and growing a passion for tabla and music in each student. Whether it be accompanying singers for devotional or hindi songs or a classical solo, a strong base knowledge of beats and rhythms is essential for a good performance. Slowly, a student learns by listening to their creation and enjoying the music in their soul. Creativity flows naturally in their fingers and mind when the ‘light’ is turned on; realizing “I get it!”. The utmost gurudakshina for a guru is that their student surpasses them and makes them immensely proud. A guru’s responsibility and duty is to give all knowledge to their students.