Indian classical
Tabla
Bols → thekas → taals → kaydas → relas → tukdas → solo
Foundations
Foundations
Sitting posture, hand shape, tuning the dayan and keeping the bayan alive.
Beginner · 12 min
Basic Bols
Na, Tin, Tun, Ge, Ka, Dha, Dhin — the syllabary of tabla.
Beginner · 14 min
Voice & Padhant
Speaking the bols clearly before your hands ever touch the drum.
Beginner · 12 min
Finger Technique
Independence of index and middle fingers, and controlling the bayan with the heel.
Beginner · 16 min
Hand Independence Drills
A daily warm-up that wakes both hands and evens out your tone.
Beginner · 14 min
Tuning & Maintenance
Hammer, gatta, syahi and humidity — keeping the drums singing.
Beginner · 14 min
Teentaal
The 16-matra cycle: theka, sam, tali and khali.
Beginner · 18 min
Keharwa
The eight-beat cycle that carries most folk and film music.
Beginner · 14 min
Dadra
Six matras with a light, swaying thumri character.
Beginner · 12 min
Core repertoire
Jhaptaal
Ten matras in a 2-3-2-3 shape — asymmetry that feels natural.
Intermediate · 16 min
Rupak
Seven matras that begin on khali — sam without a stroke of weight.
Intermediate · 16 min
Ektaal
Twelve matras — the vilambit canvas of khayal accompaniment.
Intermediate · 18 min
Deepchandi & Sitarkhani
Semi-classical cycles for thumri, ghazal and dadra-ang singing.
Intermediate · 16 min
Kayda
Theme and variation — the compositional engine of tabla.
Intermediate · 20 min
Rela
Fast, rolling patterns built on light finger strokes.
Intermediate · 20 min
Tihai Craft
Building three-fold cadences that land exactly where you want them.
Intermediate · 18 min
Tukda
Short fixed compositions that land beautifully on sam.
Intermediate · 16 min
Chakradar
A composition played three times, resolving on sam.
Advanced · 18 min
Mastery & expression
Peshkar
The unhurried opening of a solo, where you set the mood.
Advanced · 20 min
Laykari
Playing at double, triple and quadruple speed against a steady cycle.
Advanced · 22 min
Gat & Paran
Pakhawaj-derived compositions with weight, drama and long lines.
Advanced · 20 min
Improvisation
Building spontaneous phrases from your kayda vocabulary.
Advanced · 22 min
Gharanas
Delhi, Ajrada, Lucknow, Farukhabad, Banaras and Punjab styles.
Advanced · 18 min
Accompanying Kathak
Playing for dance: tatkar, tukda cues and listening on stage.
Advanced · 20 min
Performance Practice
Accompaniment, solo structure and playing with an audience.
Advanced · 20 min