Celebrating Guru Purnima in London, Summer 2011

Guru Purnima is a very special time of year for any chela (disciple). Usually occurring some time in the month of July, this day is devoted to celebrating the Guru. While I have celebrated Guru Puja numerous times in previous years, this is the first time that I was with Gurujee on the actual day of Guru Purnima, according to the Hindu calendar. For this past year, Guru Purnima fell on July 15.

Photos by Caroline Tabah

Guru-bhais (fellow disciples) and students from all over the UK were in attendance, as well as a couple of us who traveled from North America. Little did any of us know that this would be our last Guru Purnima with Gurujee. Looking back on the photos, we all had a great time, and this day made for some especially fond memories. Gurujee always loved when we all came together, as a big family. A special moment that I will always be thankful for.

Chatting with the Sahai family in Benares via Skype

Photos by Caroline Tabah

Aside from Guru Purnima, I was in London to spend time with Gurujee and continue my tabla studies. While I was there, I accompanied kathak dance classes at Sangeet College, given by dancer Mansi Dabral, and assisted in teaching the tabla classes as well. Surprise, surprise! There was a class concert organised to take place in a week's time at the Harrow Arts Centre, and I was to accompany Mansi in a short performance. Great, but this was a short time to put together a kathak performance!

After all the students had given their performances, we came on stage to conclude the concert. With Dr. Frances Shepherd on harmonium, and myself on tabla, we accompanied Mansi in her performance, which was met by great praise from the audience!

Photo by Deepak Uniyal

Photo by Caroline Tabah

Photo by Caroline Tabah

First Annual Summer Tabla Workshop in Montreal

Some of you may remember that I hosted Gurujee, Pandit Sharda Sahai for tabla workshops in Montreal back in 2006 and 2008. Unfortunately, he isn't travelling as often as he used to, and so has stopped coming to North America for his annual workshops. This year, I decided to continue the tradition in my own small way, and organised a one-week tabla workshop at McGill University during the first week of July. Students were divided into two groups - beginner and intermediate. Each class met four times, in addition to daily group practice sessions, and two video-viewing sessions where we watched performances of instrumental music, tabla solos, and kathak dance.

We ended the workshop with a Guru Puja. Here are a few photos:

Thanks to all the students for their enthusiastic participation! Keep practicing! :)

I'm currently in the planning stages for next year's summer workshop in Montreal. Also, stay tuned for information about Gurujee's tabla workshop in London in summer 2012! It will be really special. As soon as I have any details, I will post them here.