New Video from the TAAL Documentary Film Project

Dear friends,

Here is a new video clip from filmmaker Caroline Tabah's TAAL - The Rhythm of Life documentary film project fundraiser. I hope you enjoy it! Please visit the TAAL fundraising campaign website. The project truly needs your help in order to succeed, so please do consider making a contribution. Every bit helps enormously!


This is taken from a recent performance of Raag Janasammohini with santoor player, Jonathan Voyer at Space Gathering 2012. You may remember seeing the psychedelic photos a few posts ago.

TAAL - The Rhythm of Life - Documentary Film Project

I have some very exciting news to announce! I am touched and honoured to have been chosen to be part of a documentary film about my tabla Guru, Pandit Sharda Sahai, myself, and the Benares tabla gharana. TAAL - The Rhythm of Life, by Montreal filmmaker Caroline Tabah, will highlight Guruji's enormous contribution to the world of music, and document the musical adventures of this Canadian seeking to find his way in the world of music. The film will include tons of concert footage, and interviews with numerous musicians. While quite a lot of footage has already been captured, an enormous amount of work is yet to be done in order for the film to become a reality. Please visit the TAAL Indiegogo campaign to learn more about the film and to see how you can help contribute to this ambitious project. There are some very special rewards for those who contribute generously, so please do have a look and consider helping out.

Please click here to visit the TAAL page, and view the project trailer! Also, please do pass on this link to any of your friends who might also be interested in the project. Caroline and I sincerely appreciate your support!

Announcing the Second Annual Summer Tabla Workshop with Shawn Mativetsky

Dear friends, I am very pleased to announce the second edition of my annual summer tabla workshop. Inspired by Gurujee's annual summer tabla workshops that took place from 1980 to 2008, I hope to continue this tradition in my own small way.

Like last year, the workshop will take place at the Schulich School of Music of McGill University (Montreal, Canada). The facilities there are excellent, and they have provided us with a well-equipped, comfortable room, with a great view of downtown Montreal. The workshop will take place from July 2 to July 8.

During this intensive hands-on workshop, participants will learn tabla in the tradition of the Benares (Varanasi) gharana. The workshop is open to all levels (beginner, intermediate, advanced). The schedule includes daily group practice sessions, classes, and two listening/repertoire sessions. Students will live and breathe tabla for the duration of the workshop!

Tuition is 250$ and is due by June 1, 2012. Students must provide their own tabla. If you don’t already own a set, please contact me, and I will be happy to assist you.

For more information, or to register, please contact me here.

Last year's workshop was great fun. I'm really looking forward to this summer's session! I hope to see many of you there!