February 2015 Student of the Month | Akhil Cherukattu

Congratulations to our February 2015  Student of the Month - Akhil Cherukattu!   8 year old Akhil Cherukattu has been learning tabla for one year at Taalim's Edison tabla classes with Jin Won.  Akhil became interested in tabla after hearing them played at a bhajan.  When his parents initially brought him to Taalim, he was told to do some basic practices at home to build his hand strength and return for formal instruction after a few months.  He practiced at home and watched youtube videos of tabla in the intervening months before starting classes six month later. In one year, Akhil has made tremendous progress, playing close Read More

January Student of the Month - Ninad Sanghvi

Congratulations to our January 2015  Student of the Month - Ninad Sanghvi!   Manhattan based financial analyst Ninad Sanghvi has been learning tabla from Mike Lukshis at Taalim's Manhattan classes.   When asked why he chose to start learning tabla as an adult and makes it a point to find the time to practice with his busy schedule he says: I enjoy tabla because of the purity of sound and the constant challenge it provides to keep improving yourself.  I am not sure why but I feel peaceful when I am pushing myself and trying to play at faster speeds. Congratulations Ninad! Watch Ninad’s video below Read More

2014 in Review

Some of our favorite memories of 2014 in the Taalim community. This year was marked with wonderful interactions with Guruji - Pandit Divyang Vakil, multiple gatherings of the community to share in the progress and dedication of our students through recitals, our students taking tabla to new communities with their own performances, and more! With each year, Taalim grows strength to strength and it would not be possible without all of you. Thank you and we look forward to what 2015 has in Read More

December Student of the Month - Satya Kumaran

Congratulations to our December 2014  Student of the Month - Satya Kumaran!   13 year old Satya Kumaran is an 8th grade student who has been taking tabla classes at our Edison branch with Jin Won for over 4 years. His interest in tabla began when he saw someone playing it at a bhajan with speed and precision. When asked why he enjoys playing tabla he says: Learning tabla made me realize music is a life long journey. I love tabla because it is a percussion instrument that has notes.  I like the mental and physical challenge of tabla playing. Congratulations Satya.   Watch Satya’s video below and don’t Read More

November Student of the Month - Sagar Vellalath

Congratulations to our November 2014 Student of the Month – Young Tabla Player Sagar Vellalath! Sagar Vellalath is a 7th grade student who has been learning from the Taalim School for 2 years under the guidance of Kaumil Shah at our South Brunswick location. He developed an interest in tabla after watching tabla accompaniment in his sister's Hindustani classical vocal concerts.  When asked why he enjoys playing tabla and chose to learn tabla, Sagar says: I like playing Tabla because it is lot of fun and enjoyable. It’s an instrument that is diverse.  Tabla can provide a steady beat or any rhythm. It has the Read More