What is the minimum age for beginning with Kathak classes at Taalim School of Indian Music?

6 years is the minimum age recommended for starting Kathak lessons with us. We may accept students under 6 provided you consult with a Taalim teacher first.

I have experience in learning Tabla/ Kathak. Can I continue advanced training at your school?

Sure! Please share with us some information about your previous learning experience in the Inquiry form or in the mail if you prefer to directly contact us at info@taalim.com

Which locations does your school serve?

Our teachers (Tabla) are available at over 16 locations across the states. Please visit taalim.com/classes to learn more. Please note, Kathak coaching is available only at Edison, NJ or online.

Do you provide a trial or a Demo class for new enrollments?

If required, a paid trial class is available on request.

Do you provide a degree certificate for the courses you offer?

No! Taalim School does not offer any degree programs or certificate courses.

How many students do you have in a group class?

Our group classes generally range from 4 to 10 students. At Taalim School we teach our group classes in such a way that each student can progress at their own pace.

What is the age limit for joining classes at Taalim School?

You can enroll in classes at Taalim school regardless of age and experience level.

Do you offer material for use in college applications?

Yes, we will provide students with a letter of recommendation on the Taalim letterhead. We can also facilitate the production of a performance sample video or audio file to include with college applications.

What opportunities does one receive as a student of the institute?

Students are encouraged to participate or attend our various workshops, summer camps, concerts, events, and recitals. All students are guided thoroughly towards their holistic development as a student, individual and musician.

Do you have an annual day celebration for the students of your school?

No! We do not organize an annual day event at the school. However, the students get to perform and learn through various events held throughout the year.

Does the school provide Tabla drums to the students?

No, we do not provide drums to students. All new registrants must have their own set of Tabla for their practice.

Can we buy a pair of Tabla from the school?

Yes! Taalim School offers a variety of semi- professional and professional Tabla sets for purchase either at our main brand in Edison, NJ or by pick up at one of our many class locations around NJ and NY.

Quality

Commitment to excellence in
teaching and performance

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Start Learning Right Now!

Due to the continuing uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, Taalim continues to teach many of its classes online but we do offer in-person classes as well. We are currently unsure when we can resume our live classes at all our locations as we have been doing for the last 20 years, but in the maps below you can see the locations we expect to continue serving when we deem it safe. Please contact us for current availability.

Reach out to us.

Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY

Tuesday | 6 PM EST

Newport, JERSEY CITY, NJ

Group class: Sunday | 5: 30 PM EST

Other available locations

Midtown Manhattan, NY

Edison, NJ

Group Class- 1: Monday | 6.30 PM EST
Group Class- 2: Sunday | 9 AM EST
Group Class- 3: Sunday | 10 AM EST

Other available locations

East Brunswick, NJ

South Brunswick, NJ

Bridgewater, NJ

Classes available by appointment only.

Allendale, NJ

By appointment only

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ

Classes available by appointment only.

Available locations across the region

New Hyde Park, NY

Westhampton Beach, NY

East Hampton, NY

Montauk, NY

Available locations across the region

Charlottesville, VA

Richmond, VA

About Tabla

Taalim School’s core strength lies in formal instruction in tabla – the most popular Indian percussion instrument. Guided by Pandit Divyang Vakil, Taalim School teaches Delhi, Ajrada, and Punjab gharana of tabla, in addition to contemporary classical tabla playing and Pandit Vakil’s own compositions.

Tabla instruction is based on the teaching methodology developed by Pandit Divyang Vakil, which is a modern adaptation of the guru-shishya parampara (student-teacher tradition). Teaching is customized to the needs, skill, and personality of each student. Even in a group setting, each student gets individual and targeted attention.

No previous experience with Indian music and/or drumming is required. Learning tabla and Indian rhythm can add depth and open new avenues of creativity within one’s own playing for percussionists and drummers of different drums, such as cajon, djembe, and drum kit.

What is Tabla?

Tabla is the main rhythmic instrument of North Indian classical music. Its music involves skillfully composed rhythmic patterns, intriguing compositions, and complex beat structures. The tabla is comprised of two drums, one played by each hand. Each drum consists of a hollow interior covered with a leather surface. The larger of the two, on which bass tones are produced, is the baya. The smaller drum is the daya, on which numerous higher-pitched tones are produced. The beauty and essence of tabla-playing lies in the harmonious balance between the daya and baya.

The tabla is a highly versatile percussion instrument, which is played solo or in accompaniment with just about any musical instrument in the world.

EDISON, NJ

Group Class- 1: Sunday | 11: 30 AM EST (Beginners)
Group Class- 2: Sunday | 12: 30 PM EST (Intermediate & Advanced)
Group Class- 3: Wednesday | 7 PM EST (Online exclusive)

About Kathak

Immerse yourself in the beautiful Indian classical dance form of kathak with acclaimed dancer, choreographer & teacher Jin Won.Students of all ages (young children, teenagers, professionals, adults, grandmothers) are welcome to come enjoy the benefits of this beautiful Indian dance form.Kathak instruction is based on the teaching methodology developed by Pandit Divyang Vakil, which is a modern adaptation of the guru-shishya parampara (studentsts-teacher tradition). Teaching is customized to the needs, skill, and personality of each student. Even in a group setting, each student gets individual and targeted attention.At the Taalim School of Indian Music, students will learn the two major aspects of kathak – nritta (pure dance) and natya (expressive dance).

Initial training in nritta, begins with basic footwork (tatkar), movements, and chakars, as well as technical compositions such as tukda, bant, tihais, gats, etc. As the student advances, the technical repertoire will expand to include that, uthan, amaad, gat, etc. Given Ms. Won’s background as a tabla player as well, students will gain a strong understanding of rhythm and the rhythm plays in music and dance.Natya or the story-telling aspect of kathak is taught through vandana, thumris and bhajans.In addition to traditional stories from Indian culture, stories from American culture are also interpreted through kathak to make the dance form more accessible.Throughout our kathak classes, a strong emphasis is placed on understanding the body through movement, with a focus on body alignment and posture.As with training in any other classical dance form, learning kathak instills discipline and focus. While becoming a professional kathak dancer takes years of training, similar to ballet, basic to intermediate training in kathak is considered a major asset for all dancers,especially those interested in Bollywood dance.

What is Kathak?

Kathak is among the major classical dances of India, known for its fast-paced footwork, dizzying spins (known as chakkars), grace, and storytelling. With influences from the Bhakti movement, temple and ritual dances of India, Persian and central Asian dance forms, Kathak emerged from the confluences of cultures over time in northern India. Kathak’s evolution continues as it has made its way into modern Indian dance forms as the most popular classical dance used in Bollywood dancing.

About Taalvidya

Guruji Pandit Divyang Vakil has introduced his Taalvidya program: an extensive rhythm training program for Kathak dancers across the globe. It aims at providing to the sincere students of Kathak a deeper understanding of the rhythmic patterns around which the artform revolves and opening up many new possibilities for an artist to create and explore.

Course Highlights

Understanding of different types of Taal and Laya
The concept of Upaj
Various compositions and types of Tihais
Types of Chhandkari in Kathak
Layakari and the concept of micro beats

Currently, over 500 Kathak students, dancers, teachers and professionals, each trained by different Kathak Gurus and institutes around the world, are receiving Taalvidya training under the able guidance of Guruji Pandit Divyang Vakil through exclusively designed and meticulously conceptualized courses, classes and workshops.

If you belong to a Kathak dance institute/ organization and would like to arrange workshops or Taalvidya sessions by Guruji Pandit Divyang Vakil for your students, contact us at [email protected]

FAQs

6 years is the minimum age recommended for starting Tabla lessons with us. We may accept students under 6 provided you consult with a Taalim teacher first.

Yes! Although we do not have an annual day where every student performs, we do hold regular recitals and house concerts where students are given a chance to show their practice and ability. Students are selected for performance opportunities by their teacher, which generally does not happen before 2 years of training and ensures the highest quality of their education and our events. We believe in creating a strong sense of achievement and respect when given permission to perform, so we reserve the right to deny performance to students based on merit.

As always, our highest commitment is the health and safety of our students and teachers. Due to the continuing uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, all the students, parents and visitors must be fully vaccinated against the Covid- 19 infection, carry a hand sanitizer and must wear a mask at all times in the school premises. Parents are not allowed to wait in the school premises to avoid any possible chances of infection. All students attending classes in- person must fill out our covid- 19 liability form before beginning with their first session.

Classes