RAAGA SCHOOL OF MUSIC
  • Annual Day 2022
  • Syllabus
  • Workshops
  • FACULTY
    • Carnatic Vocal Classes >
      • Smt. NCS Ravali
      • Vidwan Dr. Umashankar
      • Smt. Srirajalakshmi
      • Vishwesh Swaminadhan
      • Aarthi Ravichandran
      • Akshaya Ramanath
      • Sri Anirudh Bharadwaj
      • Ms. Sushmetha Mohan
      • Smt. Usha Prabhu
      • Smt. ​Bharathy Subrahmanyam
      • Smt. Srividhya Kumar
      • Smt. ​Yamini Indrakanti
      • Dr. Harish Ganapathy
      • Smt. Radha Srisailam
      • Smt. Pratyusha Chaganti
      • Smt. Sindhu Natarajan
      • Ms. Mayuri Vasan
      • Smt. Sunandini Radhakrishnan
      • Smt. Sreevidya Pasumarthi
      • Smt. Madhura Subramanian
      • Shambhavi Bhaskar
    • Tabla Classes >
      • Shri. Ravi Gutala
      • Smt Rama Garimella
      • Shri. Nikhil Pandya
    • Mridangam Classes >
      • Akshay Prabhakaran
    • Carnatic Violin Classes >
      • Kalaimamani Meera Sivaramakrishnan
      • Vishwesh Swaminadhan
      • Sri. Kaushik Sivaramakrishnan
      • Parur MK Ananthlakshmi
      • Abhay Anil Kumar
      • Sri. Sasidhar Madugula
      • Sri. Siddharth Ashokkumar
    • Hindustani Vocal Classes >
      • Smt. Sujata Gurav
      • Smt. Amrita Rao
      • Smt. Lalita Sharma
    • Veena >
      • Smt. Radha Srisailam
      • Smt. Srirajalakshmi
    • Sitar >
      • Shri Bruce Hamm
    • Sarod >
      • Shri Bruce Hamm
    • Carnatic Flute >
      • Sri Paddu Vedam
      • Sri Anirudh Bharadwaj
  • Testimonials
  • Enroll Now
    • Enroll - Carnatic Vocal
    • Enroll - Hindustani Vocal
    • Enroll - Flute
    • Enroll - Tabla
    • Enroll - Sitar Sarod
    • Enroll - Carnatic Violin
    • Enroll - Mridangam
  • Teach Here
  • Articles
    • The Joys of Learning Carnatic Music
    • Benefits of Learning Carnatic Music
    • Carnatic Vocal: What to Expect in Beginner Lessons
    • Carnatic Music - How to Identify Swaras
    • How to use Zoom recordings to practice at home
    • Preparing for Carnatic Vocal Tests
    • Sapta Swaras: The 7 Swaras
    • Mayamalvagowla
    • Carnatic Vocal Workshops
    • Preparing for Performances
    • Vijayadashami Carnatic Lessons
    • Understanding Raga Mohanam
    • An introduction to Varnams
    • An introduction to Geetams
  • Performances
    • Sampada Exams - 2021
    • Aug 11 Performance
    • Annual Day 2019 - Students
    • Annual Day 2019 - Teachers
  • PAY/SCHEDULE
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SIGN UP FOR TABLA

Tabla

Tabla is the modern caretaker of an ancient rhythmic tradition that is perhaps 5000 years old. It is the main rythmic instrument in North Indian classical music, but its versatility in all musical styles has enabled it to become the most popular percussion instrument in all of India.  Its music involves skillfully composed rhythmic patterns, intriguing compositions, and complex beat structures. The tabla is a highly versatile percussion instrument, which is played solo or in accompaniment with just about any musical instrument.  The level of sophistication and tonal beauty it possesses has elevated the instrument to an unmatched status in the world of percussion.

The study of tabla is in the oral tradition and is a continuation of the pakhawaj repertoire, which is thousands of years old, and has developed into a supremely refined style, technique, and literature. The vast oral literature of drumming is divided into two categories, fixed rhythmic compositions and theme and variations. In ancient times, a language was developed using words called bols that were descriptive of the sounds that the drum makes. Some of these words are rooted in Sanskrit and are derived from the vibrations of the universe. Today, there are about sixteen different sounds or bols which are arranged like poetry, first in phrases, then sentences, followed by paragraphs, chapters, and then novels. These literary references are the fixed compositions that have specific names, categories, and meaning to tabla players. A person who studies tabla has to memorize an enormous number of these compositions, and they are preserved in notebooks with only the words and no musical notations. These words or bols are enough information for a tabla player to perform the music. The other technique tabla players use is a theme and variations technique which includes improvisation.

An enormous amount of practice is necessary to be a proficient tabla player. All the professional tabla players today and throughout history have been through intense training, which is why there is a very real common respect and spirituality amongst players who achieve an advanced level of performance.​

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Shri Ravi Gutala

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Shri Nikhil Pandya

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SCHEDULE A TRIAL CLASS

We are a very open learning environment. Please stop by to talk to one of our faculty about Carnatic and Hindustani Music, the History, the Instruments and the Teaching Methods we use to inspire our students to continue this rich musical and cultural tradition. Fill out the following form to schedule a trial class. Please feel free to call us at +1.408.337.2245 or email us at info@raagaSchool.com ​

​WE ARE A LOCAL INSTITUTION WITH DEEP ROOTS TO OUR COMMUNITY

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West San Jose / Saratoga 

Raaga School of Music,
Saratoga

​1428 Saratoga Avenue, 
​San Jose, CA 95129
(Behind Heritage Country Inn)

South San Jose / Almaden 

Raaga School of Music, Almaden
5353 Almaden Expressway, 
Suite D208
San Jose, CA 95118
(Next to PetSmart, inside Almaden School of Music & Art campus)

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Raaga School of Music, 
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803 Taurus Drive, 
​Foster City, CA - 94404

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Raaga School of Music,
Fremont

​47631 Hoyt Street, 
​Fremont, CA - 94539

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Contact Us

Phone: +1.408.337.2245
​email: info@raagaSchool.com

  • Annual Day 2022
  • Syllabus
  • Workshops
  • FACULTY
    • Carnatic Vocal Classes >
      • Smt. NCS Ravali
      • Vidwan Dr. Umashankar
      • Smt. Srirajalakshmi
      • Vishwesh Swaminadhan
      • Aarthi Ravichandran
      • Akshaya Ramanath
      • Sri Anirudh Bharadwaj
      • Ms. Sushmetha Mohan
      • Smt. Usha Prabhu
      • Smt. ​Bharathy Subrahmanyam
      • Smt. Srividhya Kumar
      • Smt. ​Yamini Indrakanti
      • Dr. Harish Ganapathy
      • Smt. Radha Srisailam
      • Smt. Pratyusha Chaganti
      • Smt. Sindhu Natarajan
      • Ms. Mayuri Vasan
      • Smt. Sunandini Radhakrishnan
      • Smt. Sreevidya Pasumarthi
      • Smt. Madhura Subramanian
      • Shambhavi Bhaskar
    • Tabla Classes >
      • Shri. Ravi Gutala
      • Smt Rama Garimella
      • Shri. Nikhil Pandya
    • Mridangam Classes >
      • Akshay Prabhakaran
    • Carnatic Violin Classes >
      • Kalaimamani Meera Sivaramakrishnan
      • Vishwesh Swaminadhan
      • Sri. Kaushik Sivaramakrishnan
      • Parur MK Ananthlakshmi
      • Abhay Anil Kumar
      • Sri. Sasidhar Madugula
      • Sri. Siddharth Ashokkumar
    • Hindustani Vocal Classes >
      • Smt. Sujata Gurav
      • Smt. Amrita Rao
      • Smt. Lalita Sharma
    • Veena >
      • Smt. Radha Srisailam
      • Smt. Srirajalakshmi
    • Sitar >
      • Shri Bruce Hamm
    • Sarod >
      • Shri Bruce Hamm
    • Carnatic Flute >
      • Sri Paddu Vedam
      • Sri Anirudh Bharadwaj
  • Testimonials
  • Enroll Now
    • Enroll - Carnatic Vocal
    • Enroll - Hindustani Vocal
    • Enroll - Flute
    • Enroll - Tabla
    • Enroll - Sitar Sarod
    • Enroll - Carnatic Violin
    • Enroll - Mridangam
  • Teach Here
  • Articles
    • The Joys of Learning Carnatic Music
    • Benefits of Learning Carnatic Music
    • Carnatic Vocal: What to Expect in Beginner Lessons
    • Carnatic Music - How to Identify Swaras
    • How to use Zoom recordings to practice at home
    • Preparing for Carnatic Vocal Tests
    • Sapta Swaras: The 7 Swaras
    • Mayamalvagowla
    • Carnatic Vocal Workshops
    • Preparing for Performances
    • Vijayadashami Carnatic Lessons
    • Understanding Raga Mohanam
    • An introduction to Varnams
    • An introduction to Geetams
  • Performances
    • Sampada Exams - 2021
    • Aug 11 Performance
    • Annual Day 2019 - Students
    • Annual Day 2019 - Teachers
  • PAY/SCHEDULE