Academy of Music and Dance

I've been here in Rajkot for a while now. And I was talking to Beena(my host mom here) about music and stuff. Later on she told me about this Music and Dance Academy. So then we finally got to visit the academy.

The building was nothing special, just a warn down building. But the talent and people were superb. Never judge a book by it's cover. We entered the place where we were welcomed warmly and then taken into the principals office. She welcomed us then we went up stairs to see the classes. And I thought I was going to cry with joy from hearing everything that was going on. Just filled with music. Violins, guitars, singing, tabla, sitars... the stomping of the Karthak dancers. I just wanted to weep with joy. Because this was where I wanted to be for the rest of my time here in India. I knew it in my heart. I wanted to stay, I was suppose to stay and be here. And as we walked through, I just became more engulfed in it. Absorbed in everything. The passion of the teachers, the joy and enthusiasm of the students, willing to learn.

We stopped in the tabla room where one of the tabla teachers were there, and I shyly entered. To the left were two big wooden chests filled with tablas for the students. The bigger one called "Bhaiya" and the smaller one known as "Tabla" or "Daiya". I was amazed. The tabla teacher was immensely nice, my host dad was there and he talked to the teacher about having me study during the little time that I was in Rajkot. So, then decided that I would come back the next day.

Before we left, they gave us a little demonstration. A sitar player and a tabla player performed. I just sat there, closest to the sitar player and just watched him play. Then the tablas came in and everything just fell into place. I was mesmerized. I sat there and closed my eyes, just listening, I didn't want it to stop. But sadly they did. And I opened my eyes, almost with tears. The music was so beautiful. We stood up and left, thanking them.

That was yesterday. Today I went to the academy really excited. I got the tabla room, and there were three other students, I knew this was going to be a long lesson. The other students sat there as the teacher explained to me about classical music. And I have to tell you, it's a lot more difficult than Western music. The way it's notated, what signifies what, it's very specific. The other students also listened, but were also fascinated that I was there willing to learn, a foreigner like me. Then the lesson began. I was shy at first, but then warmed up to it.

(x)Dhä Dhin Dhin Dhä| (2)Dhä Dhin Dhin Dhä |(o) Dhä Tin Tin Tä |(3) Tä Dhin Dhin Dhä |

-'x' is the sign fo the first major beat
-'2' second major beat
-'o' sign of half cycle past beat
-'3' third major beat

16 beats(Maatra)
4 Khand(signified with '|') (each having 4 beats in them)

1st, 5th and 13th are the measure beats 'Taali' which is a beat you must hit harder than the others to show that the next measure has started

9th is the half cycle past measure beat 'Kaali' which is in the 3rd measure, but is a soft hit instead of a hard one. This signifies that measure.

And to know the difference between measures you must listen to the hits. Each hit has a specific sound. 'Dha' sounds differently from 'Ta'. And you have to differentiate all the beats you are playing. This specific pattern is called 'Teentäl'

Then you have to make sure you hands are placed right on both, and play what you are told. If the teacher says 'Dha Dha Dha Ti Ta Dhin Dha' Then I have to play that. The cool part is is that I know what to play now.

Now this is the language that musicians learn, so when the sitar and tabla play together, they know when the accents are in the 16 beats, and the communication is through the language that they both mutually know.

I learned that today. And it is so addicting. The three students left and two other students came in, set up their tablas and started to play what I was learning. I sat there amazed at the hand movements. The two students had come from a blind school. Both blind and couldn't see what they were doing, but were feeling and listening. I just listened. Inspired.

I have a lot of practice to do, and I don't want to leave Rajkot because I want to keep going to this Academy. The Academy really doesn't charge students, only 16 rupees a month, that is it, it's basically free. So you come and learn. The talented who can't afford expensive lessons come here. The teachers are paid by the government, along with the principal. I wish I could stay. I am going later on today for another lesson, I want to soak up as much as I can. I am so grateful for this opportunity, it's amazing. I am going to take it all in. I'm learning whatever I can. =) This Academy is everything I've always wanted. And I have the chance to taste what it's like to be around such brilliant minds and be around people who share the same passion as I have for music. I feel like I am at home when I am there.