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Mastering the Ajrada Gharana Tabla Style

byAkram KhanClasses at Laxmi Nagar studio; conducts workshops across IndiaStarts from₹2,500 per participantView full gallery

Welcome to my musical journey. This collection captures the essence of the Ajrada Gharana, showcasing my performances, workshops, and the sacred tradition of tabla that I am honoured to share.

In this video, I share a professional tip for tabla players on the art of accompaniment. A good tabla player must listen closely and improvise a pattern that complements the main artist, landing perfectly on the beat to create a truly suitable and beautiful piece of music. This is a key part of my tabla improvisation lessons.

A short glimpse from a tabla solo recital during the birth centenary celebration for the legendary Ustad Allarakha. It is always a profound experience to perform compositions from the masters and feel the energy of the audience.

This is a poster from my 'Ajrada Rhythms' workshop at the Chinmaya Naada Bindu Gurukula. In these sessions, students get a chance to delve deep into the artistry of the Ajrada Gharana, learning traditional compositions and the delicate art of improvisation.

I am looking forward with great happiness to my upcoming UK tour. It is a saubhagya, a great fortune, to be invited to perform and conduct a workshop in London, Reading, and other cities. I am grateful for the opportunity to share my music with friends and lovers of art there.

This poster announces our Guru Purnima celebration, a sacred day where we seek the blessings of our gurus. The event includes a Ganda Bandhan ceremony, which is the formal acceptance of a student into the Guru-Shishya Parampara for long-term discipleship.

A moment captured during my performance at the Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra ji Festival in Bhubaneswar. I feel truly honoured and grateful for the love and respect shown by the audience and the organizers. Performing at such prestigious events is always a blessing.

It was a great honour to be present at the Guru Purnima celebration in Mumbai for the legend, Ustad Allah Rakha Khan Sahab. Here I am with the great maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain ji and my talented disciple, Zuheb. Witnessing so many great artists was a memorable experience.

About Featured

Learning tabla is more than just memorizing compositions, it is about developing a deep understanding of the Ajrada Gharana's unique Nikas and phrasing. Whether you are joining my intensive workshops at Triveni Kala Sangam or booking a lecture-demonstration, I focus on the Guru-Shishya Parampara, where we explore the logic of improvisation and the art of accompaniment together.

7th generation Ajrada Gharana maestro — Approved by the tribe
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Akram Khan

Classes at Laxmi Nagar studio; conducts workshops across IndiaStarts from ₹2,500 per participant

I am Akram Khan, carrying the legacy of the Ajrada Gharana passed down by my father. My life is dedicated to the riyaaz and the transmission of these traditional rhythms to the next generation.

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