Vijay Gonahal

About

I believe music is something you share, not just play. Teaching sitar isn’t a job for me, it’s a way of lighting another lamp, just like Ustad Vilayat Khan said, "Diya se hi diya jalta hai." Nothing beats seeing my students, from tiny kids like Sharannya to adults juggling work and home like Sudha ji, find their own sound.

Who Can Join

• Kids, adults, seniors – anyone who loves music and is ready to put in the time.
• No fancy background needed, just patience and passion.

How We Learn

• My lessons are built on the Guru-Shishya Parampara sitar teaching style - more like a journey together than a strict classroom.

• We start with the basics: how to sit, how to hold the sitar, simple paltas (finger exercises).

• Then, we dive into Hindustani classical raag sitar lessons, exploring raags like Yaman, Puriya, and Shuddh Sarang.

• I teach both traditional gats and bandish, plus some of my own pieces. If you’re ready, we get into sitar improvisation training with alaap and taans.

• One-on-one classes for deep work, or group classes if you like learning with others.

Beyond Lessons

• I want you to share your music, not just practice it alone. Through Alaap Sangeet Sabha, we hold baithaks and stage performances, including our big Gurupoornima event.
• If you stick with it, you might even perform with me at a public concert.

This is not just about technique. It’s about feeling the music and having the guts to share it. If you’re up for that, I’m here.