Sitar Student Performances and Progress in Bengaluru
I believe the true test of any sitar student is sharing their music with others. Here, I showcase the journeys of my students, from their very first notes to the confidence of performing on stage at our Alaap Sangeet Sabha events.
This is what years of dedication looks like. My senior student, Prateeksha Hugar, performs Raag Lalit on stage. It is my greatest pride to see my students achieve this level of mastery.
I am so proud of my student Sudha Ji playing the famous Dhun Anar Anar. She is accompanied on tabla by Prashanth Harogeri during one of our student concerts.
The tradition continues with the next generation. Here is my son, Raviteja, practicing the 'Main vari vari' bandish in Raag Yaman at our Alaap Sangeet Sabha.
A young student looking confident and prepared for his performance. We focus on building strong fundamentals and stage presence from an early age.
A young student, poised and ready to play. My Hindustani sitar lessons focus on correct posture and technique to build a strong foundation for complex raags.
A student, Pratiksha, captured in a moment of deep concentration during a performance. Learning sitar is as much about inner focus as it is about playing the right notes.
My student Pratiksha performing at a concert. Through regular baithaks and stage shows, students gain the confidence to share their music with an audience.
A student performs during our Gurupoornima celebration. You can see the quote from Ustad Vilayat Khan, "Diya se hi diya jalta hai," which is the principle I live and teach by.
A close up of my student playing with focus during our Gurupoornima event. Learning the sitar is a journey of discipline and passion.
A student performing on stage, demonstrating the skills she has developed through our taleem sessions. Every student gets the opportunity to perform.
About Student Performances & Progress
Before a student steps on stage, we spend weeks working on 'Sawal-Jawab' (call and response) with live tabla. It is not just about playing the notes perfectly; it is about learning to listen to the percussion and finding the right rhythm together. This practice prepares them to handle the nerves of a live audience, whether they are playing at a small baithak or our annual Gurupoornima concert.
Learning the sitar is a long path, and I measure progress not just by speed or technical accuracy, but by a student's ability to express themselves. Whether it is a young student like Sharannya finding her grip or a working professional balancing practice with daily chores, I treat everyone with the same focus on the Guru-Shishya Parampara tradition.
How We Build Performance Confidence
- Baithaks: We start small. These intimate home gatherings help students get comfortable playing in front of others without the pressure of a big stage.
- Rhythm Basics: We focus heavily on Taal—Jhaptaal, Rupak, and Teental—using electronic tabla apps before moving to live accompaniment.
- Stage Presence: At the advanced level, we introduce mic etiquette and audio dynamics. Knowing where to sit, how to hold the instrument for the audience, and how to communicate with the tabla player are essential skills I teach.
- Community Support: My students often perform jugalbandi (duets). This helps them learn to collaborate, listen, and respect the silence and sound in equal measure.
If you have ever felt intimidated by the complexity of Hindustani classical music, remember that every master started with a single note. My job is to guide you past the initial technical hurdles—posture, finger positioning, and tuning—so you can eventually enjoy the freedom of improvisation. If you are ready to put in the time, come join us at Alaap Sangeet Sabha.
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