--- title: "Learn Sitar in Bengaluru: Traditional Guru-Shishya Training" description: "Learn Hindustani classical sitar in Bengaluru with traditional Guru-Shishya training. Master raags, technique, and improvisation in personalized sessions." canonical: https://mytribe.in/gonahalu/hindustani-sitar-lessons/the-guru-shishya-parampara-our-teaching last_updated: 2025-09-07 --- # Learning Sitar: The Guru-Shishya Parampara Tribe Verified · Traditional Guru-Shishya training in Bengaluru By [Vijay Gonahal](https://mytribe.in/gonahalu) · In-person lessons in Bengaluru · ₹1,500 Per Session (estimate) Part of [Hindustani Sitar Lessons](https://mytribe.in/gonahalu/hindustani-sitar-lessons). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/gonahalu/hindustani-sitar-lessons/gallery) Teaching sitar is not just a job for me, it is a way of passing on the flame. Whether you are taking your first steps or refining your ragas, we learn together in the traditional way. ## Photos and videos - [Video: An intense taleem session with my student Arjun on Raag Puriya. This one-on-one training is where we do the deep work on the nuances of a raag.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/1473ae6b-1fe8-46cb-9859-06492562f197) - [Video: A taleem session with my student Sanjith, focusing on Raag Shuddh Sarang. I guide him through the intricate phrases and finger movements.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/eaf3a283-9939-40bd-aed3-2e43abd435c3) - [Video: Part two of my taleem with Sanjith on Raag Shuddh Sarang. Repetition and careful correction are key to mastering the details of Hindustani classical music.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/e8a22256-4ca9-483f-890a-4ad3ab22ba5a) - [Video: I am teaching a drut gat I composed in Raag Yaman to my students. I enjoy creating new compositions for them to learn and master.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/4abd1459-6b0e-4dcf-a92f-bff4403ea0ce) - [Video: A daily taleem session with my students, teaching the 'Main vari vari' bandish in Raag Yaman. Consistent practice is the only way to progress.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/ae85ac20-7e07-4726-8f03-bccf1179969b) - [Video: Teaching Raag Miyan Malhar to my student Ranjan Hemant ji. Even complex monsoon raags become accessible with step-by-step guidance.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/815aaea9-dcfb-4df0-a60f-f7fc834b1658) - [Video: We learn together as a community. This is a new batch of students practicing palta exercises for Raag Yaman. There is a special energy when we all play together.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/855f6ebf-3575-4eac-a549-dbbc51d5e482) - [Video: The Guru-Shishya Parampara is the heart of my teaching. It was a great honor to play for my dada guru, Pandit Arvind Parikh ji, on his 97th birthday. This tradition of respect and learning is what I pass on to my students.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/359c7bc4-f9e4-45a6-ad51-db61d8889504) - ![With my Guruji, a moment of respect and gratitude. The blessings of the guru are the most important thing in a musician's life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/745fced2-1daf-4178-8f84-501496ce3014) - ![A cherished photo with my Guruji during his birthday celebration. The knowledge he has given me is what I share with my own students today.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f38311ef-56b6-4590-b86e-a847427deb0c) ## About The Guru-Shishya Parampara: Our Teaching Every lesson starts with the basics of posture and how to sit properly, and we move to finger exercises called paltas before touching a raag. You will not find rigid classroom drills here. Instead, I dictate each gat and bandish directly into your notebook, just as my gurus did for me, ensuring you have a handwritten record to practice during the week. In the Guru-Shishya tradition, music is shared, not just taught. When you join, we sit together on the floor in the baithak style. This environment creates a bond where you are comfortable to ask questions and I can correct your grip or stroke technique immediately. We begin with the fundamentals—how to hold the sitar and the importance of tuning—before we dive into Raag Yaman or Shuddh Sarang. There is no rush to finish a syllabus. I teach at your pace, focusing on the clarity of your 'Meend' (pull) and 'Da-Ra' strokes. For those ready for advanced challenges, we focus on improvisation including the Alaap and Jod, along with complex rhythmic patterns like Jhaptaal. My son Raviteja and my brother Puttaraj often join to provide tabla accompaniment. This helps you understand the concept of 'Sawal-Jawab' (call and response) in a real performance setting. I believe music is incomplete if it stays within four walls. That is why I encourage all my students to perform in our Alaap Sangeet Sabha gatherings. It gives you the confidence to share your music, which is the true test of any taleem. Whether you are a child or an adult managing work, my goal is to help you find your own sound and the guts to share it. ## About Vijay Gonahal I am Vijay. My life revolves around the sitar, from early morning practice to the late-night baithaks with my students. I treat everyone who comes to learn, whether a young child or a busy professional, like family. [See all of Vijay Gonahal's services](https://mytribe.in/gonahalu) ## More from Hindustani Sitar Lessons by Vijay Gonahal - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/gonahalu/hindustani-sitar-lessons/featured) - [Student Performances & Progress](https://mytribe.in/gonahalu/hindustani-sitar-lessons/student-performances-progress) - [Alaap Sangeet Sabha: Our Community](https://mytribe.in/gonahalu/hindustani-sitar-lessons/alaap-sangeet-sabha-our-community) - [My Performances & Collaborations](https://mytribe.in/gonahalu/hindustani-sitar-lessons/my-performances-collaborations) - [Grand Sitar Symphony: Professional Concerts](https://mytribe.in/gonahalu/hindustani-sitar-lessons/grand-sitar-symphony-professional-concerts) - [Concerts, Baithaks & Announcements](https://mytribe.in/gonahalu/hindustani-sitar-lessons/concerts-baithaks-announcements) ## More services by Vijay Gonahal - [Live Sitar Performances](https://mytribe.in/gonahalu/live-sitar-performances) ## Similar work from other experts - [Sitar Classes: Learning the Guru-Shishya Way](https://mytribe.in/shubhrodeep.pathak/sitar-lessons/my-teaching-the-guru-shishya-parampara) by Shubhrodeep Pathak · Sitar Lessons · Online classes available; In-person at Sector 82 studio or across Delhi NCR - [Learning Sitar the Traditional Way](https://mytribe.in/chintankatti/sitar-training/a-legacy-of-music-the-guru-shishya-tradition) by Chintan Katti · Sitar Training · Online classes available; In-person training in Mumbai - [Mastering Indian Classical Raags: Sitar Classes with Hardik Verma](https://mytribe.in/hardikvermaa/sitar-zitar-lessons/deep-dive-into-classical-raags) by Hardik Verma · Sitar & Zitar Lessons · Online classes globally; In-person classes in Mumbai and Varanasi - [Raga Riyāz: Mastering Classical Sitar Techniques](https://mytribe.in/the_sitar_dude/sitar-lessons/raga-riy-z-a-deep-dive-into-classical-sitar) by Arjun Anand · Sitar Lessons · Online classes and home tuitions in Bengaluru - [The Guru-Shishya Parampara: Authentic Hindustani Vocal Training](https://mytribe.in/swarvenimusic/hindustani-vocal-music-classes/the-guru-shishya-parampara-my-teaching-method) by Swarveni Gurukul · Hindustani Vocal Music Classes · Online classes available; Offline at academies in Rohini, Ghaziabad, and Mainpuri - [Learn Hindustani and Carnatic Music](https://mytribe.in/melamusicschool/musical-instrument-lessons/connect-with-your-roots-hindustani-carnatic-music) by Mela Music School · Musical Instrument Lessons · Online and at Studio in Sahakar Nagar, Bengaluru ## Book To book Vijay Gonahal, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Namaste%20Vijay%2C%20I%20am%20interested%20in%20your%20Sitar%20classes%20under%20the%20Guru-Shishya%20Parampara.%20Could%20you%20tell%20me%20more%20about%20your%20batch%20timings%20or%20private%20sessions%3F)