


Start Learning Right Now!
Due to the continuing uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, Taalim continues to teach many of its classes online but we do offer in-person classes as well. We are currently unsure when we can resume our live classes at all our locations as we have been doing for the last 20 years, but in the maps below you can see the locations we expect to continue serving when we deem it safe. Please contact us for current availability.
Reach out to us.

Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY
Tuesday | 6 PM EST
Newport, JERSEY CITY, NJ
Group class: Sunday | 5: 30 PM EST
Other available locations
Midtown Manhattan, NY

Park Slope, Brooklyn, NY
Tuesday | 6 PM EST
Newport, JERSEY CITY, NJ
Sunday | 6 PM EST
Midtown Manhattan, NY
Monday | 7 PM EST

Edison, NJ
Group Class- 1: Monday | 6.30 PM EST
Group Class- 2: Sunday | 9 AM EST
Group Class- 3: Sunday | 10 AaM EST
Other available locations
East Brunswick, NJ
South Brunswick, NJ

Edison, NJ
Group Class- 1: Monday | 6.30 PM EST
Group Class- 2: Sunday | 9 AM EST
Group Class- 3: Sunday | 10 AM EST
Group Class- 4: Wednesday | 6 PM EST
Other available locations
East Brunswick, NJ
South Brunswick, NJ

Bridgewater, NJ
Classes available by appointment only.

Bridgewater, NJ
Group Class : Tuesday | 6.30 PM EST

Allendale, NJ
By appointment only

Allendale, NJ
By appointment only

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ
Classes available by appointment only.

PRINCETON JUNCTION, NJ
Classes available by
appointment only.

Available locations across the region
New Hyde Park, NY
Westhampton Beach, NY
East Hampton, NY
Montauk, NY


Available locations across the region
New Hyde Park, NY
Westhampton Beach, NY
East Hampton, NY
Montauk, NY
Available locations across the region
New Hyde Park, NY
Westhampton Beach, NY
East Hampton, NY
Montauk, NY

Available locations across the region
New Hyde Park, NY
Westhampton Beach, NY
East Hampton, NY
Montauk, NY

Available locations across the region
Charlottesville, VA
Richmond, VA

Available locations across the region
Charlottesville, VA
Classes available by appointment only

About Tabla
Taalim School’s core strength lies in formal instruction in
tabla – the most popular Indian percussion instrument.
Guided by Pandit Divyang Vakil, Taalim School teaches
Delhi, Ajrada, and Punjab gharana of tabla, in addition to
contemporary classical tabla playing and Pandit Vakil’s
own compositions.
Tabla instruction is based on the teaching methodology
developed by Pandit Divyang Vakil, which is a modern
adaptation of the guru-shishya parampara (student-teacher
tradition). Teaching is customized to the needs, skill, and
personality of each student. Even in a group setting, each
student gets individual and targeted attention.
No previous experience with Indian music and/or drumming
is required. Learning tabla and Indian rhythm can add depth
and open new avenues of creativity within one’s own playing
for percussionists and drummers of different drums, such as
cajon, djembe, and drum kit.


What is Tabla?
Tabla is the main rhythmic instrument of North Indian classical music. Its music involves skillfully composed rhythmic patterns,
intriguing compositions, and complex beat structures. The tabla is comprised of two drums, one played by each hand. Each
drum consists of a hollow interior covered with a leather surface. The larger of the two, on which bass tones are produced,
is the baya. The smaller drum is the daya, on which numerous higher-pitched tones are produced. The beauty and
essence of tabla-playing lies in the harmonious balance between the daya and baya.
The tabla is a highly versatile percussion instrument, which is played solo or in accompaniment with just about any
musical instrument in the world.
EDISON, NJ
Group Class - 1: Sunday | 11:30 AM EST (Kids Beginners Level 2)
Group Class - 2: Sunday | 12.30 PM EST (Kids Beginners Level 1)
Group Class - 3: Sunday | 5.00 PM EST (Intermediate & Advanced)
Group Class - 4: Wednesday | 07:30 PM EST (Adults Beginners)

About Kathak
Immerse yourself in the beautiful Indian classical dance form of kathak with
acclaimed dancer, choreographer & teacher Jin Won.Students of all ages
(young children, teenagers, professionals, adults, grandmothers) are welcome
to come enjoy the benefits of this beautiful Indian dance form.Kathak
instruction is based on the teaching methodology developed by Pandit
Divyang Vakil, which is a modern adaptation of the guru-shishya parampara
(studentsts-teacher tradition). Teaching is customized to the needs, skill, and
personality of each student. Even in a group setting, each student gets
individual and targeted attention.At the Taalim School of Indian Music,
students will learn the two major aspects of kathak – nritta (pure dance)
and natya (expressive dance).
Initial training in nritta, begins with basic footwork (tatkar), movements,
and chakars, as well as technical compositions such as tukda, bant, tihais,
gats, etc. As the student advances, the technical repertoire will expand to
include that, uthan, amaad, gat, etc. Given Ms. Won’s background as a tabla
player as well, students will gain a strong understanding of rhythm and the
rhythm plays in music and dance.Natya or the story-telling aspect of kathak
is taught through vandana, thumris and bhajans.In addition to traditional
stories from Indian culture, stories from American culture are also interpreted through kathak to make the dance form more accessible.Throughout our
kathak classes, a strong emphasis is placed on understanding the body through
movement, with a focus on body alignment and posture.As with training in any
other classical dance form, learning kathak instills discipline and focus. While
becoming a professional kathak dancer takes years of training, similar to ballet,
basic to intermediate training in kathak is considered a major asset for all
dancers,especially those interested in Bollywood dance.

What is Kathak?
Kathak is among the major classical dances of India, known for its fast-paced footwork, dizzying spins (known as chakkars), grace, and storytelling. With influences from the Bhakti movement, temple and ritual dances of India, Persian and central Asian dance forms, Kathak emerged from the confluences of cultures over time in northern India. Kathak’s evolution continues as it has made its way into modern Indian dance forms as the most popular classical dance used in Bollywood dancing.

About Taalvidya
Course Highlights
- Understanding of different types of Taal and Laya
- The concept of Upaj
- Various compositions and types of Tihais
- Types of Chhandkari in Kathak
- Layakari and the concept of micro beats
If you belong to a Kathak dance institute/ organization and would like to arrange workshops or Taalvidya sessions by Guruji Pandit Divyang Vakil for your students, contact us at [email protected]

FAQs
Sure! Please share with us some information about your previous learning experience in the Inquiry form or in the mail if you prefer to directly contact us at [email protected]