Laya Taal Saadhna 2016

On January 23, 2016, over 80 Tabla students of Pt. Shantilal Shah took the stage at the University of Houston’s UC Theater to present the semi-annual Laya Taal Saadhna. This year’s concert was held under the banner of the Indian Music Society of Houston (IMS), and marked the 8th iteration of Laya Taal Saadhna, which began in 2005. 

An audience of almost 400, including respected musicians and dignitaries of Houston, music connoisseurs, family and friends watched as students of all ages and skill levels presented Tabla compositions taught by Guruji. 

Watch it Again

Group Sum

Watch as this young group performs a kaida with paltas and tihaee. Supporting them is Guru Pt. Shantilal Shah with Sri. Mandar Phadke on harmonium.

Group Taal

The group performs performs two pieces, one kaida and one rela. Leading this group is senior student Anuraag Shah with Sri. Mandar Phadke on harmonium. 

Group Anagat

The group performs a kaida rela with paltas and tihaee. Supporting them is Guru Pt. Shantilal Shah with Sri. Mandar Phadke on harmonium.

Group Rela

The group performs a kaida with paltas and tihaee. Supporting them is Guru Pt. Shantilal Shah with Sri. Mandar Phadke on harmonium.

Group Naad

The group performs a full Tabla solo including peshkar, kaida, rela and bandishes with padhant. Accompanying on harmonium is Sri. Mandar Phadke.

Pt. Shantilal Shah is honored by Dr. Virendra Mathur.
In the Press

Audience Reactions

Mr. Sunil Pangarkar, in his review for the India Herald, described the event as follows, “as the groups progressed from Avartan to Ateet and then to Abhivadan, I could not but marvel at the effort by Guruji, needed to repeat an LTS Avartan year after year, in a kind of Circle of Life way. Each year a fresh student with no skill arrives, and similarly a set of students leave for future endeavors, yet the expectation of the audience remains high; and each time the show exceeds that expectation! But more importantly, each year a few students have been positively impacted by the ignition of the inner drive.”