Pandit Sharda Sahai

Sharda Sahai was born in Benares in 1935, a direct descendent of Pandit Ram Sahai, the founder of the Benares style ("gharana") of tabla playing. With the inherent gift in his blood of the finest traits of the Benares baj, he began at an early age to learn tabla from his father, the late Pandit Bhagvati Sahai.

This recording features the following tracks:
Tintal
realaudio samples
hi-speed or low-speed

Rupak
hi-speed or low-speed

Ektal
hi-speed or low-speed

The Spirit of Benares
by Pandit Sharda Sahai

Sharda Sahai's performance explores the technical and expressive possibilities of the tabla to its fullest. The performances in Tintal and Rupak tal fallow the most common solo performance sequence said to have been laid down by Pt. Ram Sahai. The final item is in drut (fast) Ektal.

This recording features Ramesh Mishra on sarangi.

Recorded by Mike Blaty, Mixed and Edited by Ray Dillard and Bob Becker

This recording was made possible by the generosity of Tim Richards and Pandit Ram Sahai Sangit Vidyalaya

The Art of the Benares Baj
by Pandit Sharda Sahai

This recording features a single solo in Tintal.

Recorded in Toronto July 26, 1983.

Engineer: Timothy Clark

Pt. Sharda Sahai-tabla

Bob Becker-harmonium lahara

This video features:

Basic Strokes
Basic Kaidas
Rhythmic Phrases
Layakari
Tal
Demonstrations
Live Performance

Play Tabla: A video guide to playing Tabla
with Pandit Sharda Sahai

This video takes you on a journey and begins in Benares, India, at the house of Pandit Ram Sahai, the founder of the Benares school of tabla playing. The introduction to the maestro and teacher Pandit Sharda Sahai is by way of his opening solo tabla performance and many different views of his home city.

The video is divided into eight sections separated by differently coloured peacocks. Each new stroke, phrase and rhythmic composition is taught and notated to allow the viewer to write them down. Explanations ofthe strokes, rhythmic forms and improvisation are provided with the help of voice overs, informal discussions and demonstrations. There are plenty of sessions where you can j oin in playing with us Try it!

Take care to listen to the sound as well as to observe the positions of the fingers and arms in playing the strokes. In this way you will acquire a sound foundation on which to build your technique for playing the tabla.