There’s been a sudden flurry of activity at the Taal Inc. School of Rhythm. We’ve re-started our djembe classes in Pune and in addition to our monthly community drum circle activity, we’ve got a lot of options for you to choose from. Let’s get to know these in more detail. 

To enhance the quality of the recreational drum circles in Pune, it would be a good idea to register for our ongoing djembe classes and dive into the world of West African percussion. In our previous blogs I’ve written about the difference between a djembe class and a drum circle. So by now, my regular readers know that one compliments the other… The djembe classes will teach you the traditional West African way to play the djembe; an instrument that is the flag bearer of Mandingue percussion. This in turn will help you play more interesting rhythmic phrases in the drum circle activities that you participate in thereby enhancing the group drumming benefits that you experience.

Djembe Classes in Baner Pune

We’ve started ongoing djembe classes at the Head, Heart, Hands Learning Foundation in Baner and at Artsphere in Kalyani Nagar. Class dates and timings are as follows

Baner: Mondays & Wednesdays from 6-7pm and Sundays from 4-5 pm

Kalyani Nagar: Fridays and Sundays from 6-7pm

Registration link for the classes: https://rzp.io/l/PnZ4so8JH

In addition to these ongoing djembe classes in Pune, we have Community Drum Circles on the fourth Sunday of every month at Pune Handmade Papers (located centrally in Pune). This is a community building activity that brings people from all walks of life together. If you ever want to first only dip your toes into the ocean of group drumming, then this session is for you. We have a short intro djembe workshop before the community drum circle for everyone. After this we make way for the main act which is the drum circle unity. In a drum circle, there isn’t a “correct” or “wrong” way to play since the aim is to focus on the behavioural (non-musical) benefits of the power of rhythm… Hence what is encouraged is openness, expression, participation, tolerance and listening skill. Here’s where we get the experience the therapeutic benefits of group rhythm. My hope is that the drum circle bug bites you and leaves you very curious. The only way to quell this curiosity is to join our classes to learn more rhythms and apply those rhythms in the next drum circle. A never ending cycle

Follow us on our Instagram page @taalinc to keep yourselves updated on our workshops, classes and drum circles… 

You can also join our WhatsApp announcements group where you’ll be the first to know about sessions: https://chat.whatsapp.com/EwEM9XcaUI94pRW16fqBvW

If you’re interested in becoming a certified djembe player or teacher then you’re in the right place because I represent the Late Grandmaster Mamady Këita’s international djembe academy in India. This is the largest network of djembe teachers who have all been through rigorous training with the master himself and work tirelessly to further his mission of spreading traditional West African djembe. 

I’ve recently started Djembe Club India which is a forum that brings together djembe players and enthusiasts alike to help give them a platform to connect, share and learn. 

As you can see, there’s a lot of avenues to learn and experience the magic healing of drums. Where will I see you next?

Come. Drum. Be One. 
Varun Venkit
Team Taal Inc.