--- url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-gb/place/thanjavur' title: 'Indian Classical Music in Thanjavur' author: name: Anonymous updated: '2026-10-28T15:35:19+00:00' type: website summary: 'Indian classical music in Thanjavur, home of the Thanjavur veena: sitar and Kathak online with KalaSudha, and musicians for gala evenings.' image: 'https://files.kalasudha.com/styles/d12_standard/public/2026-10/thanjavur_0.jpg?VersionId=4_zf58621fa0f456059ae110919_f10738dd41ec8f8a6_d20261029_m011118_c003_v0312041_t0026_u01793236278501&h=d1cb525d&itok=WGKfYDYI' published: true og: site_name: KalaSudha 'image:url': 'https://files.kalasudha.com/styles/d12_standard/public/2026-10/thanjavur_0.jpg?VersionId=4_zf58621fa0f456059ae110919_f10738dd41ec8f8a6_d20261029_m011118_c003_v0312041_t0026_u01793236278501&h=d1cb525d&itok=WGKfYDYI' 'image:secure_url': 'https://files.kalasudha.com/styles/d12_standard/public/2026-10/thanjavur_0.jpg?VersionId=4_zf58621fa0f456059ae110919_f10738dd41ec8f8a6_d20261029_m011118_c003_v0312041_t0026_u01793236278501&h=d1cb525d&itok=WGKfYDYI' 'image:type': image/jpeg 'image:width': '1200' 'image:height': '675' 'image:alt': 'Indian classical music in Thanjavur, with a line drawing of a veena' --- Home of the Thanjavur veena and the court that set the Bharatanatyam recital The Thanjavur veena, and our veena page Sitar or Kathak, three awards # KalaSudha in Thanjavur Thanjavur gave the veena its present form; KalaSudha adds sitar and Kathak online for learners in the city. Hear first about Indian classical music in Thanjavur, or book musicians for a gala. [ Explore concerts ](/en-gb/events?time_filter=all&cities%5B0%5D=thanjavur) [ Bring a concert to Thanjavur ](/en-gb/form/city-concert-request?city=Thanjavur&country=India) View photos Image Thanjavur ## Our reach in Thanjavur A growing community built through live music, trusted partnerships and shared cultural experiences. [ 0 Concerts presented ](/en-gb/events?time_filter=all&cities%5B0%5D=thanjavur) [ 0 Artists featured ](/en-gb/artists?cities%5B0%5D=Thanjavur) [ 0 Venue partners ](/en-gb/venues?city=thanjavur) [ 0 Audience reached ](/en-gb/place/thanjavur/register-interest) What's next in Thanjavur ## New concerts are being planned Register for Thanjavur updates to hear first, or talk to us about bringing a KalaSudha concert to your venue. [ Register for updates ](/en-gb/place/thanjavur/register-interest) ### Be part of what comes next Would you like a KalaSudha concert in Thanjavur? Request a performance and tell us how you could help. Every idea is welcome. [ Bring a concert to Thanjavur ](/en-gb/form/city-concert-request?city=Thanjavur&country=India) [ Register for updates ](/en-gb/place/thanjavur/register-interest) ## About KalaSudha in Thanjavur Indian classical music in Thanjavur (Tanjore) gave Carnatic music its main plucked instrument. The present form of the [Saraswati veena](/en-gb/instrumental/carnatic-classical/veena) took shape at the court of Thanjavur in the early 17th century, in the reign of Raghunatha Nayaka, himself a veena player, and the instrument is known as the **Thanjavur veena**. Since 2013 Thanjavur Veenai has been a registered Geographical Indication, protecting the name for instruments made around Thanjavur. Nayaka and then Maratha rulers of Thanjavur patronised music. The court also shaped dance. In the early 19th century the **Thanjavur Quartet**, four brothers at the Maratha court, set the order of the [Bharatanatyam](/en-gb/dance/bharatanatyam) recital and composed many varnams. In the order the Quartet set, the tillana, a brisk rhythmic piece, comes as the pure-dance item near the close. Sitar and Kathak learners in Thanjavur can study on KalaSudha's [online courses](/en-gb/courses), which teach every other discipline too, and a KalaSudha certificate or diploma closes each level. Thanjavur's own workshops and summer camps start when the local sign-up list is long enough. Learners from other teachers may be assessed against KalaSudha's skill milestones on request. Press **Register for updates** on this page to hear first about KalaSudha concerts and workshops in Thanjavur. Why Thanjavur ## What sets KalaSudha apart in Thanjavur - ### The Thanjavur veena, and our veena page The Thanjavur design fixed 24 frets on the veena, twelve to the octave, where earlier veenas carried fewer than twenty movable frets. KalaSudha's veena page explains the instrument, and its online academy teaches every discipline. - ### Sitar or Kathak, three awards Thanjavur learners can take sitar or Kathak online with KalaSudha, a string instrument or a dance on the same ladder. It runs from the Sthayi Certificate through the Antara Diploma to the Sanchari Advanced Diploma. - ### Musicians for a gala evening Companies anywhere in the world can open a gala evening with KalaSudha musicians, and Kathak dancers can perform with them. You receive a proposal and a quote in reply. - ### Dhrupad on record, Thanjavur news first KalaSudha's listening page holds a dhrupad album and dhrupad concert videos among its recordings. Add your name to the newsletter or tap Register for updates, and you are among the first to know about KalaSudha in Thanjavur. ## FAQs about Thanjavur Where can I hear live Indian classical music in Thanjavur, and how do I hear about KalaSudha concerts there? KalaSudha presents Indian classical music for listeners in Thanjavur. To hear first about its concerts and workshops in the city, press **Register for updates** on KalaSudha's Thanjavur page or join the KalaSudha newsletter. To listen now, the [listening page](/en-gb/listen-to-indian-classical-music) leads to KalaSudha's studio and live concert recordings and its concert videos. Can I learn Indian classical music online and in person with KalaSudha in Thanjavur? Yes, learners in Thanjavur can study Indian classical music with KalaSudha online now. KalaSudha's online academy offers classes in every discipline of Indian classical music, and keeps adding specialised courses and teachers. The courses are **hybrid**. When enough learners in Thanjavur sign up, KalaSudha brings physical workshops and summer camps to Thanjavur, so you can learn online and in person. Start with the [online courses](/en-gb/courses). Where can I take sitar or Kathak lessons in Thanjavur, online or in person? Learners in Thanjavur can take sitar or Kathak lessons on KalaSudha's online courses, built by each instructor with KalaSudha. Each topic credits named skills. Foundation leads to the Sthayi Certificate in [sitar](/en-gb/instrumental/hindustani-classical/sitar) or [Kathak](/en-gb/dance/kathak), and an award earned on a course names your teacher and tradition. When enough Thanjavur learners sign up, KalaSudha brings workshops and summer camps to the city. Can I book Indian classical musicians for a wedding, a gala or a private event in Thanjavur? Yes, KalaSudha provides Indian classical musicians anywhere in the world for weddings, private and corporate events. Companies book them for gala evenings, and Kathak dancers can join. Press **Send an enquiry** on the [weddings and events page](/en-gb/indian-classical-musicians-for-weddings-and-events), and KalaSudha replies with a proposal and a quote. Festivals and venues book through [KalaSudha's booking page](/en-gb/book-indian-classical-musicians). How can I meet other people in Thanjavur who love Indian classical music? Indian classical music lovers in Thanjavur can find each other through KalaSudha. Press **Register for updates** on KalaSudha's Thanjavur page, or join the KalaSudha newsletter, to hear first about concerts and workshops in Thanjavur. You do not have to wait to learn with others. KalaSudha's [online classes](/en-gb/courses) put you alongside learners of your discipline now. Can I earn a certificate or diploma in Indian classical music by learning online? Yes, you can earn an Indian classical music certificate online with KalaSudha. It awards its own certificate or diploma at each of three taught levels, in every music and dance discipline it teaches online. Foundation leads to the **Sthayi Certificate**, Intermediate to the **Antara Diploma** and Advanced to the **Sanchari Advanced Diploma**. Above them sits the Abhog Fellowship, which KalaSudha awards and no course teaches. Every award names its discipline and the skills you attained. A learner of any teacher, in any country, can also ask KalaSudha for an assessment. The [Indian classical music certificates](/en-gb/indian-classical-music-certificates) page explains how each level is assessed. Where can I listen to KalaSudha's Indian classical music recordings and watch its concert videos online? KalaSudha's recordings and concert videos play online on its own pages. Start at [Listen to Indian classical music](/en-gb/listen-to-indian-classical-music), which leads to its studio and live concert recordings and to its concert videos. If you are new to the music, start with an alap, the slow, unmetred opening of a raga, in an evening raga such as Yaman. Then try a tabla solo or a live concert set. Can I buy a sitar or a tabla from KalaSudha, and does KalaSudha deliver and service it? Yes, you can buy a sitar or tabla from KalaSudha. It sells sitars and tablas built in close collaboration with the makers, by quote or made to order, and delivers them worldwide. It packs every instrument for international shipping. KalaSudha also services and repairs any sitar or tabla, wherever you bought it, worldwide. For strings, parts, cases or a size for a younger learner, ask KalaSudha. See the [instruments](/en-gb/instruments) page to start. Stay close ## Keep KalaSudha close. Receive news of concerts, learning opportunities, recordings and the work taking shape at KalaSudha. - Concert news - ·Learning opportunities - ·Recordings and stories We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.