KalaSudha in Varanasi
Benares tabla began here; KalaSudha teaches tabla and sitar online to learners in Varanasi. Hear first about Indian classical music in Varanasi, or book a house concert anywhere.
Our reach in Varanasi
A growing community built through live music, trusted partnerships and shared cultural experiences.
New concerts are being planned
Register for Varanasi updates to hear first, or talk to us about bringing a KalaSudha concert to your venue.
About KalaSudha in Varanasi
Indian classical music in Varanasi (Benares) has a tabla school named after the city. The Benares gharana formed there in the late 18th or 19th century, and its playing style is called the Banarsi baj. Its sound is powerful and open, built on resonant strokes such as na and din. A Benares solo opens with an improvised introduction and the uthan, an opening composition, and closes on tukra and paran, short and long fixed compositions.
The city also names a style of thumri, a light classical song. In the Banaras bol banao, the singer works through a short text phrase by phrase, setting one word to changing melodic shapes until its sense and feeling come through.
Tabla learners in Varanasi can start at Foundation on KalaSudha's online courses, which also teach sitar and every other discipline. A certificate or diploma closes each level. KalaSudha also stages concerts, among them the Kala Festival, a touring festival, and publishes recordings and concert videos you can play at home.
Press Register for updates on this page to hear first about KalaSudha concerts and workshops in Varanasi.
Why Varanasi
What sets KalaSudha apart in Varanasi
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Banaras shehnai, and our shehnai page
Banaras Shehnai is a registered Geographical Indication, a protected name for the shehnai of the city. KalaSudha's shehnai page introduces the double-reed instrument, and its online academy offers classes in every discipline.
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Sitar or tabla, three awards
Varanasi learners can take sitar or tabla online with KalaSudha and earn three awards in turn: the Sthayi Certificate, the Antara Diploma and the Sanchari Advanced Diploma. Above the taught levels sits the Abhog Fellowship.
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A house concert in your home
Anywhere in the world, KalaSudha can bring a sitar or another melody player with tabla to your home for a house concert, a family gathering or a wedding. Press Send an enquiry on the weddings and events page for a proposal and a quote.
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Harmonium on record, Varanasi news first
On KalaSudha's listening page you can play an album with harmonium. Press Register for updates or join the newsletter, and you get first word of what KalaSudha does in Varanasi.
FAQs about Varanasi
Where can I hear live Indian classical music in Varanasi, and how do I hear about KalaSudha concerts there?
KalaSudha presents Indian classical music for listeners in Varanasi. To hear first about its concerts and workshops in the city, press Register for updates on KalaSudha's Varanasi page or join the KalaSudha newsletter.
KalaSudha's recordings and concert videos play online now, from its listening page.
Can I learn Indian classical music online and in person with KalaSudha in Varanasi?
Yes, learners in Varanasi 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 Varanasi sign up, KalaSudha brings physical workshops and summer camps to Varanasi, so you can learn online and in person.
See the online courses to start.
Where can I take sitar or tabla lessons in Varanasi, online or in person?
Varanasi learners can take sitar or tabla lessons on KalaSudha's online courses, starting at Foundation. Each course is built by its instructor with KalaSudha and vetted by top educationists.
Foundation leads to the Sthayi Certificate in sitar or tabla, and an award earned on a course names your teacher and tradition. When enough Varanasi learners sign up, KalaSudha brings workshops and summer camps to the city.
Can I book Indian classical musicians for a wedding, a house concert or a private event in Varanasi?
Yes, KalaSudha provides Indian classical musicians anywhere in the world for weddings, private and corporate events, and for a house concert in your home. A melody player with tabla is the usual format.
Press Send an enquiry on the weddings and events page for a proposal and a quote. Festivals and venues book through KalaSudha's booking page.
How can I meet other people in Varanasi who love Indian classical music?
Indian classical music lovers in Varanasi can find each other through KalaSudha. Press Register for updates on KalaSudha's Varanasi page, or join the KalaSudha newsletter, to hear first about concerts and workshops in Varanasi.
KalaSudha's online classes put you alongside other 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 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, 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 page to start.