--- url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-int/course/tabla/intermediate' title: 'Intermediate tabla course: relas and accompaniment | KalaSudha' author: name: rajeevk url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-int/user/fce96177fd193d3a' date: '2026-11-01T00:48:09+00:00' updated: '2026-11-01T03:28:42+00:00' type: website summary: 'Intermediate tabla, prepared by KalaSudha: kayda and rela development, Jhaptal, Ektal and Rupak, fixed forms and accompanying singers, instruments and dance.' tags: - Intermediate - Tabla image: 'https://files.kalasudha.com/styles/d12_standard/public/mcp-imported/Tabla-Course-Lesson-Online-Cohort-KalaSudha.jpg?VersionId=4_zf58621fa0f456059ae110919_f11714ab306680f3e_d20261101_m004803_c003_v0312048_t0050_u01793494083824&h=82966a5b&itok=_c2G9H3Q' published: true og: site_name: KalaSudha 'image:url': 'https://files.kalasudha.com/styles/d12_standard/public/mcp-imported/Tabla-Course-Lesson-Online-Cohort-KalaSudha.jpg?VersionId=4_zf58621fa0f456059ae110919_f11714ab306680f3e_d20261101_m004803_c003_v0312048_t0050_u01793494083824&h=82966a5b&itok=_c2G9H3Q' 'image:secure_url': 'https://files.kalasudha.com/styles/d12_standard/public/mcp-imported/Tabla-Course-Lesson-Online-Cohort-KalaSudha.jpg?VersionId=4_zf58621fa0f456059ae110919_f11714ab306680f3e_d20261101_m004803_c003_v0312048_t0050_u01793494083824&h=82966a5b&itok=_c2G9H3Q' 'image:type': image/jpeg 'image:width': '1200' 'image:height': '675' 'image:alt': 'A tabla player in a blue kurta plays the dayan and bayan on a patterned rug, with a notebook of bols beside him and a learner watching' --- Intermediate Level — Tabla Intermediate Levels 2A–2C Tabla · Tabla # Intermediate Tabla Intermediate tabla, prepared by KalaSudha: kayda and rela development, Jhaptal, Ektal and Rupak, fixed forms and accompanying singers, instruments and dance. - 3 modules - 36 topics [ Show interest ](/en-int/course/tabla/intermediate/show-interest) [ View curriculum ](#curriculum) What you'll master ## Skills you will carry forward - Develop a kayda through four paltas that keep its permitted bols, and notate it. - Play a rela phrase at two agreed tempos with every bol clear. - Recite and play the suggested Jhaptal, Ektal and Rupak thekas without confusing their counts. - Place a simple chakradar and a tihai from two starting beats so each lands on sam. - Hold theka beneath a singer, an instrumental gat and a Kathak dancer, following their cues. ## About this course **Intermediate tabla** widens what you play and who you play with, once you can hold a theka and develop a first kayda. You enter after Foundation or a placement session that shows the same skills. It is the second level of the tabla course prepared by KalaSudha. Module 2A develops kaydas within their rules, rela clarity at two tempos and bayan pitch movement. You notate a full kayda and compare the six gharanas through examples. Module 2B adds the suggested Jhaptal, Ektal and Rupak, fixed forms such as the gat, tukra and paran, a simple chakradar, and dugun, tigun and chaugun. Module 2C is about **accompaniment**. You tune to a partner, follow a singer to sam beneath a bandish, support an instrumental gat through a tempo change and read a Kathak dancer's cues. Light forms such as laggi teach you to leave space for the words. In a cohort, learners trade phrase exchanges with each other and hear how each one supports the same partner. Modules 2A and 2B each have ten electives, including one for each school, such as [Farrukhabad](/en-int/gharana/farrukhabad-gharana). Your path is 12 topics per module. The level ends with a twelve-minute solo and accompaniment set and leads to a KalaSudha award (see [certificates](/en-int/indian-classical-music-certificates)). [Ask about Intermediate in the Academy](/en-int/academy). Your learning journey ## The three Intermediate modules Intermediate widens your repertoire, your cycles and your partners. The first two modules develop forms and talas, and the third applies them in accompaniment and the twelve-minute review. - ### Module 2A: kayda development and technique Diagnose a technique fault and design a drill for it. Shape bayan pitch at two dynamic levels and expand a kayda through four paltas. Play a rela at two tempos, notate a full kayda and compare the six gharanas through examples. - ### Module 2B: talas and compositional forms Learn the suggested Jhaptal and Ektal, then Rupak with its khali opening. Compare a gat, tukra and paran. Calculate a simple chakradar, place a tihai from two starting beats, and recite and play in dugun, tigun and chaugun. - ### Module 2C: accompanying musicians and dance Tune to a partner and recognise taught raga phrases. Hold theka under a bandish and reach sam with the singer. Support an instrumental gat through a tempo change, read Kathak cues and exchange phrases in light forms. Your learning journey ## Curriculum 36 topics Antara · 2A Kayda Development and Technique Antara · 2B Talas and Compositional Forms Antara · 2C Accompanying Musicians and Dance ### Antara 2A · Kayda Development and Technique 18 available topics; 12 on your path. #### Core topics Every learner takes these 8 1. Topic 01 #### Review Technique and Design a Drill Diagnose hand tension or uneven articulation and design a drill from your recording. **Ready to move on when:** Show the fault, practise the drill over three logged sessions, and record an audible improvement. 2. Topic 02 #### Bayan Pitch and Sound Balance Shape bayan movement while keeping the dayan clear at two dynamic levels. **Ready to move on when:** Repeat the phrase at both levels with audible pitch movement and without masking the dayan. 3. Topic 03 #### Expand a Kayda Within Its Rules Develop four paltas of a teacher-selected kayda while preserving its permitted vocabulary. **Ready to move on when:** Play four paltas and their returns, identifying any added or reordered bol allowed by the teaching version. 4. Topic 04 #### Rela Clarity at Two Tempos Play a teacher-selected rela phrase at two agreed tempos without losing articulation. **Ready to move on when:** Sustain eight cycles at each logged tempo with clear bols and no change in cycle length. 5. Topic 05 #### Notate and Recite a Full Kayda Write a theme, four paltas and a tihai, then recite them from your notation. **Ready to move on when:** Give another learner notation they can recite with the intended beat positions and ending. 6. Topic 06 #### Compare Six Gharanas Through Examples Compare attributed phrases from all six gharanas, using technique and development as evidence. **Ready to move on when:** Explain one supported feature for each school and two differences between selected excerpts, with source labels. 7. Topic 07 #### Guided Rehearsal: Kayda Development and Technique Rehearse your kayda and rela set and correct one fault using teacher feedback. **Ready to move on when:** Complete a full rehearsal, identify a fault with a timestamp, and demonstrate its correction. 8. Topic 08 #### Review and Presentation: Kayda Development and Technique Present your kayda and rela set and discuss your preparation and corrections with the assessor. **Ready to move on when:** Present the kayda and rela set without losing the cycle, explain one choice, and recover from any slip. #### Electives Your teacher fills 4 open slots from these electives, their own topics or both. - Elective #### A Second Kayda Family Learn a kayda with different bol grouping and compare its palta rules. **Ready to move on when:** Present both families and explain two permitted differences in development. - Elective #### Bayan Movement Drill Practise a repeated pitch movement without shifting the pulse. **Ready to move on when:** Sustain eight cycles with the same pitch contour and clear dayan attacks. - Elective #### Sight-Read a Kayda Phrase Read an unfamiliar short kayda phrase from supplied notation. **Ready to move on when:** Recite and play two cycles after a short preparation with no displaced beat. - Elective #### Build a Speed Ladder Set three practice tempos and increase speed after each clear take. **Ready to move on when:** Record all three tempos without an omitted bol and explain when to step back. - Elective #### Delhi: Kinar articulation in a kayda phrase Practise kinar articulation in a kayda phrase through a Delhi teacher-approved example. **Ready to move on when:** Recite and play the selected phrase at two agreed tempos, explain its technique, and name the teaching source. - Elective #### Ajrada: Bayan coordination in a kayda phrase Practise bayan coordination in a kayda phrase through a Ajrada teacher-approved example. **Ready to move on when:** Recite and play the selected phrase at two agreed tempos, explain its technique, and name the teaching source. - Elective #### Lucknow: Purab articulation in a short phrase Practise Purab articulation in a short phrase through a Lucknow teacher-approved example. **Ready to move on when:** Recite and play the selected phrase at two agreed tempos, explain its technique, and name the teaching source. - Elective #### Farrukhabad: Articulation and flow in a rela phrase Practise articulation and flow in a rela phrase through a Farrukhabad teacher-approved example. **Ready to move on when:** Recite and play the selected phrase at two agreed tempos, explain its technique, and name the teaching source. - Elective #### Benares: Bol projection in a baant phrase Practise bol projection in a baant phrase through a Benares teacher-approved example. **Ready to move on when:** Recite and play the selected phrase at two agreed tempos, explain its technique, and name the teaching source. - Elective #### Punjab: Coordination in a pakhawaj-related phrase Practise coordination in a pakhawaj-related phrase through a Punjab teacher-approved example. **Ready to move on when:** Recite and play the selected phrase at two agreed tempos, explain its technique, and name the teaching source. ### Antara 2B · Talas and Compositional Forms 18 available topics; 12 on your path. #### Core topics Every learner takes these 8 1. Topic 01 #### Review Cycle and Sound Control Check the main cycle and bol balance before extending the tala vocabulary. **Ready to move on when:** Play four cycles with clear khali and correct one sound imbalance from a recorded take. 2. Topic 02 #### Jhaptal and Ektal Learn the suggested ten- and twelve-beat thekas with their hand-counts and characteristic divisions. **Ready to move on when:** Recite and play four cycles of each without confusing the beat counts or khali positions. 3. Topic 03 #### Rupak and a Khali Opening Play the suggested Rupak theka and place a taught phrase within its seven-beat cycle. **Ready to move on when:** Mark its opening gesture and play four cycles followed by the phrase landing on sam. 4. Topic 04 #### Recognise and Perform Fixed Forms Compare a gat, tukra and paran, then perform two teacher-selected short examples. **Ready to move on when:** Explain the distinction between development and fixed composition and recite and play both examples with correct endings. 5. Topic 05 #### Simple Chakradar and Tihai Placement Calculate a simple chakradar and place a taught tihai from two starting beats. **Ready to move on when:** Write the beat arithmetic and demonstrate both starts with the final stroke on sam. 6. Topic 06 #### Dugun, Tigun and Chaugun Recite and play a short phrase at two, three and four strokes per beat against a fixed cycle. **Ready to move on when:** Maintain hand-count through each density, then return to the theka on a cue. 7. Topic 07 #### Guided Rehearsal: Talas and Compositional Forms Rehearse your multi-tala repertoire set and correct one fault using teacher feedback. **Ready to move on when:** Complete a full rehearsal, identify a fault with a timestamp, and demonstrate its correction. 8. Topic 08 #### Review and Presentation: Talas and Compositional Forms Present your multi-tala repertoire set and discuss your preparation and corrections with the assessor. **Ready to move on when:** Present the multi-tala repertoire set without losing the cycle, explain one choice, and recover from any slip. #### Electives Your teacher fills 4 open slots from these electives, their own topics or both. - Elective #### Deepchandi for a Song Learn the suggested Deepchandi theka and place a short song over it. **Ready to move on when:** Play six cycles and follow the singer's return twice. - Elective #### Tilwada Beside Teentaal Compare the suggested Tilwada and Teentaal through their divisions and phrasing. **Ready to move on when:** Recite both and play four cycles of each without substituting the other theka. - Elective #### Laggi and Return Develop a short laggi from the suggested Dadra or Keherwa. **Ready to move on when:** Play two variations and return to theka after a counted tihai. - Elective #### Dhamar as Comparative Study Compare the suggested Dhamar cycle on a pakhawaj recording with a tabla treatment. **Ready to move on when:** Mark four cycles and explain the difference between the instruments and performance contexts. - Elective #### Delhi: Kayda and peshkar examples Learn kayda and peshkar examples from a documented Delhi teaching version. **Ready to move on when:** Recite and play the selected examples with correct endings and identify their source and permitted variants. - Elective #### Ajrada: An attributed kayda and its paltas Learn an attributed kayda and its paltas from a documented Ajrada teaching version. **Ready to move on when:** Recite and play the selected examples with correct endings and identify their source and permitted variants. - Elective #### Lucknow: A gat and a Kathak-related tukra Learn a gat and a Kathak-related tukra from a documented Lucknow teaching version. **Ready to move on when:** Recite and play the selected examples with correct endings and identify their source and permitted variants. - Elective #### Farrukhabad: An attributed gat and chalan Learn an attributed gat and chalan from a documented Farrukhabad teaching version. **Ready to move on when:** Recite and play the selected examples with correct endings and identify their source and permitted variants. - Elective #### Benares: An uthan and a short fard Learn an uthan and a short fard from a documented Benares teaching version. **Ready to move on when:** Recite and play the selected examples with correct endings and identify their source and permitted variants. - Elective #### Punjab: An attributed rela and gat Learn an attributed rela and gat from a documented Punjab teaching version. **Ready to move on when:** Recite and play the selected examples with correct endings and identify their source and permitted variants. ### Antara 2C · Accompanying Musicians and Dance 14 available topics; 12 on your path. #### Core topics Every learner takes these 8 1. Topic 01 #### Plan Practice for Accompaniment Review a duet recording and design a drill for one recurring accompaniment fault. **Ready to move on when:** Log three sessions, compare recordings, and show improved balance or cue response. 2. Topic 02 #### Tune and Hear the Melodic Context Tune to a partner, locate Sa, Ma and Pa, and recognise three taught raga phrases used in accompaniment. **Ready to move on when:** Match the partner's pitch, reproduce the three swaras, and identify the taught raga examples by their reference phrases. 3. Topic 03 #### Follow a Singer to Sam Hold theka under a bandish and respond to its mukhda without covering the voice. **Ready to move on when:** Support eight cycles, identify the sung return, and reach sam with the singer twice. 4. Topic 04 #### Accompany an Instrumental Gat Support a gat through one cued tempo change while matching the soloist's volume. **Ready to move on when:** Maintain the cycle across the cue and recover from a deliberate missed entry within one cycle. 5. Topic 05 #### Read Kathak Cues Recite a short dance composition and accompany its entry and ending from the dancer's cues. **Ready to move on when:** Support two runs of the agreed item and land both endings with the dancer. 6. Topic 06 #### Light Forms and Phrase Exchanges Play a teacher-selected laggi and exchange short phrases without taking over the melody. **Ready to move on when:** Support a short song, leave space for its words, and complete two exchanges returning to theka. 7. Topic 07 #### Guided Rehearsal: Accompanying Musicians and Dance Rehearse your twelve-minute solo and accompaniment assessment and correct one fault using teacher feedback. **Ready to move on when:** Complete a full rehearsal, identify a fault with a timestamp, and demonstrate its correction. 8. Topic 08 #### Review and Presentation: Accompanying Musicians and Dance Present your twelve-minute solo and accompaniment assessment and discuss your preparation and corrections with the assessor. **Ready to move on when:** Present the twelve-minute solo and accompaniment assessment without losing the cycle, explain one choice, and recover from any slip. #### Electives Your teacher fills 4 open slots from these electives, their own topics or both. - Elective #### Vilambit Khayal Support Hold a slow theka beneath a teacher-supplied khayal recording. **Ready to move on when:** Support five minutes without shortening the cycle or covering the words. - Elective #### Ghazal and Thumri Contexts Compare light-classical phrasing and choose a restrained laggi for a supplied excerpt. **Ready to move on when:** Support two excerpts and explain where you left space for the singer. - Elective #### Follow Two Partners Balance tabla with a singer and melodic accompanist. **Ready to move on when:** Complete a short trio item with agreed entries and no unplanned tempo change. - Elective #### Carnatic Counting Comparison Compare a supplied Carnatic counting exercise with a Hindustani cycle. **Ready to move on when:** Mark each example and explain why equal beat totals do not make the systems identical. - Elective #### Playing to a Click Hold a teacher-selected pattern against a click without flattening its phrasing. **Ready to move on when:** Record two minutes at a fixed tempo and hear and correct one drift. - Elective #### Accompaniment Listening Diary Annotate an accompaniment recording for volume, cues and silences. **Ready to move on when:** Submit five timed observations and demonstrate one change in your own playing. Intermediate pathway ## How this level progresses 3 structured modules, taken in order. Modules are taken in sequence 1. 2A Level 2A ### Antara 2A · Kayda Development and Technique Topics 12 topics Activities 63 activities 2. 2B Level 2B ### Antara 2B · Talas and Compositional Forms Topics 12 topics Activities 64 activities 3. 2C Level 2C ### Antara 2C · Accompanying Musicians and Dance Topics 12 topics Activities 43 activities ## Inside Intermediate - ### From kayda to rela Develop kaydas within their rules, then play relas at two tempos. Your teacher checks that the bols stay clear as the speed rises. - ### New cycles and forms Add the suggested Jhaptal, Ektal and Rupak, and learn how developed forms differ from fixed compositions such as the gat and paran. - ### Playing with other artists Follow a singer to sam, support an instrumental gat and read a dancer's cues, matching their volume and leaving space for their line. ## Before you begin - Complete Foundation tabla or show the same skills in a placement session with your teacher. - Be able to hold the suggested Teentaal, Dadra and Keherwa thekas and play a kayda theme with two paltas. ## Frequently asked questions How do I move from beginner to intermediate tabla? You move to Intermediate tabla when you have closed the Foundation topics or shown the same skills in a placement session. Your teacher checks that you hold the main thekas, recite before playing and develop a kayda with paltas and a tihai. Intermediate then adds rela, new talas, fixed compositions and accompaniment. How do I learn to accompany a singer or sitar player on the tabla? Tabla accompaniment comes in module 2C of Intermediate. You tune to your partner, hold theka beneath a bandish and reach sam with the singer without covering the voice. With an instrumental gat you follow one cued tempo change at the soloist's volume. You also read a Kathak dancer's cues for entries and endings. How do I learn relas on the tabla? Tabla relas come in module 2A of Intermediate. Your teacher chooses a rela phrase, and you play it for eight cycles at each of two agreed tempos, keeping every bol clear and the cycle the same length. An elective speed-ladder topic sets three practice tempos; you step up only after a clear take and explain when to step back. How is the Intermediate level of the tabla course assessed? The Intermediate level of the tabla course ends with a twelve-minute review: six minutes of solo and six of accompaniment, with a partner or a reference recording with clear cues. You also submit a written notation and theory portfolio. Your teacher checks the other taught cycles and the three raga references in separate spot checks. Completion needs all sixteen Intermediate skills, not only the presentation. Have more questions? Contact our support team and we'll be happy to help! Next steps ## Ready to begin Intermediate? Begin Intermediate Level. [Explore Advanced Level](/en-int/course/tabla/advanced) [Show interest](/en-int/course/tabla/intermediate/show-interest) [Back to Tabla](/en-int/course/tabla)