--- url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-pk/course/tabla/intermediate' title: 'Intermediate tabla course: relas and accompaniment | KalaSudha' author: name: rajeevk url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-pk/user/4add8741a490747f' date: '2026-11-01T00:48:09+00:00' updated: '2026-11-05T22:35:01+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' --- 1. [1Foundation](/en-pk/course/tabla/foundation) 2. --- 2Intermediate 3. --- [3Advanced](/en-pk/course/tabla/advanced) Tabla Prepared by KalaSudha # Intermediate Tabla Intermediate tabla, prepared by KalaSudha: kayda and rela development, Jhaptal, Ektal and Rupak, fixed forms and accompanying singers, instruments and dance. [Talk to an Advisor](/en-pk/form/learner-enquiry?source_entity_type=node&source_entity_id=1823) [See the modules ](#curriculum) Your path9–15 months Modules2A–2C LessonsOne-to-one or in a group Ends inA KalaSudha certificate Overview ## About Intermediate **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. Read the full overviewShow less 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-pk/gharana/farrukhabad-gharana). Your path is 12 topics per module. As a typical guide, Intermediate takes 9–15 months, and you agree the pace with your teacher. The level ends with a twelve-minute solo and accompaniment set and leads to a KalaSudha award (see [certificates](/en-pk/indian-classical-music-certificates)). [Ask about Intermediate in the Academy](/en-pk/academy). ### What you will be able to do - 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. ### Before you start - 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. [Ask about placement ](/en-pk/form/learner-enquiry?source_entity_type=node&source_entity_id=1823) Modules ## 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. 1. 2A ### Module 2A: Kayda development and technique 8 core + 4 teacher-set from 18 topics 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. 1. 1 Review Technique and Design a DrillCore Diagnose hand tension or uneven articulation and design a drill from your recording. 2. 2 Bayan Pitch and Sound BalanceCore Shape bayan movement while keeping the dayan clear at two dynamic levels. 3. 3 Expand a Kayda Within Its RulesCore Develop four paltas of a teacher-selected kayda while preserving its permitted vocabulary. 4. 4 Rela Clarity at Two TemposCore Play a teacher-selected rela phrase at two agreed tempos without losing articulation. 5. 5 Notate and Recite a Full KaydaCore Write a theme, four paltas and a tihai, then recite them from your notation. 6. 6 Compare Six Gharanas Through ExamplesCore Compare attributed phrases from all six gharanas, using technique and development as evidence. 7. 7 Guided Rehearsal: Kayda Development and TechniqueCore Rehearse your kayda and rela set and correct one fault using teacher feedback. 8. 8 Review and Presentation: Kayda Development and TechniqueCore Present your kayda and rela set and discuss your preparation and corrections with the assessor. 9. 1 A Second Kayda FamilyElective Learn a kayda with different bol grouping and compare its palta rules. 10. 2 Bayan Movement DrillElective Practise a repeated pitch movement without shifting the pulse. 11. 3 Sight-Read a Kayda PhraseElective Read an unfamiliar short kayda phrase from supplied notation. 12. 4 Build a Speed LadderElective Set three practice tempos and increase speed after each clear take. 13. 5 Delhi: Kinar articulation in a kayda phraseElective Practise kinar articulation in a kayda phrase through a Delhi teacher-approved example. 14. 6 Ajrada: Bayan coordination in a kayda phraseElective Practise bayan coordination in a kayda phrase through a Ajrada teacher-approved example. 15. 7 Lucknow: Purab articulation in a short phraseElective Practise Purab articulation in a short phrase through a Lucknow teacher-approved example. 16. 8 Farrukhabad: Articulation and flow in a rela phraseElective Practise articulation and flow in a rela phrase through a Farrukhabad teacher-approved example. 17. 9 Benares: Bol projection in a baant phraseElective Practise bol projection in a baant phrase through a Benares teacher-approved example. 18. 10 Punjab: Coordination in a pakhawaj-related phraseElective Practise coordination in a pakhawaj-related phrase through a Punjab teacher-approved example. Show 14 more topics Your teacher fills 4 slots from the electives, their own topics or both. 2. 2B ### Module 2B: Talas and compositional forms 8 core + 4 teacher-set from 18 topics 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. 1. 1 Review Cycle and Sound ControlCore Check the main cycle and bol balance before extending the tala vocabulary. 2. 2 Jhaptal and EktalCore Learn the suggested ten- and twelve-beat thekas with their hand-counts and characteristic divisions. 3. 3 Rupak and a Khali OpeningCore Play the suggested Rupak theka and place a taught phrase within its seven-beat cycle. 4. 4 Recognise and Perform Fixed FormsCore Compare a gat, tukra and paran, then perform two teacher-selected short examples. 5. 5 Simple Chakradar and Tihai PlacementCore Calculate a simple chakradar and place a taught tihai from two starting beats. 6. 6 Dugun, Tigun and ChaugunCore Recite and play a short phrase at two, three and four strokes per beat against a fixed cycle. 7. 7 Guided Rehearsal: Talas and Compositional FormsCore Rehearse your multi-tala repertoire set and correct one fault using teacher feedback. 8. 8 Review and Presentation: Talas and Compositional FormsCore Present your multi-tala repertoire set and discuss your preparation and corrections with the assessor. 9. 1 Deepchandi for a SongElective Learn the suggested Deepchandi theka and place a short song over it. 10. 2 Tilwada Beside TeentaalElective Compare the suggested Tilwada and Teentaal through their divisions and phrasing. 11. 3 Laggi and ReturnElective Develop a short laggi from the suggested Dadra or Keherwa. 12. 4 Dhamar as Comparative StudyElective Compare the suggested Dhamar cycle on a pakhawaj recording with a tabla treatment. 13. 5 Delhi: Kayda and peshkar examplesElective Learn kayda and peshkar examples from a documented Delhi teaching version. 14. 6 Ajrada: An attributed kayda and its paltasElective Learn an attributed kayda and its paltas from a documented Ajrada teaching version. 15. 7 Lucknow: A gat and a Kathak-related tukraElective Learn a gat and a Kathak-related tukra from a documented Lucknow teaching version. 16. 8 Farrukhabad: An attributed gat and chalanElective Learn an attributed gat and chalan from a documented Farrukhabad teaching version. 17. 9 Benares: An uthan and a short fardElective Learn an uthan and a short fard from a documented Benares teaching version. 18. 10 Punjab: An attributed rela and gatElective Learn an attributed rela and gat from a documented Punjab teaching version. Show 14 more topics Your teacher fills 4 slots from the electives, their own topics or both. 3. 2C ### Module 2C: Accompanying musicians and dance 8 core + 4 teacher-set from 14 topics 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. 1. 1 Plan Practice for AccompanimentCore Review a duet recording and design a drill for one recurring accompaniment fault. 2. 2 Tune and Hear the Melodic ContextCore Tune to a partner, locate Sa, Ma and Pa, and recognise three taught raga phrases used in accompaniment. 3. 3 Follow a Singer to SamCore Hold theka under a bandish and respond to its mukhda without covering the voice. 4. 4 Accompany an Instrumental GatCore Support a gat through one cued tempo change while matching the soloist's volume. 5. 5 Read Kathak CuesCore Recite a short dance composition and accompany its entry and ending from the dancer's cues. 6. 6 Light Forms and Phrase ExchangesCore Play a teacher-selected laggi and exchange short phrases without taking over the melody. 7. 7 Guided Rehearsal: Accompanying Musicians and DanceCore Rehearse your twelve-minute solo and accompaniment assessment and correct one fault using teacher feedback. 8. 8 Review and Presentation: Accompanying Musicians and DanceCore Present your twelve-minute solo and accompaniment assessment and discuss your preparation and corrections with the assessor. 9. 1 Vilambit Khayal SupportElective Hold a slow theka beneath a teacher-supplied khayal recording. 10. 2 Ghazal and Thumri ContextsElective Compare light-classical phrasing and choose a restrained laggi for a supplied excerpt. 11. 3 Follow Two PartnersElective Balance tabla with a singer and melodic accompanist. 12. 4 Carnatic Counting ComparisonElective Compare a supplied Carnatic counting exercise with a Hindustani cycle. 13. 5 Playing to a ClickElective Hold a teacher-selected pattern against a click without flattening its phrasing. 14. 6 Accompaniment Listening DiaryElective Annotate an accompaniment recording for volume, cues and silences. Show 10 more topics Your teacher fills 4 slots from the electives, their own topics or both. Why Intermediate ## What Intermediate builds - ### 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. Lessons ## Ways to learn ### One-to-one Learn at your own pace. You book online lessons through KalaSudha in your own time zone. [Register interest in 1:1 lessons ](/en-pk/course/tabla/intermediate/show-interest) ### In a group Learn in a group on a timetable. [Ask about group lessons ](/en-pk/form/learner-enquiry?source_entity_type=node&source_entity_id=1823) Questions ## Questions about Intermediate Entry, pace, assessment and what you show to finish the level. ### 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. ### Still have questions? Our support team can help you find the right answer. [Contact support](/en-pk/form/learner-enquiry?source_entity_type=node&source_entity_id=1823) Next steps ## Ready to begin Intermediate? Tell us what you want to learn and where you are today. An academy advisor will help you find a good next step. [Talk to an Advisor](/en-pk/form/learner-enquiry?source_entity_type=node&source_entity_id=1823) [ Back to Tabla](/en-pk/course/tabla) Next level ### Advanced [Explore Advanced ](/en-pk/course/tabla/advanced)