Can’t Beat It: Student Recital of Laya-Taal-Saadhna - 2009
By Pramod Kulkarni
Last Updated: April 11 2009

Pandit Shantilal Shah (center, black vest) is surrounded by his first batch of students during their annual recital before a full house of parents and well wishers.

HOUSTON: Saadhna is a continuous, disciplined effort undertaken in order to obtain one’s goal. In spiritual terms, it is meditation. In the world of tabla recital, it is the pursuit of excellence as exemplified by the students of Pandit Shantilal Shah.

The fourth annual percussion ensemble on tabla took place on Sunday, April 5th afternoon at the Jones Hall of University of St. Thomas before a capacity audience of parents and well wishers. The 46 students, taking classes in southwest Houston at the Anjali School for Performing Arts, were consolidated into seven groups. Each group was creatively named by Pandit Shah aspects of playing the tabla such as Sum, consisting of beginners, to Anagat, Ateet, Dohra, Hanspad, Naad and ending with Aavartan, the highly accomplished performers.

As the audience realized, all the student groups presented such a picture of dedication and energy that they drew rave reviews even from critical members of the audience such as Pandit Suman Ghosh and Houston’s tabla virtuoso, Govind Shetty. In fact, the end of performance, Pandit Ghosh, said partly in jest, that after watching the children perform, he was glad he didn’t decide to become a tabla player. Sunil Pangarkar served at the event as an enthusiastic master of ceremonies.

Pandit Shantilal Shah is a desciple of Pandit Suresh Talwalkar. His basic taalim was under Pandit Mahadev Prasad Mishra of Banaras.

After working as a tabla guru at the Pandit Jasraj School of Music in Tampa, Florida, he joined Pandit Ghosh in joining the Anjali Center of Performing Arts faculty in Houston. Many of Pandit Shah’s students are enthused about being his shishya.

“Guruji does not only teach us about the tabla, but he also teaches us about life. ... Through Guruji’s teachings, I have improved in all aspects of life,” said student Pavit- Patel.