Yamini the Songbird

The rain Gods have finally blessed us and on this occasion I'd like to introduce to you an extremely sweet and melodic personality. The sweetness of her voice is surpassed only by her smile, Yamini, our singer.

This is what she had to say...

Yamini Lavanian

Good things do happen.

My journey with Taal Inc.

I’ve been singing ever since I can remember. I won many competitions but then thought something was missing. I picked up a guitar and started to write my own music. Since I am from a defense background I was always on the move which restricted me from taking singing or guitar classes so I taught myself how to play and sing. I’ve moved a lot and met many people and heard so many different beautiful sounds. The world and all my experiences with so much travelling helped me compose. All my inspiration to compose my music came from nature and my experiences.

But nothing has been as exalting as being a part of a family that thrives for music and helping others. I was a part of several bands. I was first called by Varun around 2 years ago when Taal Inc. was about healing through the metaphor of the drum circle. But then we thought that bringing in melodies to all those beautiful rhythms would amount to much more beautiful music.

To be a part of a band and to be a part of Taal Inc. are two different poles.  Taal Inc is like a family. We are all a big fat happy family.

The work we do is not only healing for others but also for each one of us as well. Stress, angst, depression, any sort of negative energy is instantly taken away! It’s quite amazing. And to be a part of such an amazing family, I consider myself to be one of the very few lucky ones. To have such caring friends who look out for each other through every single walk of life. I feel blessed to be a part of this family.

The music we make is not only healing but also so diverse. We amalgamate all sorts of folk tunes with West-African style drumming. And that’s not all; we mix all sorts of different genres and sounds from all over the planet. Sounds you’ve never even heard of before. Starting with African, Indian, Japanese, Australian and some absolutely new sounds we create out of the blue ourselves. Adding flavours of the east and the west and all parts of the world to our music.

We hope to bring different parts, sections, diversities and people of the world closer by our music. The biggest reason I love Taal Inc. is because of this. It’s because of how our work brings so many different people together and helps heal with our therapeutic music.

I believe that the world comprises of positive and negative energies and when in a drum circle I can actually feel the positive vibes and energy all around me, engulfing me and expelling all the negativity out.

From the first gig I did with Taal Inc. I knew that this would be my family who I can count on always, for anything. The happiness I get by touring around the country spreading our music and healing people cannot be compared to anything. Not only has Taal Inc. made a huge difference to help people, made some new amazing therapeutic music and brought all kinds of different people together, but it has also helped me in so many ways. I am lucky to be a part of this family and I am a happier person today because of Taal Inc. :)

By Yamini Lavanian

Sing Sing Sing...

Come. Drum. Be One.

Taal Inc.

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Karthik Iyer, Guru Poornima

I often wonder where I'd be if it wasn't for my teachers and gurus... I am slightly late in publicly acknowledging my gurus in my life but I would like to offer my thanks and  my present to Mr. Zubin Balsara, Mr. Sanjeev Pandkar, Mr. Chandrashekar, Mr. Joshua Banks, Mr. Iqbal Azad, Ms. Tara Tucker, Mr. Quinn Reesor, Mr. Famoudou Konate and the one and only Mr. Mamady Keita. I was told by the great man to always put everything one learned from one master in one bag and keep putting learning's from different teachers in different bags. Whenever I wanted to express myself all I had to do was look into my bags and speak with clarity, authority, humility and joy. I salute you, my teachers.

The Masters and I (From left: Famoudou Konate and Mamady Keita)

I was very touched by this next person's gesture on Guru Poornima and before I introduce you to the third member of the Taal Inc. family I'd like to tell you a little bit about him. He's the most soft spoken and quiet individual you'll meet. He absorbs everything in class like sponge and plays it with finesse and style after... He's got a heart of gold and here's what he had to say about his journey with Taal Inc.:

My journey with Taal Inc. - Karthik Iyer

This world of music is truly fascinating. I have always tried to be an intricate part of this world but didn’t get too far. My first attempt was the guitar at school and then the drum kit in the school band. But fate had other choices for me I guess. But the very small stint that I had in my school band somehow sparked my interest in rhythm. I started and continued playing on tables, utensils, washing machines (my favorite for the base) and basically anything that produced sound. Somehow I did not channelize or take the initiative to go in for formal training and I lost a lot of time in all the mundane challenges that life posed – college, career, job and all that. But fate did have something special for me – marriage, yes – I got married to Sunita, who is an accomplished Carnatic vocalist and is also trained in Hindustani music. I still remember singing a ‘gaana’ tamil song (tamil rap) for her family and playing on a table. And believe me, they were impressed, but somehow I felt I was not being able to justify having a partner who is so good in music and in return I just was an audience in all the shows she performed. I somehow wanted to, someday for her to be in the audience and me performing. That thought started me off looking for an instrument to learn and play. My dear friend Nattu, who is a musical prodigy, and with whom I have had many many kitchen orchestras, encouraged me to buy a Djembe and he said “this instrument will suit your style of playing”. I really didn’t understand what that meant, but the very next day I bought my first Djembe. I was really very excited and even shot a small video to show-off my new talent. I look at the video now and realize how lame it was.

Cutting the intro short, I was taken by surprise when Google presented me with www.taalinc.net as the top result for Djembe classes in Pune. I immediately got in touch with Varun and even shared my video (Varun, please tell me that you laughed your guts out when you saw it). The following week I was in High Spirits – literally – my first formal Djembe class and when Varun taught me the proper position to hold the Djembe, I realized that I had a long long way to go before I can achieve what I had in mind. I was sort of dejected at the thought, but the next few months were a great learning experience. Varun facilitated our first Student Ensemble and yes, I had my wife in the audience; although it was a very small performance, it still holds a very special place in my heart and I can never express how thankful I am to Varun and all at Taal Inc. A few months later, Varun gave me the opportunity to play with the Junk Percussion Ensemble and that again was a very special moment and event to cherish and remember. It was during those practice sessions that I met with the very talented Agneya, Dhir and Abhijit. During the course of the many drum circles, classes and performances, I got introduced to Solonie, Amar, Janak, Rahul, Jyoti, Elaine, Shekar and the other members that make up the Taal Inc. family and suddenly I was surrounded by a group of talented and friendly individuals. Their support and energy is awesome and is the backbone of this beautiful family. Taal Inc. also gave me the opportunity to learn from Tara Tucker and Quinn Reesor which was an amazing experience.

Drumming with Taal Inc. has been an out of this world and very rewarding experience for me. I have been through many hurdles in the recent past – on the work front as well as medical front and Taal Inc. has been a major part in magically helping me overcome the problems I was facing. Drumming does heal, trust me. I began the journey with Taal Inc. without a purpose in mind, and after a year and a half, I think I have taken a few small steps in the direction I want to go, contribution to music, which ever form – learn, play, perform, facilitate, write, participate. At the end of it all, the satisfaction I get is something priceless.

I dedicate this to Varun, my wonderful master on the day of Guru Poornima, how better can it get and after all “The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains.  The superior teacher demonstrates.  The great teacher inspires. - William Arthur Ward”. Varun, you truly are an inspiration.

Thanks Varun. Thanks Taal Inc. Wassa! Wassa!

– Karthik Iyer

Karthik (first from left) playing with the Taal Inc. Junk Percussion Ensemble

Come. Drum. Be One.

Taal Inc.

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Amar Kulkarni - (Sangban + Didge + Afterparty Entertainment)

The second person I'd like to introduce you to is the only one in the band who gives Zakir Hussain's curly hair a run for his money.... Mr. Amar Kulkarni.

Amar is a multitalented yet understated musician who is working on his very own Ajala Dhwani Project apart from a whole bunch of interesting musical collaborations. He has a sense of humour that can keep a room full of gigged-out musicians in splits on a terrace till the wee hours of the morning and has a heart of gold.

I'm pleased to have him as a part of Taal Inc. Here's what he had to say... (Mother swear, I haven't bribed him or anything!! ;))

MY JOURNEY WITH TAAL INC.

"On a windy September evening in 2008, I took a conscious and a very deeply thought decision. The 5 years preceding this were the most difficult 5 years of my life. A life away from the something I associate myself most with; Music.

... And that September evening I took that decision to reclaim my life. To reclaim most of what I had lost. A series of events followed; my work being the foremost of the list and in March of 2009 I landed in Pune. "Welcome back" I said to myself.
I lived for a couple of years in Pune, before I had moved to Bangalore, so I was happy to be back. I loved Pune and still do.

So, I got back to Pune and the first thing i really got down to sorting out, was my music scene. I really wanted to get back to playing music, forming a band and playing live so I started hanging out at most of the local venues around Pune.

Around the same time then, I happened to read a newspaper box mentioning something about a "drum circle" by a certain Varun Venkit, then-drummer of Agnee. With a lot of excitement, I called him up and enquired about how to get to the drum circle! That was how I got introduced to Varun and a TAAL INC drum circle.

I then regularly attended Taal Inc drum circles wherever they were held and I really had a great deal of fun. I often waited after the drum circles to learn a thing or two from Varun, and sometimes just random talks connecting us better.

On many occasions I'd meet him up at an Agnee concert, where I also got introduced to Janak the gentle giant! :)

In 2010, when Varun was heading to Singapore for the Mamady Keita workshop, he happened to ping me and tell me "a lot of exciting things are gonna happen when I'm back, stay tuned" So I did.

A few weeks later, Varun called me over to his place and I was introduced to this other sweet chap whom I had seen at many drum circles before. Dhir Mody, though I'm so used to referring to him as "Dhir Baba, aka Groove Baba".

I met Agneya the same day. Agneya, as always, was in a rush to get out and go attend some exam.

So yeah, then I met them and I happened to play the djembe for a few minutes before going on the "Sangban-kenkeni" combo and I was instantly hooked to whatever we were playing.

I hadn’t really heard a lot of West African folk music at that point of time, and all this was very exciting because it had this undertone of great energy. I had a short talk with Varun and he explained patiently every aspect of Taal Inc. he had in his mind.

There was no way I could say no.

I wasn't just being given an opportunity to play with some really bright musicians and wonderful people, but I was also being given another push to reclaiming my life. To make music, to play live, to play on stage with an energetic bunch of highly skilled musicians!
And thus, on the first day of practice, I met the mad bunch at one time! And that marked the beginning of this grand journey with TAAL INC.

There's so much to say about each one of us all, Varun, the learning and the positive vibes, Janak, his persuasiveness and clarity and Solonie with all her love, affection and most importantly the intense grit that she has drummed with! I have to mention Zezu, vishay cut, all the madness we share almost all the time, Bipin and his focus during our practice sessions (not), Yamini, the brat amongst all of us... but a real sweet soul. Wendy and Pragnya, whom we miss so much.... and all the amazing artists we've collaborated with...

Dhir and Agneya, Gandhaar and Shreyas, my close buddies, the young fellas, but they're each ‘baap’ in their own ways; each one of them possessing immense talent and have all taught me so much and continue to do so. Most importantly, I’d like to make special mention of Aditi, who I always assumed as an integral part of TAAL INC, because without her support I would've never done even half the things I do... :-)

I could and I probably will write my little blog about each of these guys... but today, I just want to write about TAAL INC.

TAAL INC, as a band, as a bunch of friends, as an organisation, as a company, as a family... whichever way I look at it, has been a very important milestone in my life...

I really must take this opportunity to thank Varun and everyone at TAAL INC. for being the people they are; for being true friends and a great bunch of people to play and learn with....  Aditi and I both wish we all continue getting better and do many more crazy gigs and drop energy bombs on everyone! May we all continue spreading the good vibes!

Having been asked to write about my journey with TAAL INC, I can only say, the journey has just begun.

Someday soon, there will be lots to read and write about...
.... until then... 1....2.... let’s all play!!!!!!

Amar Kulkarni

Taal Inc. brings people together! :)

(I'll leave you with "Right to Education" a beautiful song composed by Amar Kulkarni, sung by our songbird Yamini Lavanian [who you'll read about next],  Aditi Bandekar and Anvay Patwardhan. The song was written to support the cause and the work done by Hope for the Children Foundation,India. Written {with help from Savita Tai on the Marathi lines} Show your love :))

Come. Drum. Be One.

Taal Inc.

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Gandhaar Amin

I'd like to take this opportunity to introduce to each and every one of you to the members of family Taal Inc. To make this a first person narrative, I've asked each member write/shoot/record a little something that encompasses their journey with us.

To start off we have the humble tower of talent, Mr. Gandhaar Amin. Here's what he had to Say...

MY JOURNEY WITH TAAL INC

Till about three years back, I was an ‘Indian Classical Flautist’, and the only music that I played was in the practice room in my house, sitting alone or at the most with my dad. I did not have any idea of the huge world outside the boundaries of Indian Classical music. Then, three years back, this guy came and sat next to me in the college canteen, and said that he was a guitar player. At that time, as far as I was concerned, a guitar player or a drummer was someone who got high and played substandard music in front an equally high audience. For some reason, I said yes to him when he asked me if I would come ‘jam’ with him. I told him I knew how to play the flute, I also knew how to practise, but I had no idea how to ‘jam’!

Anyway, so that is how I got introduced to the world outside of Indian Classical music. Soon, I started getting introduced to a lot of musicians and different kinds of music. That is when I heard of a band called Smokestack, which was supposed to have an amazing drummer. By then, the image of a guitarist or a drummer in my mind had changed quite a bit. So, I decided to go to a Smokestack concert, mainly to check this drummer out. I ended up having a nice time, and the drummer was actually out of this world. So I decided to have a chat with him after the concert, and he seemed extremely humble and warm for a musician who was pretty well known in the local circuit at least! That is when I asked him what his name was.

That was how I got introduced to Varun Venkit. For a year or two after that, Varun was this amazing musician who was much senior to me. I went for a few more concerts of his with various bands, and that was around the time that I started genuinely admiring him as a musician. Then, about a year back, I got a call from another local musician, with whom I had gotten acquainted at some concert. He had made some music, and wanted to collaborate with a few other musicians to add some flavour to his songs. When I found out that one of those musicians was Varun Venkit, it took me less than a second to say yes. That is when Varun and I officially got to know each other. That was also when I got to know what Taal Inc. really was. After doing a few shows together in this band, Varun asked me if I wanted to be a part of Taal Inc. He made it very clear that this would be a one off thing where he would gauge if I and the flute fit into the whole thing.

So a few days later, I ended up going to Varun’s place for a rehearsal with the Taal Inc. rhythm ensemble. And I would not be exaggerating at all when I say that I have never been received into any group with so much of warmth! I was immediately made to feel at home. I went for a few more rehearsals at Varun’s place and at One Life Club. This concert took place at a popular venue in Pune, followed by a party at Varun’s place. That night, when I was lying in my bed, I knew that I had found the road that I would be following in life. I was completely overwhelmed by the energy that the group had as a whole. I was overwhelmed with how these 8-10 people came together and showed me what being a musician and life in general was all about. And I was overwhelmed by this man called Varun Venkit. That is when I made a decision that I will learn as much as I can from him, in any way possible.

Then came NH7, which is an annual music festival held in Pune. The Taal Inc. rhythm ensemble was to perform there, and I was told that I would be playing with them again. Naturally, I didn't have to think about whether to say yes or no. When we were preparing for this concert, I ended up making some friends that I instantly knew would be with me for the rest of my life. The friendship with Agneya and Dhir was natural, more so because of them being of roughly the same age as me, and two of the coolest guys that I've ever met. Amar was the most genuine and warm person, and him being the only ‘non-drummer’ in the group got me closer to him. Anybody who meets Abhijit once cannot help but become good friends with him. And I had played with him a few times before. It is utterly impossible to not fall in love with Solonie, and I fell for her too! And then there was Varun, who I realised wasn't just an out of this world musician, but also an amazing person. I realised that I had a lot more to learn from him than what I had thought before.

After NH7, I became an integral part of Taal Inc. (or so I would like to believe!) and Taal Inc. became a big part of my life. I had found an amazing band to play with, great people to learn from, and some of the best friends that I've ever had. I also ended up forming separate bands with Amar, Dhir and Agneya. Having spent quite some time with Varun by then, I soon fell in love with drumming and rhythm in general. I started playing some drums during rehearsals, and soon, I was a proper student of Varun’s. Before I knew it, I had done a show where I played only a drum, and didn't even touch the flute! This love of drumming further got me interested in drum circle facilitation. And Varun, as always, was more than willing to train some of us as drum circle facilitators.

So, it has been a magical journey so far, and I hope it goes on forever. I've still got a lot to learn from Varun and Taal Inc. Having the feeling that you’re following the right path and then walking along that path with such amazing companions is the best thing that can happen to a musician. So all I can hope for is to learn as much as I can from Taal Inc. and hope to give back to it in whatever way I can!

The Taal Inc. Rhythm Ensemble - Gandhaar Amin (first from left)

Gandhaar Amin.

Come. Drum. Be One.

Taal Inc.

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