1. Storage: Store your tabla set in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, and humidity. Use a padded case or cover to protect it from dust and damage.
2. Cleaning: Clean the tabla drums regularly with a soft, dry cloth to remove dust and dirt. Avoid using water or any cleaning agents on the tabla's playing surface.
3. Tuning: Keep your tabla drums properly tuned. The head (pudi) of the tabla can go out of tune due to changes in temperature and humidity. Use a tabla tuning hammer to adjust the tension of the straps to maintain the correct pitch.
4. Avoid Extreme Conditions: Do not expose your tabla set to extreme conditions, such as cold or hot temperatures, which can cause the wood to crack or the heads to warp. Avoid placing them near heating or cooling vents.
5. Protect the Playing Surface: The playing surface (pudi) of the tabla is delicate and can be damaged easily. Avoid touching it with dirty or wet hands, and never strike it with your fingers or other hard objects.
6. Use Proper Striking Techniques: When playing the tabla, use the correct hand positions and striking techniques to prevent unnecessary wear and tear on the heads. Avoid striking too hard, especially during practice.
7. Hydration: Maintain the right level of hydration for the tabla heads. Use a damp cloth or a small amount of water to moisten the head slightly if it becomes too dry. Conversely, use talcum powder or atta (wheat flour) to reduce excess moisture if needed.
8. Protect from Pests: Keep your tabla set safe from insects and pests that can damage the wood and straps. Use appropriate measures such as insect repellent or cedar wood chips in your storage area.
9. Regular Inspection: Periodically inspect your tabla set for any signs of damage or wear, such as loose straps, cracks, or splits in the wood. Address any issues promptly to prevent further damage.
10. Professional Maintenance: If you're unsure about how to maintain or repair your tabla set, it's advisable to seek the assistance of a professional tabla maker or repair specialist who can properly assess and address any issues.
11. Transportation: When transporting your tabla set, use a padded bag or case designed for tablas to protect them from bumps and shocks during travel.
12. Proper Playing Environment: Play your tabla set in a clean and controlled environment. Avoid playing outdoors or in places with excessive dust, moisture, or temperature fluctuations.

By following these care tips, you can extend the life of your tabla set and ensure that it continues to produce beautiful, resonant tones for years to come.

Harmonium: A Brief Overview: The harmonium, a keyboard instrument with bellows that produce sound through air pressure, found its way into the Indian musical landscape during the British colonial era. Its introduction marked a transformative period in the evolution of Indian music, particularly within the realm of devotional practices like kirtan. The harmonium's portability, versatility, and ability to produce sustained tones made it a perfect companion for the heartfelt singing and chanting inherent to kirtan.

The Melodic Synergy: Harmonium and Kirtan: In the heart of a kirtan gathering, the harmonium acts as a conduit between the singer and the divine. It provides a musical canvas upon which the singer can pour out their devotion and love. The harmonium's soft, resonant tones blend seamlessly with the human voice, creating an ethereal soundscape that envelops the listeners in an atmosphere of spiritual connection. Its delicate harmonics and the gentle drone of sustained notes provide a harmonious backdrop that enhances the depth of emotions expressed through kirtan.

The Power of Repetition and Simplicity: Kirtan often involves repetitive chanting of mantras or divine names. The harmonium's simplicity and intuitive keyboard layout allow singers to focus on the essence of the chant, enabling a meditative and transformative experience. As the chords and melodies flow effortlessly from the harmonium, participants can immerse themselves fully in the practice, creating a powerful collective energy that elevates the entire gathering.

Expressive Dynamics: Beyond its simplicity, the harmonium offers a wide range of expressive possibilities. Skilled harmonium players can infuse kirtan music with varying dynamics, introducing subtle variations in rhythm, tempo, and intensity. This artful manipulation adds depth and intrigue to the overall experience, keeping the listeners engaged and connected on a profound level.

Cultural Fusion and Modern Resonance: The harmonium's integration into kirtan music was not without controversy. Traditionalists initially resisted its introduction due to its foreign origin. However, over time, the harmonium's melodious allure and its ability to enhance the devotional experience won over practitioners and audiences alike. Today, the harmonium has become an integral part of kirtan music, serving as a bridge between tradition and modernity.

Conclusion: The Harmonium's Sacred Song: In the world of kirtan music, the harmonium stands as a sacred song in its own right. Its gentle melodies echo the yearnings of the heart and the devotion of the soul. As singers and listeners gather to partake in the sacred practice of kirtan, the harmonium weaves its enchanting spell, transcending time and space, and guiding them on a melodious journey of devotion.

As the harmonium's notes intertwine with the heartfelt chants, the boundaries between the mundane and the divine blur, giving rise to a sublime experience that nourishes the spirit. In the harmonium's dulcet tones, we find a reflection of our innermost aspirations, a reminder of our connection to something greater than ourselves. So, let us continue to embrace the harmonium's melodic magic, allowing it to guide us on our path of devotion, unity, and spiritual awakening.

In the world of music, innovation often takes the form of combining traditional elements with modern sensibilities. One such instrument that has captivated musicians and audiences alike is the humble Shruti Box. Emerging from the rich cultural tapestry of India, the Shruti Box has transcended its origins to become a globally recognized and embraced musical tool. In this article, we delve into the captivating journey and the reasons behind the soaring popularity of the Shruti Box in contemporary music.

The Roots of the Shruti Box

The Shruti Box finds its origins in Indian classical music, a tradition that spans centuries and is renowned for its intricate melodies and complex rhythms. Traditionally, Indian vocalists and instrumentalists used the Shruti Box as a reference for maintaining pitch and tuning during performances and practice sessions. It served as a harmonious backdrop, providing a constant drone that anchored the musician's performance.

Global Reach and Adaptation

What sets the Shruti Box apart is its remarkable adaptability. While its primary function remains rooted in Indian classical music, the instrument's hauntingly beautiful drone has captured the attention of musicians from diverse genres and cultures. From Western classical to contemporary fusion, and from meditation and yoga sessions to experimental electronic music, the Shruti Box's influence knows no bounds.

Innovation and Modern Applications

The digital age has breathed new life into the Shruti Box, enabling musicians to explore its sonic possibilities even further. Electronic Shruti Boxes now offer a range of tonal options, allowing artists to experiment with different scales and timbres. This innovation has not only broadened the instrument's appeal but has also led to its integration into modern recording studios and live performances.

Sonic Atmosphere and Meditation

Beyond its role in musical performances, the Shruti Box has found a special place in meditation and mindfulness practices. Its soothing and grounding drone creates a sonic atmosphere that aids relaxation, concentration, and inner exploration. The instrument's popularity in wellness circles has led to its inclusion in guided meditation sessions, yoga classes, and ambient music compositions, where its meditative qualities are harnessed to create transformative experiences.

Collaborations and Fusion

The allure of the Shruti Box has fostered remarkable collaborations between musicians from different cultural backgrounds. Artists are drawn to its ability to seamlessly merge with various instruments, creating captivating fusion ensembles. These collaborations not only celebrate the diversity of musical traditions but also highlight the universality of sound and the power of harmonious collaboration.

Conclusion

The Shruti Box's journey from its humble beginnings in Indian classical music to its widespread popularity in global music scenes is a testament to its enduring charm and adaptability. Its ability to bridge cultural divides, enhance musical compositions, and create immersive experiences has cemented its place as an instrument of both tradition and innovation. As we continue to explore the limitless possibilities of music, the Shruti Box stands as a reminder of the unifying power of sound and its ability to transcend boundaries.

The Sitar's Ancient Origins: The sitar traces its lineage back to ancient India, where it evolved from the veena, an even older stringed instrument. With its unique design of resonating strings and a distinctive gourd-shaped body, the sitar became a key player in Indian classical music, adding depth, complexity, and emotion to traditional ragas and compositions.

Global Fusion: Sitar's Entrance into World Music: As the world became more interconnected, artists began to experiment with fusing diverse musical traditions. The sitar's distinct timbre and expressive capabilities caught the attention of musicians outside of India. The 1960s, marked by a surge of interest in Eastern spirituality and culture, saw the sitar making its mark on the global stage, thanks in part to the pioneering work of Ravi Shankar. Collaborations with artists like George Harrison of The Beatles introduced the sitar's captivating sound to Western audiences, forever embedding it in the fabric of world music.

Diverse Influences and Cross-Cultural Collaborations: The sitar's journey through world music has been a tapestry of diverse collaborations. Musicians from various genres, including jazz, rock, electronic, and fusion, have embraced the sitar's sonic possibilities. As artists experiment with blending sitar melodies with contemporary beats and rhythms, new and innovative sounds emerge, creating a seamless bridge between cultures and styles.

Sitar's Role in Modern World Music: In the modern world music scene, the sitar continues to enchant and inspire. Its distinctive sound often serves as a cultural catalyst, enriching compositions with an exotic and emotive quality. Whether it's interwoven into the fabric of a cinematic score or used as a central element in a global fusion ensemble, the sitar's ability to evoke emotion and tell stories through its melodies remains unparalleled.

Cultural Preservation and Innovation: While the sitar's influence in world music is evident, its traditional roots are respected and preserved by virtuoso players and purists. This delicate balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation has allowed the sitar to thrive as both a symbol of cultural heritage and a dynamic force in contemporary music.

Conclusion: Sitar's Melodic Diplomacy: The sitar's journey from ancient times to the global stage is a testament to the power of music to bridge cultures and connect souls. Its enchanting melodies have woven together the threads of diverse musical traditions, forging a path of harmony and understanding. As the sitar continues to captivate listeners and musicians alike, it serves as a reminder that, regardless of our backgrounds, we can find common ground and express our shared humanity through the universal language of music. So, let us listen and celebrate as the sitar's resonant strings carry us on a melodic journey that traverses continents, cultures, and hearts.

A: Here is our take on this (having reheaded hundreds if not thousands of tablas over the years) The nylon strapping is good. It has many positive features. Compared with regular strap, it is easier to lace (much easier on the hands) and easier to pull. It doesn't break when you are pulling it up to tension, and it pulls uniformly. It will require more initial pulling, but once it is at the right tension it will stay. (Often after pulling up a new head, it stretches out after a day, and needs to be pulled again.) Another plus is that once on the drum, it is not temperature and climate sensitive.

The downside is that it is not traditional, and may look a little strange to the traditional minded viewer. From a practical point of view, it doesn't grip the blocks as much, so you can't use the blocks as much for tuning as you can traditional strap. But this depends a lot on the shape of your tabla and the size of the blocks.

A: All sitars, even the very best, go slightly out of tune when you do a long meend on the Ma string. This is especially noticeable in the bass strings of a Ravi Shankar style sitar. When you pull 4 or 5 notes, this puts extra pressure on the bridge, which then sinks down slightly into the tabli (face), and slightly changes the string tension. If the tabli were thick enough for this not to happen, the sitar wouldn't sound good. That is the dilemma faced by all sitar makers. So the problem (in a good sitar) really has nothing to do with the neck. On a cheap sitar, a warped or loose neck might exacerbate this problem.

A: First we should note that all Bina harmoniums say "Deluxe" on them. 

Regarding the ever popular 23bs, our description is a way to differentiate two slightly different instruments. These harmoniums are equal in quality, sound and about $50 different in price. Basically, the Deluxe is slightly larger. It is 2 inches longer, with 3 extra notes (it goes to high F, whereas the Regular goes to high D) It is slightly heavier, and has a 6 fold side bellows. The Regular has a 3 fold bellows that attaches on the bottom. The Deluxe has 4 drone notes (usually C#, D#, G#, A#). The Regular has 2 drone notes (usually C# and G#).

The advantage of the Regular is that it is smaller and lighter and thus more portable. It easily fits in the overhead of an airplane (by some standards the Deluxe is too big). This is the instrument that Jai Uttal plays.

Most people don't use the drones, but if you do, and the extra choice appeals to you, then the Deluxe might be your preference. Likewise, if you are used to, or prefer, the side pump bellows, then this would be your choice.

The Regular model complies with all the airplane carry on size restrictions. The Deluxe model will not fit in all the flights since it is a couple of inches bigger. 
P.S. Please confirm the size allowed by your flight too, since their sizes could change without us being aware.

If you did a "blindfold test" on these two instruments, you would not be able to tell the difference by sound.

A: In India these days, a lot of people are not so strict about following the time scheme for ragas. They will practice a rag any time, but then try to perform it only at the right time. Khansahib was always very strict about following these rules. He believed it would bring bad luck to anyone who played ragas out of time. Students at the AACM in the 1970s witnessed him berating a guest teacher for teaching Malkauns in the afternoon. His belief was that the ragas were spiritual entities, and should be treated with utmost respect every time they were played or practiced.

A: Some are, some aren't. Traditionally in India harmoniums tended to be quite sharp of A440. This was partly due to the European standard of A444-A445. Many Indian harmoniums are even sharper that A445. In ensembles of Indian Music, all the instruments will tune to the harmonium, so the only thing that really matters is that the harmonium be in tune with itself. Lately, with the popularity of this instrument in America, there is more of an emphasis on A440 tuning. Now a much higher percentage of harmoniums come from India tuned at, or close to, A440. Keep in mind that the reeds change with the climate (they go sharp in cooler conditions) so a harmonium that is nicely tuned at A440 in hot, humid, India, might not be the same when it reaches cold, frigid, Michigan.

Q: Does it matter if a harmonium is tuned to A440?

A: The most important thing is that the harmonium be in tune to itself – that the octaves and different banks of reeds match. In Indian Music most instruments (drums, tanpuras, other stringed instruments) will tune to the harmonium. Thus A440 tuning matters only if you are playing with fixed pitch instruments like a piano of flute. We check and tune all the harmoniums that we sell.

A: Instruments rarely come from India in perfect working order. We check the tuning, check for buzzes and leaks.