BeyondBooks: This budding percussionist’s journey begins with tabla

Learning to play a musical instrument helps students build discipline, focus, and creativity. It boosts confidence and encourages teamwork. Music also sharpens memory and emotional expression, skills valuable in any profession. Meet one such student, Krishna Choudhary of Class III-B at Apeejay School, Saket. In a candid interview, he talks about his love for the tabla.

Tell us which instrument you play in the school orchestra?

I play the tabla. I love the sound it makes. It’s a fun instrument to play, and I feel happy when I’m performing with it. I have been learning it for two years now. Ever since then, I’ve been practising regularly and enjoying it a lot.

How did you get interested in playing it?

The first time I saw someone play it, I got very excited. The beats were so powerful and fast, it made me want to try it. When I joined my first class, I was smiling the whole time.

What do you enjoy most?

I enjoy learning new songs and rhythms. It’s also fun to play with my friends in the orchestra. Performing together makes it even more exciting.

How often do you practice with the school orchestra?

We practice twice a week at school. But when there’s a performance coming up, we sometimes have extra sessions. I like those because we get to rehearse more and become better.

What’s the most fun part about these practice sessions?

I love it when our teacher shows us how to play a new rhythm. He plays it once, and then we try to copy it. It feels great when we get it right and make music together.

Do you have a favourite song or raag?

I enjoy playing a raag called Bhairav. It has a nice tune and sounds amazing on the tabla. I like practising it again and again.

Do you ever feel nervous while performing on stage?

Not really. I feel excited when I perform in front of people. If I make a mistake, I don’t stop, I just keep playing and try to correct it.

Are you learning any other instruments?

I want to learn the piano as well. It looks interesting, and I think it would be nice to know how to play more than one instrument.

Has the school helped you with your music journey?

The school supports me a lot. I’ve performed at the annual day and other cultural events. It makes me proud to be part of the orchestra and share what I’ve learnt.