Tabla prices

randyf3 · Post by **randyf3** » 12 Jun 2008, 12:52

Hey everybody.
I'm an American (from Louisiana) currently living in Trivandrum, Kerala for the summer, and I'm looking to buy some tablas to learn on and bring back with me. I went to a music store on MG Road and they wanted 5500 Rupies for a set of tablas. I almost bought them on the spot because I want some so badly, but I decided to hold off and shop around a bit.
What's a good price to pay for good tablas? Anyone know a good place to get a good set in Trivandrum where I won't get ripped off?
Thanks.

Randy

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 12 Jun 2008, 17:20

For a cost comparison, you can email a couple of Indian music shops (see http://www.carnaticcorner.com/bazaar.html) and ask them for their cost in rupees without shipping costs.

sankirnam · Post by **sankirnam** » 12 Jun 2008, 19:52

my instinct tells me not to buy tablas from music shops... just like mrudangams, if you want the best quality, well made ones, you should go straight to the makers and buy from them.

randyf3 · Post by **randyf3** » 13 Jun 2008, 23:32

sankirnam wrote:my instinct tells me not to buy tablas from music shops... just like mrudangams, if you want the best quality, well made ones, you should go straight to the makers and buy from them.

Thanks for the advice, but how would I go about finding tabla makers in Trivandrum? Any suggestions?

appu · Post by **appu** » 14 Jun 2008, 03:05

Trivandrum is definitely not the meeca for Tabla makers. You can definitely get high quality Tabla's in Mumbai. Very close to Dadar Circle besides the store Haribabu Vishwanath, resides the best Tabla makers. Anybody will be able to direct you to that store. Try them. They even ship. Hand crafted to perfection.

Good luck

randyf3 · Post by **randyf3** » 14 Jun 2008, 09:00

Thanks for that tip. It would be way less convenient for me to travel to Mumbai to purchase tabla, but if I can't find anything here I may very well look into that.

uday_shankar · Post by **uday_shankar** » 14 Jun 2008, 11:58

appu wrote:Trivandrum is definitely not the meeca for Tabla makers.

Whaaat ?! Didn't you know that Trivan"drum" takes its name not from the humdrum life of its denizens but from its famous drum makers of all kinds, including tablas

. Online ignorance is a pandemic.

Er.. Randy, you would be ill advised to take anything I say seriously.

uday_shankar · Post by **uday_shankar** » 14 Jun 2008, 12:20

Randy

You have been forewarned, but nonetheless...

Trivandrum has an All India Radio station and they must have one or more resident Tabla players or "staff artists" as they are called. Perhaps you can find out who the staff artists are and contact them to help you source a good tabla, perhaps locally.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 14 Jun 2008, 22:06

Uday,
LOL! Those who don't know you at all may believe you.The humor that surfaces is not all. A reservoir of knowledge lies beneath! Watch out for the denizens of the place, though...
Go way back, and we had fun with with the anglicized name of
Tiruvanantapuram--Trivandrum became mara vaNDi mattaLam: tree+van+drum!

cienu · Post by **cienu** » 14 Jun 2008, 22:17

arasi wrote:Tiruvanantapuram--Trivandrum became mara vaNDi mattaLam: tree+van+drum!

Arasi , this was too good !

vasanthakokilam · Post by **vasanthakokilam** » 14 Jun 2008, 22:27

^ mara vaNDi mattaLam

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 14 Jun 2008, 23:49

a(nda) mattaLam koTTa, vari Sangam ninru UdA
nAm ellOrum kai koTTi kaLikka....

Sorry for that...

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 15 Jun 2008, 03:24

'mrudanga ghOshamulacE
hari (padmanAbha) dAsulu
veDalE mutsaDagani
AnandamAyE' , ravi SankarA
tiru ananta puramulO...

uday_shankar · Post by **uday_shankar** » 15 Jun 2008, 10:28

Arasi
The remark about the "humdrum life of the denizens" is meaningless and uncalled for

. I think Trivandrum is a superb city, a far better city than most Indian cities, certainly any city in Tamilnadu. My dad, who hailed from there, might have been greviously hurt if he heard I had passed derogatory remarks about it.

Drum roll, please...(tablas preferred)

randyf3 · Post by **randyf3** » 15 Jun 2008, 12:36

I find Trivandrum (actually, I finally learned how to properly spell Thiruvanathapuram... just don't exactly know how to properly pronounce it yet) quite a charming little city, actually.
It may not be as full of nightlife as somewhere like Delhi or Mumbai, but I enjoy the pace of life here, plus the food is wonderful and the people so far have been really nice and friendly.

rshankar · Post by **rshankar** » 15 Jun 2008, 20:00

Randy,

Don't mind the ramblings of Uday and Arasi - they have their tongues planted so firmly in their cheeks, I am sometimes afraid they'll need a dental surgeon to surgically separate tongue from cheek!

Tiruvanantapuram (probably best pronounced as 'tiroo-vuh-nun-tuh-puh-rum strung together) is a lovely city, as are most Indian cities - so enjoy your stay. I just hope that you have buckets of hand sanitizer (now that goes for all cities, not just the one you are visiting!).

Ravi

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 15 Jun 2008, 21:52

Spoken like a doctor.
By the way, would you help speed up the progress of the line I am standing in to get my lingual abnormality surgically corrected? Not that you don't need one yourself

Randy,
Have a nice stay in Thiruananthapuram. Hope you find good tablas at a good price too. Uday had a good idea--going to All India Radio, and get some information from the tabla artistes at the station.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 16 Jun 2008, 00:05

Thiruvanandapuram is a great city, which I have loved since my first visit to India. I went there from Chennai, and sitting in the car from the airport going into the town, I wondered when the traffic and the madness was going to start --- but it never did

I can suggest that our tabla seeker finds his way to a gentleman called Sunil, at Pranavam Musicals, which has the address Mettukada, Thycaud, Tiruvananthapuram

He makes Veenas and harmoniums! But he is a good man and I was intoduced to him by Rama Varma, some years back as a contact for other instruments. I have sourced several percussion instruments through him.

randyf3 · Post by **randyf3** » 16 Jun 2008, 17:05

Oh, I could tell they were joking. I'm used to that kind of humor, as I find myself indulging in it quite frequently as well. I just wanted to share my opinion of the place. I'm enjoying my stay quite a bit. Sometimes the traffic and noise levels are a bit overwhelming to me, but we have a nice apartment in Kowdiar Junction to retreat back into when things get too chaotic outside.
I'm researching All India Radio right now.
And Nick, thanks for that tip... no idea how I'm gonna' find this guy, but I'm trying.
You people are great. I appreciate all the assistance very much!

gn.sn42 · Post by **gn.sn42** » 16 Jun 2008, 21:27

randyf3 wrote:no idea how I'm gonna' find this guy

The web provides this phone number: 2321581

Good luck!

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 17 Jun 2008, 01:13

Randy, it may not look like it, but the address I gave is sufficient for a local to ofind the shop!

But now you have a phone number too.

He does speak English, but when I was last there, he was the only one in the shop who did, so, unless you have secret Malayalam skills, call first to check he's available, or take an interpretor along.

It's a tiny place, by the way, and the nameboard outside is in Malayalam. More of a workshop than a shop, easy to drive past.

randyf3 · Post by **randyf3** » 17 Jun 2008, 01:33

Thanks, you guys rock!

ragam-talam · Post by **ragam-talam** » 17 Jun 2008, 10:46

It's nice to read about my hometown. MG Road, Mettukkada, Kowdiar...brings back memories.
Randy, check here for some relevant info: http://chandrakantha.com/teachers/teach ... erala.html
You can try contacting the Hindustani teacher mentioned (Abhradita Banerjee) who could offer you some pointers.
Do let us know if you found a tabla.

gobilalitha · Post by **gobilalitha** » 17 Jun 2008, 12:36

In your search for a tabla and the advices which foiiowed your query,I am reminded of a story . once . Japan was severely rocked by a series of earthquakes . a japanese couple sent their three sons to a friend's house in a country situated faraway from japan, fearing the earthquakes. . After some days, pat came the reply from the friend.' I AM SENDING BACK YOUR THREE SONS .PL SEND THE EARTHQUAKES. You will also feel like saying ' thank you friends . I have dropped the idea of getting a tabla.. gobilalitha

randyf3 · Post by **randyf3** » 19 Jun 2008, 14:21

gobilalitha wrote:In your search for a tabla and the advices which foiiowed your query,I am reminded of a story . once . Japan was severely rocked by a series of earthquakes . a japanese couple sent their three sons to a friend's house in a country situated faraway from japan, fearing the earthquakes. . After some days, pat came the reply from the friend.' I AM SENDING BACK YOUR THREE SONS .PL SEND THE EARTHQUAKES. You will also feel like saying ' thank you friends . I have dropped the idea of getting a tabla.. gobilalitha

I'm sorry, but I don't quite follow you. Are you trying to tell me I shouldn't purchase a tabla and bring it back to the US because it's something that should remain in India? If so, that's pretty ludicrous. I think music is one of the only international languages there is, and as such, I believe all forms of music should be shared by everyone across the world, and in exploring each other's musical forms and traditions, and bringing our own musical backgrounds to them, we can perhaps more thoroughly understand each other as people. But maybe I'm just idealistic.

Anyway... I'm starting my first tabla lesson today at the Tharinganisari Music School here in Trivandrum. Haven't procured of a set of tabla yet, but I'm hoping the instructor will be able to give me good advice about where to find a good set here in town.

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 19 Jun 2008, 15:26

Randy - I didn't understand the jist of the previous thread either.

Glad you could find a teacher - hope it goes well - take some fruits and flowers in plate along with a small donation to start off your classes on an auspicious note. Do give us updates!

gobilalitha · Post by **gobilalitha** » 19 Jun 2008, 19:51

.Sorry,mrRandy 13 .you have not understood me properly. what I meant was, for a simple query raised by you for purchase of a tabla, you have got 25 replies, which wiould have confused you.. My reply was purely a joke ,Definitely ,you must not only purchase a tabla, but also practice it vigorously with utmost devotionand become a topmost artist .. goodluck

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 20 Jun 2008, 02:43

I doubt that that was what gobilalitha was trying to say. He has his own style of humour, which I do not always follow --- but I do not doubt its good nature!

Good wishes for your class

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 20 Jun 2008, 07:29

Good luck, Randy.
Gobilalitha heard the joke in tamizh ( japanese?), I think. It is not easy to translate a joke into any language, let alone 'from' tamizh. If I understood it right, the man in the country says: you sent your children away from the impending disaster for safety sake. Your sons are more dangerous than the earthquake and have caused me more trouble than the natural disaster. I lost peace and quiet which you enjoy now, earthquake or not!

Moral of the story: don't ever attempt to translate a joke...

gobilalitha · Post by **gobilalitha** » 20 Jun 2008, 11:14

YES. that is what is conveyed in the joke. I think it is high time i refrain from quoting such jokes. the joke is from READER'S DIGEST GOBILALITHA

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 20 Jun 2008, 19:12

Please don't give up trying, gobilalatha.

Even if the joke falls on stony ground (deaf ears?), it is still worth the attempt. I'm sure you will have noticed that there areas of the forum where a little humour is sadly lacking

ragam-talam · Post by **ragam-talam** » 20 Jun 2008, 19:45

arasi wrote:Gobilalitha heard the joke in tamizh

gobilalitha wrote:the joke is from READER'S DIGEST

Does RD come out in Tamil these days?

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 20 Jun 2008, 19:47

Gobilalitha,
Yes, don't give up! When I said it is difficult to translate a joke, I meant it, and experienced it as I tried to do it myself with the earthquake joke!
Letus not give up efforts simply because they are difficult. Knowing my ability (or the lack of it) with tALam, I should have run away from CM ages ago! I still stick around, don't I?

gobilalitha · Post by **gobilalitha** » 21 Jun 2008, 06:11

Again a joke. The RD does not come in English. But I know English!!! Thanks Arasi

gobilalitha · Post by **gobilalitha** » 21 Jun 2008, 12:34

it should be RDdoes not come inTamil, But i know english!!! gobilalitha

gobilalitha · Post by **gobilalitha** » 21 Jun 2008, 12:43

Arasi. i am your companion, regarding taalam. It would have been a very great loss to CM , had you run away from it. The musicians should be thankful to me for not sittingin the first row with a muffat (free ticket0 and move my fingers and palm in an exhibition of thappu taalam, as many of the dignitaries(first row free ticketwallahs )do

sureshvv · Post by **sureshvv** » 23 Jun 2008, 14:34

gobilalitha wrote:Again a joke. Thanks

In future. please also add a few funny smileys so we know when it is coming

cienu · Post by **cienu** » 23 Jun 2008, 16:31

Gobilalitha,

Your "earthquake" has rattled Randy to such an extent that he has since disappeared from the forum, leaving Rasikas in suspense whether the tabla was indeed purchased or not

mohan · Post by **mohan** » 23 Jun 2008, 18:26

Either that or he is too busy practicing the tabla!

randyf3 · Post by **randyf3** » 24 Jun 2008, 03:39

I had my first lesson on Friday!
It went well, but I realize it's pointless until I have a set of my own.
Thankfully, the instructor said he'd get me a set from somebody in town, and the price he told me they would be is VERY, VERY good!
I should be getting the set tomorrow, hopefully, at my 2nd lesson.

arasi · Post by **arasi** » 24 Jun 2008, 09:12

Good to know that you have started your lessons and to hear that the tablas will be there soon for you to practice with.

gobilalitha · Post by **gobilalitha** » 24 Jun 2008, 11:31

All is well that ends,sorry begins well. goodluck . gobilalitha

randyf3 · Post by **randyf3** » 25 Jun 2008, 00:25

Thanks! I got my tabla today! I'm very happy with them!!!

Bhindi · Post by **Bhindi** » 25 Jun 2008, 02:31

So randyf3, how much did the set cost you.

randyf3 · Post by **randyf3** » 25 Jun 2008, 11:59

2800 rupees. Includes carrying case, rings (I forget what they're called), and cloth covers.

srkris · Post by **srkris** » 25 Jun 2008, 12:43

Wow, does a good tabla set usually cost that much?

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 25 Jun 2008, 16:27

Funny you should say that, because I thought it was low! A mridangam costs quite a lot more.

sankirnam · Post by **sankirnam** » 25 Jun 2008, 19:33

Wow, that's very cheap! Like Nick says, compared to the cost of a mrudangam (Rs. 4000-5000), that is a good price!

randyf3 · Post by **randyf3** » 26 Jun 2008, 12:17

Well, considering what I would pay in America for a set like this, it's really cheap. I would undoubtedly have to pay at least 4 times that price if I were to buy them in the US. In fact, the set I saw in a music store here was twice as much, so yeah... I'm very happy with the price.

Nick H · Post by **Nick H** » 26 Jun 2008, 15:41

Yes, you would probably pay over Â£100 in London too.