We are proud to offer Tabla classes under the tutelage of renowned Tabla Guru, Pt. Shantilal Shah. Based in Houston since 2003, Pt. Shah joined the faculty of IMS in 2015 as our first full-time teacher. A well-known Tabla player in Houston and abroad, with him comes a wealth of experience and knowledge. For more information, or to inquire about joining Tabla classes, please visit our dedicated Tabla School page.
Pandit Shantilal Shah
Shantilal Shah was born and raised in the culturally and artistically vibrant city of Banaras, India. His basic taalim was under Pandit Mahadev Prasad Mishra of Banaras Gharana. He is a worthy disciple of Taal-Yogi Pandit Suresh Talwalkar.
He has been studying and performing Indian Classical Music with intense passion for the last 40 years. Over the years he has had the opportunity to share the stage with some of the greatest names in Indian Classical music, like Sangeet Martand Pt. Jasraj, Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia, late Pt. Jitendra Abhisheki, late Smt. Rohini Bhate, Pt. Rajan-Sajan Mishra, Pt. Ulhas Kashalkar.
He was a featured performer in the 2004 Hollywood Film “Dancing in Twilight”, which received a Gold Medal of Excellence for a feature film score from the Park City Music Festival. In March 2014 he performed in a series of performances with the Houston Grand Opera, in their unique presentation, “River of Light”, receiving high acclaim.
He has also proven himself to be one of the most successful Tabla-Gurus of the present generation. He began teaching in Pune in the early 80s under the banner of one of the leading performing art organizations of the city, Nad-roop. Later he moved to Tampa, Florida, USA to join the faculty of the Pandit Jasraj School of Music as the resident Tabla Guru. In 2003, Shantilal Shah moved to Houston, TX and is currently on the faculty of the Indian Music Society of Houston.
All of his students have in common a rich understanding and enjoyment for music. This passion and appreciation for music and art continues to help them throughout their career and life as well. Two of his senior students, Ajinkya Joshi and Nilesh Ranadive, have gone on to become successful full time musicians and have performed across India and in the USA.
