Mridangam & Percussion Classes in Chennai and Online
AIMA teaches mridangam at its Pallikaranai campus in Chennai and online, one-to-one or in groups. Ghatam, tabla, ganjira, rhythmpad and konnakkol are started on request. You learn in the contemporary gurukulam tradition of Padma Bhushan Dr T V Gopalakrishnan, a Sangita Laya Samrat and mridangam master, and every course begins with a free trial class.
- Mridangam at the Pallikaranai campus, and online
- Ghatam, tabla, ganjira, rhythmpad and konnakkol on request
- Group or one-to-one classes, in person or online
- Recommended from age 7, with no upper age limit
Choose your percussion course
Every course can be taken online, as group or individual classes. Mridangam also runs on the Pallikaranai campus. The other courses have no current batch, so AIMA starts them when you ask.
| Course | What it is | Where and how |
|---|---|---|
| Mridangam | The main percussion instrument of Carnatic music, a two-headed drum played with the hands. | Pallikaranai campus and online |
| Ghatam | A clay-pot percussion instrument used in Carnatic music. | Started on request |
| Tabla | A pair of hand drums, the main percussion of Hindustani music. | Started on request |
| Ganjira (kanjira) | A small frame drum with a single drumhead, played with the hand in Carnatic music. | Started on request |
| Rhythmpad | An electronic percussion pad for contemporary rhythm. | Started on request |
| Konnakkol | The art of reciting rhythmic syllables aloud. | Started on request |
Mridangam classes in Chennai
The mridangam is the main percussion instrument of Carnatic music, heard in concerts with vocalists, instrumentalists and dancers. AIMA teaches it at the Pallikaranai campus and online, one-to-one or in groups.
Learning the mridangam builds from basic strokes and rhythmic syllables (konnakkol) to tala, compositions and accompaniment.
Mridangam classes are taught by Nagai Arvind of AIMA’s faculty.
AIMA’s founder, Dr T V Gopalakrishnan, is a mridangam master and the author of the book Mrdangam: The King of Percussions (With Notation).
Ghatam, tabla, ganjira, rhythmpad and konnakkol classes
These courses are started on request. Message us on WhatsApp with the course you want, and AIMA can arrange a batch online or at a campus.
Ghatam classes
The ghatam is a clay-pot percussion instrument that accompanies Carnatic music.
Tabla classes
The tabla is a pair of hand drums and the main percussion instrument of Hindustani music.
Ganjira (kanjira) classes
The ganjira, also spelled kanjira, is a small frame drum played with the hand in Carnatic concerts.
Rhythmpad classes
The rhythmpad is an electronic percussion pad used for contemporary rhythm.
Konnakkol classes
Konnakkol is the art of reciting rhythmic syllables aloud. It is a good way to understand rhythm whatever instrument you play.
Learn in the tradition of a mridangam master
Padma Bhushan Dr T V Gopalakrishnan, AIMA’s Founder-Chairman, is a Sangita Kalanidhi and Sangita Laya Samrat. Laya means rhythm, and rhythm has been a lifelong study for him. He is a mridangam master, has researched the instrument’s making, tone and role in ensembles, and has written on the concept of rhythm in Layathwam.
His book Mrdangam: The King of Percussions (With Notation) (ISBN 9788190666305) is part of the reference literature on the instrument. AIMA’s teaching follows his approach, the TVG Training Methodology. Read more about AIMA and Dr TVG.
Who can learn percussion at AIMA
- Children: instrument classes are recommended from age 7
- Adults: there is no upper age limit
- Beginners: no prior experience is needed
- Experienced players: join to deepen your technique and performance
- Anywhere: choose group or one-to-one classes, in person or online
Online percussion classes
Every AIMA course can be taken online, as group or individual classes, so you can learn mridangam or any other percussion course from home. Message us when you book your trial and we will tell you what you need to get started.
Perform and progress
AIMA encourages students to perform, with recitals and performances along the way. Aspiring performers can take the Kalaa Vishaarad diploma, an intensive program in the art of performance that lasts at least one year and prepares students for a debut performance. See the diploma programs.
Where to learn: Pallikaranai, Chennai
| Campus | AIMA Pallikaranai |
|---|---|
| Address | 323-B, Kamakoti Nagar, 1st Main Road, opposite Balaji Dental College, Pallikaranai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600100 |
| Phone | +91 89392 26222 |
| Courses taught here | Vocal, Dance, Keyboard, Violin and Mridangam |
See the Pallikaranai campus page or get directions on Google Maps. Online classes are open to students anywhere.
How to get started
1. Book a free trial
Pick a course and a convenient slot.
2. Meet your guru
A short, friendly session helps us find your level.
3. Enrol and learn live
Learn online or at a Chennai campus, in group or individual classes.
4. Perform and progress
Recitals, performances and certifications.
Frequently asked questions about percussion at AIMA
AIMA teaches mridangam, ghatam, tabla, ganjira (also spelled kanjira), rhythmpad and konnakkol. Mridangam is taught at the Pallikaranai campus in Chennai and online. The others are started on request.
Mridangam is taught by Nagai Arvind of AIMA’s faculty.
AIMA teaches mridangam at its Pallikaranai campus, at 323-B, Kamakoti Nagar, 1st Main Road, opposite Balaji Dental College, Chennai 600100, and online.
Yes. All AIMA courses can be taken online as group or individual classes, including mridangam and the other percussion courses.
Yes. These are started on request. Message AIMA on WhatsApp at +91 82481 26714 with the course you want, and AIMA can arrange a batch, online or at a campus.
Some courses have no current batch because no students have enrolled yet. If you want one of them, message AIMA on WhatsApp and AIMA can start the course on request.
Yes. AIMA offers a free trial class for all courses, including percussion. Message +91 82481 26714 on WhatsApp, choose a course and a slot, and meet a guru in a short session that helps find your level.
Instrument classes at AIMA are recommended from age 7. There is no upper age limit, so adults can learn too.
No. AIMA teaches beginners as well as more advanced students, and the trial session helps place you at the right level.
AIMA offers both one-to-one and group classes, in person and online.
Padma Bhushan Dr T V Gopalakrishnan, AIMA’s Founder-Chairman, is a Sangita Kalanidhi and Sangita Laya Samrat, a mridangam master, and the author of the book Mrdangam: The King of Percussions (With Notation).
It is a book on the mridangam by Dr T V Gopalakrishnan, published with notation. Its ISBN is 9788190666305.
Konnakkol is the art of reciting rhythmic syllables aloud, used in South Indian classical music to learn, practise and perform rhythm. AIMA teaches it as one of its percussion courses, started on request.
Laya means rhythm or tempo in Indian music, the sense of time that underlies tala. Dr T V Gopalakrishnan holds the title Sangita Laya Samrat and has written on the concept of rhythm in Layathwam.
The mridangam is the main percussion instrument of Carnatic (South Indian) classical music, and the tabla is the main drum of Hindustani (North Indian) classical music. AIMA teaches mridangam regularly and tabla on request.
AIMA encourages students to perform, and its learning path includes recitals and performances. For aspiring performers, the Kalaa Vishaarad diploma is an intensive program in the art of performance, lasting at least one year and started on request.
Fees depend on the course. Message AIMA on WhatsApp at +91 82481 26714 or email info@tvgaima.com for details, and start with a free trial class.
Try a percussion class free
Message us on WhatsApp to pick a course and a slot. Fees depend on the course, and we will share the details when you book.
AIMA
Dr TVG's Academy of Indian Music & Arts
Founded in 1974 as the Chembai Memorial Music Center and renamed the Academy of Indian Music & Arts in 1984. A charitable trust, 80G, FCRA and CSR registered.
Campuses
Thoraipakkam
Kriyates Complex, 361, Madha Koil St, Vivekananda Nagar, Thoraipakkam, Chennai 600097
+91 95662 03821
Pallikaranai
323-B, Kamakoti Nagar, 1st Main Road, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100
+91 89392 26222
Velachery
Cambridge Montessori Pre-School and Daycare, 6, 4th Main Rd, Vijaya Nagar, Velachery, Chennai 600042
+91 95662 03821
Sholinganallur
Clubhouse, TNHB 1500 Flats, TNHB Main Rd, Sholinganallur, Chennai 600119
+91 95662 03821
Courses