Jun 29 2025 to Jun 29 2025 4 p.m.

Where

Bangalore International Centre

7 4th Main Rd, Stage 2, Domlur 560071

Event Description

Tarana and Thillana—two strikingly vibrant forms in Hindustani and Carnatic classical traditions—share more than just syllabic play and rhythmic flair. Yet, they are often misunderstood, conflated, or heard in isolation.

This workshop invites participants to explore the shared pulse and divergent expressions of these two forms. Through live demonstrations, guided listening, and cross-cultural comparison, we will experience the same raga unfold as a Tarana and a Thillana, tracing how it transforms in structure, tempo, and mood across styles.

The session will introduce key rhythmic devices like layakari, jatis, and tihais, explore improvisation techniques in each tradition, and unpack the role of these forms in both concert and dance settings. Alongside a deep listening experience, participants will also gain a historical understanding of how Tarana and Thillana evolved and how they continue to be shaped by performance and pedagogy today.

Led by expert practitioners from both Hindustani and Carnatic traditions, this workshop is designed for listeners, learners, dancers, and musicians alike—anyone curious to hear, feel, and understand rhythm as language and lineage.

Facilitators

Keerti Mallela
Vocals
Dr. Keerti Mallela is a fourth-generation Hindustani classical vocalist trained under Vidushi Arati Ankalikar-Tikekar and Vidushi Sarita Pathak Yajurvedi. She specializes in Khayal and Thumri, and has performed in both traditional and contemporary settings across India and the U.S., including private baithaks in Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, and Kolkata, and concerts in Chicago, Tampa, and Dallas. She presents her research on music, philosophy, and religion at the prestigious Oxford University, and has conducted workshops on improvisation, aesthetics, and devotional music. A recipient of several national-level classical music awards, Dr. Mallela combines deep musical training with scholarly insight, holding a PhD in Economics and an MPhil in Hindu Philosophy. She currently serves as Chief Economist at Policy Evolve Research India.

M V Kamala Ramani
Vocals
Dr. M. V. Kamala Ramani is a distinguished Carnatic vocalist, composer, and scholar, trained under legendary maestros Sangeetha Kalanidhi D. K. Pattammal, Sangeetha Kalanidhi Nedunuri Krishnamurthy, and Sangeetha Ratna D. Seshachary of the Hyderabad Brothers. A PhD in Musicology with a specialization in notations and a gold medalist in Carnatic music, she is celebrated for her exquisite manodharma (improvisation) and original semi-classical compositions. Dr. Ramani is a fellowship awardee and resident composer at TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams), and has mentored generations of musicians through her refined, tradition-rich pedagogy and profound musicality.

Abhiram Nitin
Mridangam
Abhiram Nitin is a mridangam artiste under the tutelage of Bangalore Sri Arjun Kumar. He was previously trained by Sri RSR Srikanth. Abhiram has performed at many sabhas including the Madras Music Academy, Sri Rama Lalitha Kala Mandira, Narada Gana Sabha, and Suswaralaya College of Music, in addition to performances abroad at the Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival and Harvard University. He has won prizes in competitions conducted by The Hindu and the Bangalore Gayana Samaja. Hailing from a musical family, he has also learnt Carnatic vocal music from his mother, Smt. Sumitra Nitin, and received the CCRT Junior Scholarship for the same. Abhiram is currently a final-year student at the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru.