For an experience to be complete, every human sense
needs to be influenced positively. For an experience to
be memorable, these senses need to blend with each
other in a way that the experience gets imprinted in
one’s mind forever. Now in Goa to quite literally drum
their point of view into a discerning audience, Taal
Inc from Pune believes that they can help build a
sustainable network organisation that will help people
find their inner self through rhythm, music and the arts,
using pathways of knowledge, actions, interactions,
entrainment and entertainment. Founded by Varun
Venkit from Pune, Taal Inc has conducted drum circles
for over 85,000 people in the past 10 years. Right from
ex first lady of the USA – Michelle Obama, to children in
remand homes, bringing the joy of rhythm to everyone
that joins the group’s mission of ‘A drum in every home,
for joy and peace’.
Janak Vadgama, Director – Taal Rhythmic Solutions
Pvt Ltd, talks about what goes into crafting the Taal Inc
experience. “The drum circle experience, as we see it,
is a rhythmic journey that uses percussion instruments
and is facilitated by an expert. The intention is made
clear in four simple words – COME. DRUM. BE ONE. Our
drum circles are designed to ensure that participants
do not need any prior experience in music, that one of
their most basic intellectual needs, curiosity, is fed. “Will
I be able to play the drum?” “What if I don’t do a good
job?” are instantly rendered redundant in a circle. There
is no hierarchy, no judgement, no right or wrong, no
expectations. There is only expression and interaction.
We also encourage participants from all backgrounds,
ages and walks of life to come together and interact
without any preconceived notions. While they are within
the circle, they are most instinctively in the present, since
the body and the mind are in one rhythm and require the
full attention of the participants, and they can express
themselves freely in a language that has no words, but
is the language of rhythm. One is free to ‘play’ out all
the feelings both past and present ones. The experience
ensures that all participants leave the session feeling
much calmer and closer to themselves and their inner
rhythm than before,” he points out.
But then again, Goa has seen plenty of drum circles
riddle its shores, which may make the sceptic beg the
question of ‘how does what Taal Inc does, differ from
every other drum circle experience out there?’ According
to the good people involved, the principle difference
is the intention behind it all. “Our intention is that of
interaction without barriers. All the participants are
equal and all play and express as one. Our experiences
are facilitated by trained experts that do not instruct, or
teach, at all times. We believe that everyone deserves
their space and their say,” Janak shares.
And in a world where people look primarily at
how things are beneficial to themselves, one needs to
question whether there are any benefits to being a part of
such a group, whether holistic or otherwise. “We learnt in
school that man is a social animal. That’s highly prevalent
nowadays, with competition all around and the rapid
pace of life around us. People do not spend enough time
on themselves. Hobbies have largely gone from learning
music, dance or art, to watching TV and surfing the
internet. While the situation is not become grave yet, we
are on the way to becoming more inward and secluded.
The ‘I’ is becoming more and more important. Schools
teach us how to ace academically, while the industry
wants us to think outside the box every day. Everything is
about getting more from less. More money in less time,
more output with less input and the list goes on. When
was the last time you sang without the fear of anyone
saying something? When was the last time you picked
up a paint brush and went crazy on a canvas? When was
the last time you simply … let go? I believe that everyone
should experience a drum circle at least once in their
life, because even a 1,000 words cannot describe the
experience that you will have when you come for your
first Taal Inc Drum Circle experience,” Janak concludes.
Taal Inc now has a monthly collective get together
in Goa in the last weekend of every month
