Chakardar & Darbar Academy Intensive 2026
Royal Masonic School for Girls, Rickmansworth Park, Rickmansworth WD3 4HF
Tabla, Sitar and Hindustani Vocal
Thu 30th July – Sun 2nd August 2026
In our 24th year, Chakardar teams up with Darbar for the Chakardar & Darbar Academy Intensive 2026, a 4 day retreat for students of all abilities (beginner to advanced) across 3 disciplines (tabla, sitar and vocal) to learn face to face with reputed professional artistes in their respective fields.
Learn in group settings with one-to-one attention with the option of residential stay including breakfast, lunch and dinners.
Learn compositions, get practice tips, develop your performance skills and upskill to the next level!
In our 24th year, Chakardar teams up with Darbar for the Chakardar & Darbar Academy Intensive 2026, a 4 day retreat for students of all abilities (beginner to advanced) across 3 disciplines (tabla, sitar and vocal) to learn face to face with reputed professional artistes in their respective fields. Learn in group settings with one-to-one attention with the option of residential stay including three meals. Learn compositions, get practice tips, develop your performance skills and upskill to the next level!
Learn Tabla from Ustad Harkirat Rayatt and Gurdain Rayatt
9AM until 5PM including 30 min breaks
All students are divided into groups by capability
Morning
TWO group sessions of 1.5 hours each, with each respective teacher
Midday
After lunch, there is a combined TALA class session open to all disciplines – this focuses on reciting the tabla language and clapping to strengthen rhythm and timing
Afternoon
A final group session of 1.5 hours
Residential students
You will benefit from breakfast and dinner (dinner before the overnight stay and breakfast the following morning)
Learn Sitar from Roopa Panesar
Learning in groups of 6 with 2 sessions per day (approx 1.5 hours each)
You are welcome to attend the TALA class session as part of the tabla retreat to improve your sense of rhythm and interact with tabla students and teachers
Residential students benefit from breakfast and dinner (dinner before the overnight stay and breakfast the following morning)
Tabla students will also be available to support your sessions as well as possible joint sessions with tabla teachers
Learn Hindustani Vocal from Prabhat Rao
You will be scheduled and placed in teaching groups depending on your ability and requirements by the vocal teacher
The sessions will involve both group and 1-2-1 teaching and support
You are welcome to attend the TALA class session as part of the tabla retreat to improve your sense of rhythm and interact with tabla students and teachers.
Residential students benefit from breakfast and dinner (dinner before the overnight stay and breakfast the following morning)
All participants join a focused programme of specialist tuition in their chosen discipline, alongside opportunities for shared learning, listening and informal music-making across the intensive.
Daily Non Residential
£100/day
No Overnight Stay
Lunch Included
2 Day Residential
£300
Group Based Learning
No Overnight Stay
Day 1 – Lunch & Dinner
Day 2 – Breakfast & Lunch
3 Day Residential
£450
Group Based Learning
No Overnight Stay
Day 1 – Lunch & Dinner
Day 2 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 – Breakfast & Lunch
4 Day Residential
£550
Group Based Learning
No Overnight Stay
Day 1 – Lunch & Dinner
Day 2 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3 – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4 – Breakfast & Lunch