Chakardar & Darbar Academy Intensive 2025
July 31 - August 3
JOIN THE CHAKARDAR & DARBAR ACADEMY INTENSIVE 2025 – TABLA, KATHAK AND SITAR…
LEARN WITH RESIDENTIAL, NON-RESIDENTIAL AND DAILY ATTENDANCE OPTIONS
St Mary’s School, Ascot SL5 9JF
What happens at the intensive?
Tabla Students:
Each day you will learn from 9AM until approximately 5PM including 30 min breaks after every session and lunch
All students are divided into groups by capability.
In the morning, we have two group sessions of 1.5 hours each, with each respective teacher
After lunch, there is a combined TALA class session which is all about clapping and reciting the tabla language and rhythmic exercises with all groups together
We then have a final group session of 1.5 hours.
Residential students benefit from breakfast and dinner (dinner before the overnight stay and breakfast the following morning) as well as attending an extra evening session which is catered primarily to listening/watching/learning.
This can be student performances, or a video presentation or a seminar/lecture/interview from one of the teachers, or it could be an open practice session or Q&A session.
Sitar Students:
You will learn in groups of 6 with 2 sessions per day lasting approximately 1.5 hours each
Lunch will be available at the same time for all students.
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.
As the sitar retreat is FULLY RESIDENTIAL, students will benefit from breakfast and dinner (dinner before the overnight stay and breakfast the following morning) as well as attending an extra evening session which is catered primarily to listening/watching/learning.
This can be student performances, or a video presentation or a seminar/lecture/interview from one of the teachers, or it could be an open practice session or Q&A session.
Kathak Students:
You will be scheduled and placed in teaching groups depending on your ability and requirements by the kathak teacher.
Some sessions may be 1-2-1 while others may be groups.
Lunch will be available at the same time for all students.
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) as well as attending an extra evening session which is catered primarily to listening/watching/learning.
This can be student performances, or a video presentation or a seminar/lecture/interview from one of the teachers, or it could be an open practice session or Q&A session.
How do I sign up?
You simply need to decide on what basis and how many days you are attending by looking at the table below.
You will then need to click BOOK ONLINE, or visit the shop page where you can make a booking, fill in the required information and complete your purchase.
| Single Day | 2 Days | 3 Days | 4 Day | |
| Non-Residential | £100 | £200 | £300 | £400 |
| Residential | £300 | £450 | £550 |
Extra Overnight Stay – £60
Multiple passes can be purchased for multiple days
Also please note, the sitar intensive is residential only and 2 or 3 days (Fri Sat Sun)
What should I bring?
Tabla Students:
Bring your tabla! (of course)
In addition, you can bring a refillable water bottle so that you can stay hydrated throughout and you can bring a writing pad/book and a pen
If you are staying overnight, you can bring whatever you would need to stay at a hotel. Shower gel and towels are not available so please bring these.
Kathak Students:
Bring your ghungroos if you have these.
In addition, you can bring a refillable water bottle so that you can stay hydrated throughout and you can bring a writing pad/book and a pen
If you are staying overnight, you can bring whatever you would need to stay at a hotel. Shower gel and towels are not available so please bring these.
Students will be emailed directly if there are any further requirements of what to bring.
Sitar Students:
Bring your sitar! (of course)
In addition, you can bring a refillable water bottle so that you can stay hydrated throughout and you can bring a writing pad/book and a pen
If you are staying overnight, you can bring whatever you would need to stay at a hotel. Shower gel and towels are not available so please bring these.
I have a question!
No problem, if you have any queries you can email us at [email protected] and we will get back to you as soon as possible after consulting with the relevant teachers for further information
4 DAY TABLA INTENSIVE
Spend 4 dedicated days focused on your tabla skills and soaking up inspiration! Learn from experienced teachers and performers Ustad Harkirat Rayatt and Gurdain Rayatt.
Sessions are organised into groups by ability and include a mix of theory and practical. Students will learn aspects of tabla accompaniment and compositions for performance and practice techniques to improve the hand, as well as dedicated 1-2-1 sessions for personal development.
All students benefit from daily tala class sessions and will have a chance to perform in an evening student showcase and musical concert which is also open to the public.
| NON-RESIDENTIAL | RESIDENTIAL |
||
| 2 Day | 3 Day | 4 Day | |
| £100 | £300 | £450 | £550 |
Multiple passes can be purchased for multiple days.
Extra Overnight Stay (includes lunch, dinner and next-day breakfast) – £60 per night
4 DAY KATHAK INTENSIVE
We are pleased to announce that renowned Kathak Dancer, Choreographer and Mentor, Paromita Bhattacharya will be running a 4 day workshop in kathak dance.
This is open to students of all calibres – beginner through to advanced levels.
| NON-RESIDENTIAL | RESIDENTIAL |
||
| 2 Day | 3 Day | 4 Day | |
| £100 | £300 | £450 | £550 |
Multiple passes can be purchased for multiple days.
Extra Overnight Stay (includes lunch, dinner and next-day breakfast) – £60 per night
2-3 DAY SITAR INTENSIVE (in collaboration with DARBAR ACADEMY)
We are pleased to have renowned sitarist Roopa Panesar at our retreat this year where she will be conducting a 2-3 day sitar retreat.
Demand is high, so please do not delay if you are interested in attending.
| RESIDENTIAL | |
| 2 Day | 3 Day |
| £300 | £450 |
Terms & Conditions
All places for the retreat needs to be secured at the time of booking with full payment or a minimum deposit of £100, the balance payable no later than 2 weeks prior to the retreat taking place.
Payments are to be made via bank transfer, cheque or cash. If for convenience it is necessary to pay via PayPal there will be a 5% surcharge to cover the PayPal charges. If you wish to pay over a number of payments, please let us know. This is perfectly acceptable as long as the balance is settled 2 weeks prior to the event. Please note you may forfeit the right to your place, if payments are not received on schedule. No monies shall be refunded if this occurs as it is your responsibility to make sure all payments are paid in full on time. Please contact us as soon as possible if there is a problem regarding your payments as we do not want to see anyone lose their place and will do our best to help you find a solution.
Chakardar agree to keep the website and information supplied, as up to date as possible. We reserve the right to alter event details, which may change due to circumstances beyond our control. We agree to release details of any changes as soon as practicable.
Any person found to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs will be asked to leave the Retreat immediately. No refund shall be given under these circumstances. Behaviour that compromises the safety or the enjoyment of another person on the retreat will not be accepted. You are expected to act sensibly, without causing harm to any individual, their property or the venue. Chakardar shall not be deemed liable for any loss or damage to personal equipment or personal belongings of any person attending events. Chakardar will not take responsibility for any delays in your travel, so please allow sufficient time for travel. Chakardar accepts no liability for any accident or injury to yourself that may arise. However, Chakardar will do its utmost to protect that safety of all students.
These terms, conditions and any contract in which they are incorporated shall be subject to English law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England. Chakardar reserve the right to accept or refuse any booking at its discretion.
Refund Policy
Please notify us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend the Retreat, no less than 2 weeks prior to the event taking place.
Due to our commitment to paying for accommodation, food, equipment etc. prior to events taking place, it is not possible to refund any monies paid if you cancel less than 2 weeks prior to the event. Please be aware that all deposits are non refundable and will not be returned, if you cancel your booking. In the event that Chakardar has to cancel an event, we will refund any monies paid as soon as possible. No refunds will be made for partially completed courses/ workshops/ retreats/events.
All information supplied by you to Chakardar will remain protected under the data protection act and your information will not be disclosed to any third party. Please be advised your image(s) may be used for future promotions or TV or radio broadcast. We may send you emails advertising our events from time to time. You have the right to decline this offer if you wish to do so.
By making a booking with Chakardar, it is taken that you accept these terms and conditions.