Vijay Vhatkar
Tabla sets, dayans, pakhawaj, naal and dholak from Vijay Vhatkar in Miraj, Maharashtra, part of the Vhatkar family of tabla makers.
About Vijay Vhatkar
Vijay Vhatkar runs Vijay Vhatkar Musical House in Miraj, the town the Vhatkar family of tabla makers comes from. He is related to Haridas Vhatkar of Mumbai. His workshop makes student and professional tablas, bayans in copper and brass, and the folk drums of Maharashtra: naal, dholki and pakhawaj.
What we carry
Tabla sets, $794 to $1,299. Brass, copper and chromed bayans from 2.5 kg to 4 kg, all with sheesham dayans.
Dayan only, $609 to $619. One is supplied without syahi, for players who prefer to have their own applied.
Naal, $799. Bolt tuned, in natural or black.
Dholak, $749. Sheesham, bolt tuned, with a bag.
Pakhawaj, $869. Sheesham, 24 inches.
Choosing yours
Vhatkar sets are Bombay style, with thicker heads than Calcutta instruments. That gives the earthy, woody tone heard in a great deal of concert playing, and heads that last. Brass bayans are brighter with more attack; copper is warmer and deeper.
Tuning before it ships
Tabla can drift out of tune in storage and in transit. Before yours ships we check it and bring it back to the pitch the maker set. We never change the tuning they intended.
Questions we get asked
Vijay or Haridas Vhatkar?
Both come from the Vhatkar family of tabla makers. Vijay works in Miraj and his sets are priced for working players. Haridas works in Mumbai at the top of our concert range.
Why is one dayan sold without syahi?
Some players prefer to have the syahi applied by their own teacher or maker. Everything else is ready.
Can I see my exact instrument before it ships?
Yes. You pay nothing when you order. We confirm when it will be ready, and before it ships we send you video of your exact instrument for your approval.