Dhwani Academy of Percussion Music (DAPM)

Dhwani Academy of Percussion Music (DAPM) is a non-profit organization dedicated to expanding the reach of traditional Indian music. It aims to cultivate new musicians committed to preserving India’s musical heritage and to include marginalized communities in these rich traditions through various targeted projects.

Mission & Vision:

The Academy aims to research, promote, and raise awareness of Indian arts and culture. It teaches traditional Indian percussion and classical music, enriching students’ musical education and linking it to world music. Part of its vision includes exploring and showcasing the vast heritage of Indian folk music.

Institutional Activities:

• Tabla Classes: Dhwani Academy conducts regular tabla classes in-person at its premises and different locations in and near Kolkata and other parts of the country like Pune, Bangalore. Online classes are also offered on a regular basis for students unable to attend in-person.
• Pakhawaj Classes: Pakhawaj Classes are conducted in different locations, and online classes are also available.
• South Indian Percussion: South Indian percussion classes are taken at its premises and other locations in and near Kolkata.
• Percussion and Folk Music: South Indian percussion classes are taken at its premises and other locations near Kolkata.
• Workshops: Regular workshops on percussion-related subjects are regularly held in different locations.

NOTE: For class locations and online information, please click academics.

Activities:

• SAAZ AUR AWAAZ: A Grand Music and Percussion Festival is celebrated every year in the month of February, featuring renowned artists from India and abroad.
• Pt. JNAN PRAKASH GHOSH MEMORIAL COMPETITION: Dhwani Academy arranges a percussion competition every year, in memory of Padma Bhushan Pandit Guru Jnan Prakash Ghosh. Competitors from India and abroad participate, and cash rewards are awarded to the top performers, along with a performance opportunity at Saaz Aur Awaz.
• ANNUAL CONCERT: A student performance platform is organized every year to showcase their skills to the audiences, along with up-and-coming talented artists, providing exposure to their talents.
• MANIK PAL MEMORIAL AWARD: A cash award is presented to noted musicians as a mark of respect for their contribution to the field of Music. Past awardees include Pt. Vijay Kr. Kichlu, Ustad Sabir Khan, Pandit Buddhadeb Das Gupta, PT. Sanjay Mukherjee, Vidushi Kalyani Roy, Pt. Shyamal Bose, Pt. Sankha Chatterjee, Pt. Gobinda Bose, Pt. Subroto Roy Choudhury, Pt. Ananda Gopal Bandopadhyay, and Pt. Brojen Biswas.
• PRATIDHWANI: In the extremely challenging times of the pandemic, the Academy launched online performing platforms—a series of small concerts held virtually or physically at different zones to support young musical talent from India and abroad, including the Academy’s students. This series of concerts is now being continued regularly in different parts of the country to promote upcoming artistes.
• GURUPURNIMA CELEBRATION: Dhwani Academy has initiated Gurupurnima Celebration to pay homage to our respected Gurus. This tradition aims to create respect and awareness about the stalwart Gurus and their contributions to the music world for the sake of students and music lovers.

Voluntary Activities:

• INNERSIGHT – Visually Challenged Students: Dhwani Academy has been working with visually challenged students for the last 20 years to teach, maintain, and promote their talents. The academy has also started working with underprivileged students to teach and promote their talents. These are the voluntary activities that the academy has been doing as part of its regular activities.
• PRAKASH – Underprivileged Intermediate Level School Students: The Academy has a long-term vision of reaching out to underprivileged members of society, introducing them to the beauty of Indian classical music. To fulfill this purpose, they have launched “Project Prakash” with underprivileged students from several schools over the past few years.