Cast your minds back to your childhood – to those incredibly rare but memorable moments where learning might have felt not forced but joyous instead?
Music educator/Author and publisher Shyama Panikkar who founded music enrichment program Sur Taal aur Masti infuses this same exact joy in her musical education.
An engineer and management post-graduate-turned music educator, Shyama’s charm lies in her ability to make learning a rewarding experience beyond books for her students.
As an expert in music who is also fascinated by mathematical patterns, her latest book Ta Ka Dhi Mi 2358 taps into rhythms using the Fibonacci series combines the rigours of a subject like maths with the vibrance of music to make for an engaging activity for children.
With events around India – most recently in Chennai – around her book and tied to the innovative idea of “mathemusic,” Shyama continues to capture and pass on the beauty of Indian classical music throughout the country.
We speak to Shyama about Ta Ka Dhi Mi 2358, combining music and maths, upcoming events, her previous book releases and more.
Read our Q&A with Shyama Panikkar below
1. Tell me a bit about Sur Taal Masti. What drove you to start it and what’s your goal with it?
Sur Taal aur Masti is an Indian Music Enrichment Program which I founded 7 years back in 2019. The program aims to make Indian Classical music simpler, more fun and more accessible to kids as young as 2 years old. While traditional methods are ideal for children who are devoted to the discipline, with all its rigor, my program aims at making Indian Classical Music more joyful for all kids. Music is a friend for life, and the exposure does wonders, improving their focus, confidence and intellect, and also helps them immensely to deal with stress and anxiety.
2. What is the inspiration behind your latest book Ta Ka Dhi Mi 2358?
I have always been fascinated by Mathematical Patterns, and the Fibonacci series and its presence in our everyday life has always intrigued me. I recently watched the series Bandish Bandits Season 2, in which they demonstrated creating a rhythm using the Fibonacci series. It struck a chord and subsequent research led me to Konnakol and its beauty. Konnakol is the spoken language of percussion used in South India using syllables like Ta Ka Dhi Mi and I thought this would be a great value add to the kids, to understand the Fibonacci series, and to create a rhythm using it. Hence the name, Ta Ka Dhi Mi 2358.
3. As an educator how do you believe combining elements like music helps children better understand or imbibe other subjects or concepts like mathematics?
It’s a wonderful combination and if you think about it, Indian Classical Music is deeply rooted in mathematics concepts. We cannot have music without taal and taal is mathematics. It is always engaging for children to link something like math which can be seen as a chore, to music which excites them. It opens up their creativity and helps them visualize and create. It is very important to make connections when we learn a new concept, it stays with kids longer. Being a parent myself to a 9 year old, these are tried and tested methods to trigger interest and curiosity.
4. You hold events around “mathemmusic” tell me a bit about that? And about any upcoming events as well?
The Mathemusic events have been linked to my book Ta Ka Dhi Mi 2358. I have one more publication, Bounce Hop Raaga Pop, which is also connected to math. Yes there are events planned in Mumbai and Pune in March at indie bookstores/libraries.
I feel I’m giving these kids a friend for life which will hold them together in the darkest of times. That is most rewarding, as a musician and as an educator.
5. What other sort of events or projects have you done in the past? Any particular ones or specials you’d like to mention?
I run a music program along with doing author events. I conduct concerts for my students, where they get a chance to perform for an audience, with a live band. These events happen twice a year in Mumbai, and I also do it in major cities in India where I have a good number of students so everyone feels included.
6. What’s been one of the most rewarding moments as a music educator for you?Any experience, memory or feedback that stands out?
Every interaction, every student, every curious question is special. I feel thrilled seeing kids genuinely enjoying Indian Classical Music and learning and singing raags, even in this K-Pop generation. I feel I’m giving these kids a friend for life which will hold them together in the darkest of times. That is most rewarding, as a musician and as an educator.
7. Finally, what are your future goals? Any other concepts you’d like to bring forward as a children’s book?
To be honest, I am taking it as it comes. I don’t plan that ahead, these ideas come to me out of the blue. I didn’t even know I wanted to be an author till 2020. If something resonates, I implement it. For now im enjoying the success of Ta Ka Dhi Mi and loving meeting kids all over India and discussing the book with them.
If you’re parent looking to engage their children in music classes or would like to attend one of their upcoming events, check out more information on the Sur Taal Aur Masti website. Follow them on Instagram for more updates.
(Image and embedded video courtesy of Sur Taal Aur Masti)
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