Welcome to the Tabla Theka blog, your trusted resource for learning tabla.
The Artist's Secret: Stay a Student for Life
In music, it’s easy to chase perfection. We want to be the fastest, the most skilled, the "best." But the true legends of Indian classical music taught me a secret: the greatest masters are always the greatest students.
This is the spirit of humility. It's a key step on The Musician's Path, and it’s what truly separates a good musician from a true artist.
Music is an Endless Ocean
The more you learn about music, the more you realize just how much there is to know. It feels like standing at the edge of a vast ocean. You could spend your whole life exploring and never reach the end.
A beginner might learn a few songs and feel like they know a lot. But a true artist, after decades of practice, understands how much they *still* have to learn. This doesn’t scare them; it excites them. It keeps their curiosity burning and their passion alive.
Humility is a Superpower, Not a Weakness
Being humble doesn't mean thinking less of yourself; it means thinking of yourself less. Here’s why it's so powerful for a musician:
You Stay Open to Learning
If you think you know it all, your growth stops. A humble musician is always ready to learn from anyone—a teacher, a friend, or even a different style of music.
You Play Better with Others
An arrogant musician plays to show off. A humble musician plays to connect. They listen, they support, and they know that the music is bigger than any one person's ego. This is the heart of great Sangat.
Your Audience Feels It
People connect with honesty. A performance that comes from a place of humility and service feels real and touches the heart, far more than a display of technical skill ever could.
Serve the Music
The journey of an artist isn’t about climbing a ladder to be the best. It's about serving the music. It’s about becoming a channel for something beautiful to pass through you into the world.
So, stay curious. Stay open. Stay a student. When you do, your musical journey will never end; it will just keep getting deeper and more beautiful for the rest of your life.