Fundamentals of Sitar with Srijanee Banerjee (In-person Workshop)

This is your chance to pick up that sitar and finally get over the fear of learning a new instrument.

Whether it’s been sitting in the corner of your room or calling to you from afar, the sitar is one of the most expressive and rewarding instruments in the world, and this is where your journey begins. On Saturday 27 June, 1–4pm at Darbar Studios, join artist, teacher, and ITC scholar Srijanee Banerjee for an intimate, hands-on workshop built specifically for beginners. In just three hours, you’ll move from uncertainty to your first real musical moment, playing a traditional composition in one of Hindustani classical music’s most beloved ragas. Small group, expert guidance, and a warm space to make your first sounds confidently.

Here’s what you’ll walk away with:

By the end of the session, you’ll know how to tune your sitar accurately, one of the biggest hurdles for any beginner, solved from day one. You’ll be introduced to meend, the signature expressive technique that gives the sitar its unmistakable, soulful voice, and begin to feel it under your fingers. Through focused exercises, you’ll start to build left- and right-hand coordination — the foundation of speed, clarity, and control as you grow. And in a moment you’ll want to remember, you’ll play your first gat in Raga Yaman, a raga known for its beauty and grace, brought to life through a traditional composition.

A rare chance to learn from an exceptional teacher

Srijanee Banerjee is not just a gifted performer — she is an exceptionally skilled teacher who combines deep technical knowledge with real performance insight. Her teaching style is clear, encouraging, and rooted in the living tradition of Hindustani classical music. In an intimate in-person setting, you’ll receive the kind of personalised attention that’s simply not possible in a large class or online.