{"id":156,"date":"2014-10-01T15:26:46","date_gmt":"2014-10-01T15:26:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/?page_id=156"},"modified":"2025-05-31T11:54:21","modified_gmt":"2025-05-31T11:54:21","slug":"about-us","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/?page_id=156","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"156\" class=\"elementor elementor-156\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-773829a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"773829a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7709816 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7709816\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1f1f020 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1f1f020\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-253e1c1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"253e1c1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ebf6080 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"ebf6080\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2dbae5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e2dbae5\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3144401 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3144401\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Vision<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aed5e2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aed5e2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>SIPM, A 501(c)3 non-profit, was established in 2008 by Gourisankar as a vehicle for teaching, promoting and sharing the great Indian traditional of tabla and percussion with both kids and adults seeking to explore and develop their skills and talents and carry in the tradition as Gourisankar learned from his Gurus. Also,SIPM hosts and presents musical events to introduce the classical Indian musical tradition as well as to explore music played around the world.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1322636 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1322636\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9a818e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a9a818e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Our Purpose &amp; Activities<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b199001 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b199001\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The School of Indian Percussion and Music, founded by the esteemed Tabla Maestro Pandit Gourisankar, is dedicated to the preservation, promotion, and advancement of Indian classical music, with a special focus on percussion instruments like the Tabla. Our mission is to provide high-quality education, training, and exposure to the rich traditions of Indian music while fostering creativity and excellence among students of all ages and backgrounds.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Purpose<\/span><\/h2>\n<span style=\"color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\">Preserve Traditional Music: Safeguard and promote the ancient art forms of Indian classical music and percussion.<\/span><br><span style=\"color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\">Foster Musical Excellence: Cultivate high standards of performance and technical proficiency in students.<\/span><br><span style=\"color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\">Cultural Enrichment: Encourage a deeper understanding of India&#8217;s cultural heritage through music.<\/span><br><span style=\"color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\">Inspire Future Generations: Nurture aspiring musicians to carry forward the legacy of great maestros like Pandit Gourisankar.<\/span><br><span style=\"color: rgb(255, 255, 255);\">Global Awareness: Bridge the gap between Indian classical music and global audiences by showcasing the universality of the art form.<\/span><br><ul>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><br><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Activities<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><b>Comprehensive Music Education:<\/b><br>Offering structured courses in Indian classical music, specializing in Tabla and Kathak Dance<\/p>\n<p><b>Guru-Shishya Parampara (Mentorship):<\/b><br>Following the traditional teacher-student system, where personalized guidance and interaction with Pandit Gourisankar and other master musicians is prioritized.<\/p>\n<p><b>Workshops and Masterclasses:<\/b><br>Organizing regular workshops, masterclasses, and lectures conducted by eminent musicians from across the globe.<\/p>\n<p><b>Performance Opportunities:<\/b><br>Providing students with opportunities to perform at concerts, festivals, and cultural events, both locally and internationally.<\/p>\n<p><b>Collaborations and Cross-Cultural Exchange:<\/b><br>Engaging in collaborations with artists from various genres, fostering an exchange of ideas and expanding the reach of Indian percussion music worldwide.<\/p>\n<p><b>Research and Innovation:<\/b><br>Promoting research in Indian rhythm systems (tala) and techniques, as well as encouraging experimentation and fusion with contemporary musical forms.<\/p>\n<p><b>Student Concerts and Recitals:&nbsp;<\/b><br>Hosting annual student recitals and public performances to display the progress and talent of our students.<\/p>\n<p><b>Online and Distance Learning:&nbsp;<\/b><br>Offering virtual lessons and online resources to reach a global audience, enabling access to high-quality Indian percussion training from anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n<p><b>Community Engagement and Outreach Programs:<\/b><br>Organizing music outreach programs for underprivileged communities to bring the joy of music to diverse audiences.<\/p>\n<p>By continuing the legacy of Pandit Gourisankar, the school is not only a place of learning but a vibrant center for the thriving and evolution of Indian percussion music.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43cc348 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"43cc348\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-778996d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"778996d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">About the Founder<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51591f8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"51591f8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>Pandit Gourisankar: The Visionary Behind the School<\/b><\/p>\n<p>A revered figure in the world of Indian classical music, Pandit Gourisankar is a distinguished disciple of the legendary Pandit Sankha Chatterjee, a master of the Farukabad Gharana, and an accomplished tabla virtuoso. Trained in both the Punjab Gharana and Farukabad Gharana, Pandit Gourisankar brings a unique blend of traditional and contemporary perspectives to his teaching, making him one of the most sought-after maestros of his generation.<\/p>\n<p>Pandit Gourisankar\u2019s commitment to preserving the purity of classical tabla while integrating innovative approaches to teaching has shaped the ethos of the School of Indian Percussion and Music. Through his guidance, students gain a comprehensive understanding of rhythm, technique, and the deeper philosophical aspects of music.<\/p>\n<p><br><\/p>\n<p><b>The Legacy of the Punjab and Farukabad Gharanas<\/b><\/p>\n<p>The Punjab Gharana and Farukabad Gharana are two of the most respected and influential schools of tabla playing, each with its own distinctive style and technique. Pandit Gourisankar\u2019s mastery of both gharanas has allowed him to teach a rich variety of tabla traditions, giving students the opportunity to explore the best of both worlds.<\/p>\n<p>Punjab Gharana is known for its bold, powerful, and rhythmically complex compositions, emphasizing a deep connection between the tabla and the performer\u2019s inner expression.<\/p>\n<p>Farukabad Gharana, on the other hand, is famous for its intricate finger techniques, delicate nuances, and the emphasis on precision and clarity in every stroke.<\/p>\n<p>Pandit Gourisankar, a rare expert in both traditions, has created a space where these two gharanas coexist, offering students a well-rounded and diverse understanding of tabla playing. This unique synthesis has become one of the school\u2019s defining features, setting it apart as a premier destination for tabla learners.<\/p>\n<div><br><\/div>\n<div><br><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27cb0e6 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"27cb0e6\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7caeb20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7caeb20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Message from Father &amp; First Guru<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ee7694 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"7ee7694\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aac56d3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"aac56d3\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-23a15db e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"23a15db\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1b0bb7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b1b0bb7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"447\" src=\"https:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Gouris-Father.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-471\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Gouris-Father.jpg 540w, https:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Gouris-Father-300x248.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b0c972 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1b0c972\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9827774 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"9827774\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c8e6bfb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c8e6bfb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Message from Father <\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92da382 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"92da382\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0e3202a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0e3202a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It is a great pleasure for me to know Sri Gouri Sankar Karmakar, my son and one of most eminent disciples, is going to open a Musical\u00a0 Institute in Austin. On this auspicious occasion, I most humbly remember our revered preceptor, Late Ustaad Keramatulla Khan Shaheb and wished his blessings be showered on this Institute to make each one of its disciples eminent career to provide the heavenly pleasure of Indian music to millions of music lovers all over the universe.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-526d38a e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"526d38a\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-09864e4 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"09864e4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-47f7d28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"47f7d28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"239\" height=\"305\" src=\"https:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Gouris-Guruji.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-472\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Gouris-Guruji.jpg 239w, https:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/10\/Gouris-Guruji-235x300.jpg 235w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 239px) 100vw, 239px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-13247e9 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"13247e9\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c37f3db e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"c37f3db\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e5b0ab2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e5b0ab2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Message from Guruji<\/h2>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a1e0e6e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"a1e0e6e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-288b609 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"288b609\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>I am happy to know that my dear disciple Gourisankar has organised to open school of Indian music-naming&#8217;The Austin School of Indian Percussion&#8217;. In India\u00a0 the Guru Sishya (disciple) relation is same as father &amp; son and I love Gouri as my own son. We(me &amp; his father) affectionately call him Madhu which is more intimate to me than Gourisankar! My heartiest blessings and good wished will be always with Gorusisankar and his firend who are assisting \/ helping him to build up on Instituion to study tabla in proper way. I pray to God for the success of the school.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vision SIPM, A 501(c)3 non-profit, was established in 2008 by Gourisankar as a vehicle for teaching, promoting and sharing the great Indian traditional of tabla and percussion with both kids and adults seeking to explore and develop their skills and talents and carry in the tradition as Gourisankar learned from his Gurus. Also,SIPM hosts and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_header_footer","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":{"0":"post-156","1":"page","2":"type-page","3":"status-publish","5":"entry"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/156"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=156"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/156\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.austinsipm.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}