Varanasi tabla by Anwar

[shen]

Namaste,

I am back in Varanasi for another 3 month stay and will once again be able to supply tabla and spare skins made by my tabla maker Mohammad Anwar. I began sending people tabla and skins from here a couple of years ago and have had all good reports so far.

After I get your specifications I will make the order with Anwar, check for quality and if you like I'll play it a little over a couple of weeks to make sure it's really nice, no buzzing etc, then arrange shipping by EMS (or your preffered method). For this I will charge expenses plus a commission which varies according to the size of the order and necessary effort, but as a guide I generally want Rs3000 on top of the price of a set of tabla. Last year I sent a very nice set with 6" tabla and copper bayan, spare skins, rings, covers, hammer and hard case to US for Rs16000 (about $US350).

Anwar's spare skins are also notably reliable and beautiful. As an example of cost, last year I sent 2 large (6" and 6.5") skins to UK for Rs2000.

I will be in Varanasi until early April but would prefer to take orders only in the first month or so, so that I will have time to go through the whole process in a relaxed fashion.

I can be contacted by email at shen@ethnosuperlounge.com

[jrinker]

First off Shen is an outstanding person. I met him through his website and contacted him about getting me some tablas. Without even knowing me, he helped me get two excellent dayas, a beautiful baya and heads for all the drums as well as very durable tabla cases. I wired him the money and he came through with super quality tablas. He was quick and patient with my questions via email.

Maybe next year I will meet up with him in Varanasi and thank him personally.

[Shawn]

Hi everyone,

I highly reccomend Shen and the tabla he sells. Myself and a student bought some drums from him last year, and we were not dissapointed. Everything was delivered as promised, with no hassles at all. Authentic drums from Benares (Varanasi) are hard to come by outside of India, so this is a good opportunity to get the real deal.

Best regards,
Shawn

[alam123]

I know the three major and well known tabla manufaturers from Banaras - Imtiyaz Ali Munna, Bashiruddin and Anwar. Recently Anwar has made a name of producing the very best Banarasi tabla - they aren't closed as those of Bashiruddin and they do not buzz as those of Munna do sometimes +plus they keep the tune. I can recommend Anwars tabla.

[shen]

In response to a common question: I can take payment via Paypal (add 3% for credit card payments). Customers in Australia can direct deposit to my bank account (note that due to quarantine there is a special process to go through when sending to Australia).

For spare skins, basic cost is Rs1000 for first puri then Rs700 each after that, plus postage and Paypal fee if relevant.

[Bhagi]

I just want everyone to know that I ordered and received 3 skins from Shen. Service, communication, and everything else was first rate. The sknis are excellent and it was a pleasure to work with Shen.

[shen]

Thanks very much for your recommendations Bhagi.

I am leaving Varanasi tomorrow so I won't be able to take any further orders this year. In fact I had to turn two orders down because I didn't want to rush them in my last days here.

Hopefully my money situation will be good this year (I'm intending to devote myself to full-time music-making, so the money side is questionable), and I'll be back in Varanasi next year.