Tablaphilia is a tabla symphony based on the central theme of Chaturashram, the four stages of human life. Composed and directed by renowned tabla maestro, Pandit Samir Chatterjee, the Chhandayan Tabla Symphony brings together the power of 22 thundering tablas and four gifted vocalists to produce a moving and inspiring sound experience.

This 70-minute symphony interprets the four stages of human life (ashrams) as perceived and maintained by ancient Indians - Bramhacharya (student – in pursuit of knowledge,) Grahastha (family and vocational – application of knowledge in real life situtations,) Banaprastha (retirement and transition – one step in the city, another in the forest,) and Sanyasa (complete renunciation- ecstasy,) through abstract drum-language.

This enthralling production made its debut performance at Chhandayan’s All Night Concert in May of 2009 and grew to further perfection, particularly after its successful seven-city tour of Karnataka a year and a half later. In the words of some well-known musicians of this style of music, “Tablaphilia has certainly expanded the range of the tabla.” Another said, “it really excited me in a way I have not experienced in a long time." In October of 2011, Tablaphilia was performed in The Great Hall of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City for veteran listeners of Indian classical music and newcomers alike. Museum administrators raved that, “Tablaphilia transformed the museum into a temple,” and called it “a life-changing concert!” From its exuberant beginnings to its meditative end, Tablaphilia transcends nationality and culture and speaks to all those who experience it.