सा रे ग म प ध नि
Saraswati School of Music

Sitar Classes with Vatsal Dave

In-person in Dallas, TX and online worldwide via Zoom. Beginner to advanced — rooted in the Imdadkhani gharana tradition.

Concerto In Khamaj | SitarBug Students Perform | From left to right: Divya, Ananya, Gayatri, Gurjot, Shubra, and Scott.

Raga Puriya Dhanashri | Class In Session

The Teaching Approach

A Living Tradition, Made Accessible

Vatsal brings 25+ years of performance and teaching experience to students of all levels. His English-friendly notation system makes the oral tradition of Indian classical music accessible to international learners — no prior music theory required.

Drawing from his Imdadkhani gharana lineage under Pt. Budhaditya Mukherjee, his teaching combines rigorous classical discipline with an encouraging, personalized approach suited to each student's pace and goals.

North Indian classical ragas — beginner to advanced
Gayaki ang (vocal style) sitar technique
English-friendly music notation system
Sufi & devotional music repertoire
World fusion improvisation & composition
In-person · Dallas, TX & Online worldwide via Zoom
New Students — One-Time Initiation Fee · $49
Required before your first class. Includes a set of sitar strings, setup materials, and a complimentary copy of Sitar 101. Make-up classes available within the same month. Sitars available for rent from $50/month.
Pay Initiation Fee — $49
Choose Your Path

Class Packages

Book a Drop-In Class
1
New Students — Required First
Pay Initiation Fee
One-time $49 — includes Sitar 101 book & a set of strings. Returning students skip to step 2.
Pay $49 Now
2
All Students
Choose Your Package
Pick the bundle that matches your level. After payment, reply to your Stripe receipt to schedule your first class — Vatsal confirms within 24 hours.
Three packages below — beginner to advanced
Level I
Foundations
Beginner
Sitar Foundations
Master the essentials — proper posture, tuning, basic strokes (da-ra), and your first melodies. Designed for those with no prior sitar experience.
  • Proper hold, posture & instrument care
  • Tuning & basic string maintenance
  • Da and Ra stroke mechanics
  • Pentatonic scales & your first raga melody
  • English-friendly notation system
$2604-class bundle
Enroll & Pay — $260
Level II
Raga
Intermediate
Know the Raga
Unlock the soul of the sitar — refine your technique, begin to improvise with feeling, and play expressive raga compositions from the classical repertoire.
  • Raga grammar, structure & emotional colour
  • Alap — slow melodic exposition
  • Meend (glissando) & gamak ornaments
  • Gayaki ang (vocal-style) phrasing
  • 2–3 classical raga compositions
$4808-class bundle
Enroll & Pay — $480
Level III
Exploration
Advanced
Raga Exploration
Master intricate techniques, unlock deeper improvisation, and express the full breadth and soul of the sitar through complete raga performances.
  • Alap, jor & jhala performance form
  • Advanced layakari & rhythmic play
  • Vilambit & drut composition
  • Stage-ready full raga performance
  • Personalised repertoire planning
$66012-class bundle
Enroll & Pay — $660
Sitar 101 book by Vatsal Dave
Included with Enrollment
Sitar 101 — by Vatsal Dave
Vatsal's own notation guide, included free with the $49 initiation fee. Also available separately on Amazon.
Buy on Amazon
Vatsal Dave — sitar teacher
Your Teacher

Vatsal Dave

A direct disciple of Padma Bhushan awardee Pt. Budhaditya Mukherjee — one of the foremost living exponents of the Imdadkhani gharana and the gayaki style of sitar. Vatsal studied at the Rotterdam World Music Conservatory in Holland and has performed across the US, UK, Canada, and India for over 25 years.

As founder of Saraswati School of Music in Dallas and author of Sitar 101, he has created a uniquely accessible path into this living tradition — without sacrificing depth or authenticity.

Rotterdam World Music Conservatory Imdadkhani Gharana Lineage Saraswati School of Music · Dallas Author · Sitar 101 25+ Years Teaching
Common Questions

FAQ

Do I need my own sitar to start?
No — sitars are available to rent from $50/month, so you don't need to buy one before your first class. When you're ready to purchase, Vatsal can recommend the right instrument for your level and budget.
Can I take classes online?
Yes. All packages are available via Zoom and many current students attend remotely from outside Dallas. You'll receive PDF notation materials after each class, making remote learning highly effective.
What happens after I pay?
You'll receive a Stripe receipt immediately. Reply to that email — or write to [email protected] — to schedule your first class. Vatsal confirms within 24 hours. Weekday evenings and weekend slots are available for both in-person (Dallas) and Zoom.
What if I miss a scheduled class?
Make-up classes are available within the same calendar month. Just let Vatsal know in advance and he'll find a time that works.
How quickly will I be playing recognisable music?
Most beginners play their first complete raga melody within 4–6 classes. The Sitar Foundations package is designed specifically to reach that milestone — full melodies, not just exercises.
Do I need prior music theory or experience?
None at all. Vatsal's English-friendly notation system removes that barrier entirely — no solfège, no Western theory, no prior instrument experience required. The tradition is oral; he has adapted it to be immediately accessible to anyone.
What is the Imdadkhani gharana?
A gharana is a hereditary school of classical music. The Imdadkhani gharana — founded by Imdad Khan in the 19th century — is renowned for the gayaki ang (vocal-style) approach on sitar, which emphasises melodic expression, nuance, and emotional depth over speed. Vatsal trained directly under Padma Bhushan Pt. Budhaditya Mukherjee, one of its foremost living exponents.
Still have questions?
Reach out before you enroll
[email protected] (469) 600-4290