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Nam Dhi Academy is one of the leading platforms for learning mridangam online with a curated design for step-by-stem organized learning. Students learn through weekly online classes, hybrid in-person intensives in major U.S. cities, and a time-tested progression system trusted by families worldwide.
Hybrid & Online Mridangam Learning (US & Global) for all ages starting from kids to adults
Time-tested mridangam teaching methodology preserving the lineage of the Tanjore tradition of mridangam playing
Mridangam Journey from: Beginner → Intermediate → Advanced → Mridangam Arangetram → to the Nam Dhi Ensemble & More
Why Families Choose Nam Dhi Academy
1
Premium Mentorship
Students learn under Akshay Anantapadmanabhan — globally reputed and touring mridangam artist, trained under Guru T.H. Subash Chandran furthering the Tanjore lineage of mridangam playing.
2
Hybrid Learning Advantage (US-focused)
Online weekly classes + in-person intensives twice a year in major U.S. hubs (New Jersey, Seattle, Chicago, New York, Dallas, Bay Area, Raleigh, Virginia DC, Los Angeles).
3
Time-tested, structured curriculum
A modernized version of the Tanjore tradition — digitalized by Akshay after 20+ years of teaching refinement and collaboration with his guru's 50+ years of experience.
1000+
Students
Taught
70+
Years Teaching Methodology Backing
8+
Countries
Meet Your Mentor
Founder of Nam Dhi Academy
Akshay Anantapadmanabhan is an internationally acclaimed mridangam artist with 25+ years of performing and teaching. Trained under maestros in Chennai and performing globally, he bridges traditional Carnatic rhythm with modern accessibility — focusing on rigor and lineage.
He has:
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Performed across the U.S., Europe, India & Singapore
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Conducted workshops at NYU Abu Dhabi, Theatre du Soleil (France), Singapore
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Guided students to mridangam arangetrams in the U.S. (NJ, Raleigh, San Francisco, Chicago, Sacramento)
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Students now perform at Margazhi Music Festival, Chennai
Akshay teaches students worldwide through hybrid online mridangam classes and self-paced rhythm training. Whether you're in the U.S., India, or anywhere else — you can learn mridangam and konnakol from a professional performer with 20+ years of concert experience.
Creativity, Logic, Critical Thinking and personalized learning are our foundations.
Students don’t just learn mridangam — they learn to think rhythm.
Your Learning Journey
1
BEGINNER → FOUNDATION
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Focused 1-on-1 training with top-notch faculty (who are trained directly by Akshay)
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From kids ages 6+ to adults who are passionate about mridangam
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Students advance at their own pace with personalized feedback and structured milestones
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Parents and students get access to the student portal
2
INTERMEDIATE → GROWTH
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Transition to Akshay for advanced training
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Mridangam Competition Training
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Layam and talam training
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Konnakol fluency
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Intermediate to advanced lesson compositions
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Thinking about and listening to Carnatic music
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Introduction to Carnatic song accompaniment
3
ADVANCED → ARANGETRAM + PERFORMANCE TRACK
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Solo repertoire, tani avartanam building
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Advanced phrases for solos and song accompaniment
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Artist development & stage coaching to arangetram training
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Arangetram Completion
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Guidance after the arangetram deeper into mridangam performance, accompaniment and maintainance
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Chennai immersion learning (margazhi and off-season)
The Only Hybrid Mridangam Training System in the U.S
Weekly online lessons + periodic in-person intensives when Akshay tours.
Brining the rigour and culture of Carnatic rhythm to the U.S.
Mridangam Class — Online
Weekly private or group classes taught by faculty trained directly by Akshay.
Active hub cities:
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New Jersey*
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Seattle*
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Chicago*
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New York City*
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Dallas
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San Francisco Bay Area (Tracy, Cupertino, San Jose)*
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Raleigh
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Virginia / DC
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Los Angeles
* Locations where Nam Dhi faculty reside
Student Results
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Multiple arangetrams in the U.S.
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Students perform at festivals across the country
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Senior students perform at Margazhi (Chennai)
Book Your Spot for 1 on 1 Training
30 min
Region-Based Fees
The Self-Paced Mridangam Course
No Time to schedule classes?
Get Started on Foundational Training Now — Learn at Your Own Pace, from Anywhere
A complete beginner-to-intermediate curriculum designed by Akshay Anantapadmanabhan and based on a time-tested teaching lineage refined over 50+ years.
This structured online course guides students through over 40 step-by-step lessons that build technique, clarity, and rhythmic confidence. Ideal for beginners of all ages, the program also includes a bonus Layam Training series and a plan which includes full year of access with optional monthly feedback from Akshay or Nam Dhi faculty.
What You’ll Receive
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40+ progressive video lessons
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Bonus: Layam mastery exercises
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1-year access to the full course
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Monthly faculty feedback option
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Clear practice checklists and milestones
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Designed for students in the US, India, and worldwide
Trusted by Students Globally
Students from the US, UK, Europe, Singapore, and India have trained through Akshay’s systematic method — built on decades of teaching, performing, and digital learning refinement.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to Start Your Mridangam Journey?
Tell us a bit about your goals and we’ll guide you to the right class.