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Learn Mridangam
From Anywhere in the World
A structured Carnatic Mridangam learning path combining world-class teaching, personalized guidance, and flexible options for learners worldwide — beginner to advanced designed for U.S., UK, Canada, Singapore and global learners.
Nam Dhi Academy (the new home of Mridangam.org) founded by Akshay Anantapadmanabhan
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 Leading Hybrid Mridangam Training System in the U.S. and Canada
Weekly online lessons + periodic in-person intensives when Akshay tours.
Brining the rigour and culture of Chennai's Carnatic rhythm to the North America
Mridangam Class — Online
Weekly private or group classes taught by faculty trained directly by Akshay.
Active hub locations:
United States
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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
Canada
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Toronto, Canada
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Ontario, Canada
* Locations where Nam Dhi faculty reside
Student Results
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Successful arangetrams conducted across the U.S. (in New Jersey, California [San Francisco, Sacramento], Illinois [Chicago], North Carolina [Raleigh])
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Students perform at festivals across the countries
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Senior students perform at Margazhi Music festival ("December Season" Chennai)
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Guaranteed improvement and long-term excellence in the art of mridangam playing
Book Your Spot for 1-on-1 Mridangam Training
30 min
Region-Based Fees
No Time to Schedule Weekly Classes?
Learn mridangam basics on your own schedule with The Self-Paced Mridangam Course.
Learn at Your Own Pace, from Anywhere with feedback!
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.
Frequently asked questions
Ready for Your Mridangam Journey?
Tell us a bit about your goals and we’ll guide you to the right class.