It seems destined that Sahil and Rohan Gandhi would become musicians. Their dad Rayan is a DJ, and Rayan’s uncles are trained in percussion and singing. Their mother Bhoomi’s father used to play the tabla and now sings recreationally. Their great-grandmother was a music teacher in India.
Sahil and Rohan have been playing instruments since they were 3 years old, and now as freshmen at Robbinsville Township High School in Mercer County, they not only perform for the public but also offer lessons to their peers.
Sahil started with the tabla, which is an Indian percussion instrument, because his family inherited a set from his grandfather.
His twin brother Rohan started with the harmonium, an Indian piano-like instrument, at age 3, with a teacher in Plainsboro. The instructor passed away two years later, so Sahil trained with the Taalim School for the tabla but there weren’t many harmonium teachers around. Rohan switched to the tabla after his fifth birthday – getting a pair from his grandfather’s friend – and then the boys attended the Rhythm Academy. Since then, both boys have been playing the tabla for over 10 years.
They use the drum-like instrument to play Bollywood, pop and fusion music, and are often asked to play for their family and friends, and also at their school talent show, weddings, parties, the South Asian Festival in Metuchen, the Diwali parade in Robbinsville and the recent opening of Rani restaurant in Hamilton Twp. It requires a lot of concentration and precision because your two hands play different notes at the same time.
Sahil then decided to teach himself how to play the dhol, another Indian percussion instrument, since his dad plays.
Last year, they decided to share their talents through The Tabla Twins Academy. During the summer, they created lesson plans and materials. In September, they began advertising themselves in community WhatsApp groups. But they found the challenge with the tabla was finding students who have their own instrument to play.
After some work to find kids who were interested and ready to go, the boys had six students ranging from 5 to 9 years old join their academy. Classes are held every Sunday for 45 minutes. Sahil manages three students and Rohan manages another three, both in different parts of the house. Although a short summer break is planned, lessons will resume again in August. They hope to continue with the same students all year so that in Summer 2025 a recital can be held to show off their talents.
“At first, playing the tabla was a way for my husband and myself to keep our kids connected to music, our heritage and our family lineage,” says their mom Bhoomi, who is second-generation Indian American. “Even as toddlers, Sahil loved to bang on the tablas and Rohan loved to press the keys of toy pianos. The love of music was there so it was our job as parents to cultivate that spirit.”
Outside of their musical space, Rohan and Sahil tutor at the Trenton Library via their other nonprofit, Trident Tutoring.
They are both avid fencers and as part of the USTA Junior Tennis Teams, will volunteer as assistant tennis coaches this summer.
Sahil is the current freshman class president at Robbinsville High and was reelected as next year’s class president. He is passionate about STEM and is part of the Science Olympiad team.
Rohan is part of the school’s Future Business Leaders Association (FBLA) and a competitive member of the Math League. This past year he was part of the Junior Varsity Winter Track team. He is also passionate about photography and won the Award of Excellence for a photo he took in the area of the Town Center Lake gazebo in Robbinsville. He recently started a photography business where he exchanges photos for donations to charities.
To learn more, visit The Tabla Twins on Instagram.
Get the latest on the best things to do with your family in and around New Jersey by signing up for our newsletter and following us on Pinterest, Facebook and Instagram!
Read More:
Bergen County Teen Co-Authors Book With Ukrainian Refugee
A Teen From Union County Won $2,500 to Better Her Community
Somerset County Teen Advocates For Volleyball in Her Community
This Summit Teen is Serving Her Community With New Tennis Program
