Robbinsville, New Jersey, USA: Echoing the words of tabla legend Zakir Hussain, a pair of young twins from New Jersey believe the tabla is far more than a musical instrument—it’s a heartbeat of rhythm and life itself.
In the quiet town of Robbinsville, it’s rare to come across teenagers deeply devoted to Indian classical percussion. Yet, 11th graders Sahil and Rohan Gandhi, fondly known as the Tabla Twins, are balancing their school studies with the music academy they launched in 2023 to keep the tradition alive.
“We noticed that our community lacked enough teachers for tabla, so that gave us the idea to start our own academy,” Sahil explained. Inspired by their father—an engineer who also DJs—Sahil picked up the tabla at just five years old. Soon after, his brother Rohan joined him on the same journey.
The duo has been catching attention lately with their creative Instagram videos, blending classical tabla beats with modern sounds. “It feels amazing to give something back to the community while also showcasing an art form that’s quite rare here,” Rohan added.
While Sahil draws musical influence from Zakir Hussain and filmmaker-composer Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Rohan prefers the contemporary vibe of Bad Bunny. Their contrasting inspirations often push them to experiment with fusions, creating a sound that merges tradition with modernity.
“Tabla is unlike any other instrument,” said Sahil. “It has the ability to blend seamlessly into every layer of a song, no matter what genre it is.”
For the past two years, they’ve been teaching around ten neighborhood kids, mostly of Indian heritage between ages 10 and 12. “These students are wonderful. Watching their progress year after year is exciting—it’ll be their third year with us now,” Rohan shared proudly.
Recently, the brothers also authored a board book titled A Baby’s Guide to Tabla, which has begun making its way into New Jersey libraries, extending their mission to younger audiences.
Their mother, Bhoomi Gandhi, originally from Gujarat and now working as a risk manager, emphasized the importance of preserving culture. Growing up in the U.S., she had to adapt quickly to American life but wanted her sons to remain connected to their roots. “We wanted them to embrace our culture, and music seemed perfect because it’s a universal language,” she said.
Although Sahil and Rohan don’t often speak Gujarati or Hindi, they manage to belt out Bollywood numbers flawlessly while playing their tabla rhythms.
Looking ahead, the brothers may walk different paths—Sahil hopes to pursue finance, while Rohan plans a career in marketing. This may challenge their ability to run the academy together, but their mother is optimistic. “Even if they go their separate ways, the tabla will stay with them. In one way or another, they’ll carry this art forward,” Bhoomi said with confidence.
As Sahil concluded, echoing his idol Zakir Hussain: “Tabla isn’t just an instrument—it’s a way of life.” The passion of New Jersey’s Tabla Twins is certain to endure.
