The museum "Taa Dhaa" was created in cherish memory of Tabla stalwart Late Pandit Chatur lal in his modest house in South Extension – II, New Delhi that was built shortly before his death in 1965. The museum had been named "Taa Dhaa" as he was called "Taa" by his family and "Dhaa" is the first syllable of Tabla.

The museum is an effort by his son "Charanjit Chaturlal" and his daughter "Shruti Chaturlal" to revive Late Pandit Chatur Lal again in hearts of all his music lovers and generations to come.

The museum Taa Dhaa complies maestro's personal belongings, his instruments, films, correspondences, photographs, newspaper cuttings, and all his recordings, which are collected from all over the world wherever the maestro had performed.


The first glance in museum's entrance goes to his personal belongings which includes his soap which he bought from Paris and was used by him in his last days, perfume, his gold kurta buttons, parker pen, letter heads, passport, health card, shaving kit with a tiny sewing kit, Ray Ban & Polaroid glares with their cases. Down this are kept his two suitcases (for national & international travel) with his rain coat. 

Right to this is a closet, displays his worship possessions which includes photographs of the God and Goddesses that he used worship, Rudrakh mala (necklace used while worshiping) and few utensils and sticks used by him. An interesting thing was though how busy he may be but every Tuesday Pandit Chatur Lal used to stand on his one foot for an hour and worship Lord Hanuman.

His clothes are further showcased which not only include his kurta's shervani's and pajamas but also the 'stylish' western wears. On the top of his closet shows the utensils in which he used to eat and the dinner sets he bought during his German tour in 1964 and a tea set which was presented to him after his performance with his name engraved on them.

Another attractive piece is the old golden days refrigerator gifted by Dr. Lothar Lutze which is still in working condition.

A separate section is made which displays all his electronic belongings like Murphy Radio, LP record player, camera, kettle and a small iron which he used to take with him on his international tours, a transistor and a spool player.

The most eye catching are his instruments ‘Tabla’ which are placed in the centre of the museum with its original skin of 1955. 

The museum contains masterpieces among them the rarest is a recording of the first ever fusion concert between Eastern & Western Drums. This recording is being featured by Pandit Chatur Lal on Tabla and God of Drums Papa Jo Jones which was live telecast all over USA through OMNIBUS Series in 1957 made by Mr. Robert Saudek. The noteworthy part is that this recording is a Collector's item which can be viewed either at Library of Congress in Washington D.C. USA or at the Museum in New Delhi. 

The museum archive also consists of many such rare films like A Chairy Tale, a Canadian animated film by renowned film maker Mr. Norman Maclaren & Claude Jutra which is a small story about a man and a chair and their friendship. The music was given by Pt. Ravi Shankar & Pandit Chatur Lal  which got nominated in Oscars in 1957 and won the prestigious Bafta Award in the same year. 

Records like Drums of India, Drums on Fire, Beat & Bow, Three Raagas, India - Its Music & Its People, India's Master Musician, Drums of North & South, Classics of India, East Meets West, German films Wonderful Times Beautiful Times, French films A Certain View, A Documentary 'Rythmes d'aillenres' and many more combines the treasure of the museum. 

On the right to these masterpieces are the two carpets displayed on the wall which were presented to him by King of Iran in 1961 and another by King of Afghanistan. 

Next closet is divided in two, in front of each other which shows his fetish for Ties. His collection include 21 ties all with different colors and styles. In its centre , the wall lines up with his childhood photographs with presence of his guru's (teacher), a photograph portraying special moment with his wife in Udaipur and  with few dignitaries like Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru (First Prime Minister of India), Famous Tap Dancer Mr. Gene Kelly.

The museum comprises of more than 1000 collection of photographs from all over the World with many beautiful press clippings. One of the files also entails more than 500 condolence letters from all over the World, from his friends, family and fans on his sudden demise in 1965. 

Next to them are his old house electronic fittings including Lights, fans, wire also displayed with sticks which were used by him when he was sick and was in his last stage. 

For Mrs. Chatur Lal the most precious and close to her heart after his instruments was the yellow golden purse displayed in the museum which he got for her from his tour to Australia. She still could not forget that moment and carried on with many remembrances with tears in her eyes and said only one thing "he went so early".

Charanjit Lal (eldest son) was just 9 years old when he lost his father. Though so young but he recollects "at the time my father expired and was bought home from the hospital, the main road coming to our home was full of flowers with huge crowd to have a last glance of my father when his body was taken to the cremation ground Nigambodh Ghat".

Looking at this fondness for him in eyes of his lovers, he decided to keep his father's name alive forever with same fame and glory and since then he started keeping his belongings safely with a dream to make a museum someday dedicated to The Beat Musician, Pandit Chatur Lal.

This effort was been taken by his son Charanjit Lal and granddaughter Shruti Chaturlal when their dream came to reality on 29th November, 2009 which was inaugurated by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Delhi Mrs. Sheila Dikshit and Royal His Highness of Udaipur Sh. Arvind Singh ji Mewar.

Charanjit Lal shares "I was surprised that his fame was such, that it's still been appreciated by the audience in India and abroad about which I learnt during my conversation from his old correspondence. For instance Mrs. Sharon Percy Rockefeller was kind and happy enough to revive such old association. This truly portrays his true and musical relationship with many countries".

Shruti adds, "The museum “Taa Dhaa” is not merely a museum but also pours the love and effort of the people who had heard my grandfather then and have given us inspiration to beautify it."

“When we exchanged our thoughts with my grandfather's friends and their families who are alive, they reciprocated by sharing their feelings about him and their emotions signifying how much they miss him. Some of them helped us in getting his recordings and rare films as their tribute to my grandfather. This was another major reason which encouraged all our family members to give in our finest efforts to create this museum and keep him alive for all music lovers and generations to come.", says Shruti Chaturlal.

She further shares "I feel so blessed to be born in a family where my grandfather was known as "Beat Musician" and any effort taken to revive him for his immense contribution specially in the field of Indian percussion world will be much less compared with his soulful music".

A recent addition to the museum is the tabla pair with original skin of 1960s which were bought from Germany and were donated to the museum by Pandit Chatur Lal's student and friend Dr. Lothar Lutze. The tabla's were accompanied by a lamp, a series of photographs which were taken in 1950s in New Delhi and most precious his hand written bols (language of tabla). 

We would request you all, if you have any material of any form related to Pandit Chatur Lal, please do inform us as your contribution will be highly appreciated for which we will be highly grateful to you.