Harmonic Drums: A journey from craft to sound, language and physics

A musical introduction to the Indian Tabla through the untold story of how it inspired Sir CV Raman in his 1930 Nobel Prize winning work in Physics, by Selwyn Fellow and Director of Studies in Physics, Dr Deepak Venkateshvaran.

This talk combines the history of science, the physics of vibrating drum membranes, and a musical performance on the Indian Tabla.

It will discuss the unique construction and sound of the Tabla and tell the story of how it inspired the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics. The talk will also include components of musical performance and introduce rhythmic composition on the instrument.

The event takes place at the Quarry Whitehouse Auditorium, Selwyn College, Grange Road, CB3 9DQ. It is pictured above, as seen from above from Grange Road.

The Quarry Whitehouse Auditorium is located on the corner of West Road and Grange Road and can be accessed via the gate to Ann’s Court on Grange Road. The Auditorium will be signposted — but the Selwyn College Porters, located in the Lodge by the main entrance, will be more than happy to help direct you if you have trouble finding the auditorium.

Doors will open at 1:40pm. Please be seated by 1:55pm as the event will start promptly at 2:00pm. We expect to finish by 3:00pm at the latest.

If you are arriving by bike, you may lock your bicycles on the railings by the Quarry Whitehouse Auditorium.

Please note that photographs will be taken during this event and the audience may be visible at certain points on the livestream.

Host or Publisher Selwyn College, Cambridge