Jin Won (above) of South Korea and Heena Patel (upper right) of Toronto are part of Taalika, an all-female tabla ensemble that will perform March 18 at the Taalim School of Indian Music in Edison. Professional tabla player and Taalim School musician Prasad Joshi (right) conducts the “Indian Rhythms and Accompaniment” workshop at the school on Jan. 22. PHOTOS BY SCOTT FRIEDMAN EDISON — The classical percussion instrument of North India, the tabla, is a popular hand-drum that requires years of intense study and practice to master.

But the instrument is generally viewed as a male-dominated one, as there are few professional female tabla players in the world.

InMarch, New Jersey’s institute of classical tabla, the Taalim School of Indian Music, will hold a special concert celebrating women percussionists. The event will coincide with National Women’s History Month, and will be one-of-a-kind in that it will feature only female tabla players.

The concert will highlight a special performance by Taalika, an all-female tabla ensemble. Taalika consists of Sejal Kukadia of New York, Jin Won of South Korea, and Heena Patel of Toronto. The three will come together to present a classical tabla trio composed specially for them by Indian maestro Pandit Divyang Vakil. He is the composer of the internationally renowned troupe, Talavya, a four-member percussion ensemble known for its tremendous speed and technical precision. Vakil is known for adding a contemporary feel to classical music.

“The work of Pandit Vakil and the Taalim School allows the beauty of tabla to be accessible and enjoyable to countless in our community,” said Kris Srinivasan, a longtime Taalim School parent. “We’re grateful that our children have exposure to this authentic and timeless art.”

Pandit Divyang Vakil plans be in attendance at the March concert and looks forward to hearing the local talent. Taalim School prides itself on the increasing number of female students enrolling in tabla classes.

“We’ve never had this many female students, and so we would like to celebrate that,” said Jin Won, a Taalim School teacher and member of Taalika. “The significance of this upcoming concert is to demonstrate that the tabla is no longer a men’s-only club.”

The “Celebrating Women of Tabla” concert is free and open to the public, and will take place on March 18 at the Taalim School of Indian Music in Edison. For more information, visit taalim.com.