A seasoned tassa player is hoping to change the way the artform is viewed by moving it from the yard and the stage and into the classroom.

On Wednesday, Humming Bird Gold Medal recipient Lenny Kumar officially launched his book, ‘A Beginner’s Guide to Tassa Drums.’

For decades, tassa music has been passed down mainly through oral tradition, with players learning by watching and listening, but Mr. Kumar believes the artform deserves a more structured approach.

At the book launch, he said he is aiming to change the way tassa is perceived by taking it to an academic level.

“Through this book, tassa can be taught in schools. Music teachers can learn the art where they can tutor students. Music students in universities nationally and internationally can learn this music, this art. Someone at home can learn to play tassa. The tassa music and history will remain because it is documented.”

Mr. Kumar assured that the book is beginner-friendly.

“They read the notation from the book, and within two minutes, you all saw that, within two minutes, the band was playing on stage. Real cool.”

Mr. Kumar’s daughter, Lennita Kumar-Mathura, who is also a tassa drummer, said tassa drumming is more than just a performance for her.

“It is a living inheritance brought to Trinidad and Tobago by our forefathers, carried across oceans, preserved through discipline, memory, and community, and passed from generation to generation without written instruction.”

‘A Beginner’s Guide to Tassa Drumming’ was launched at the NALIS Library in Port of Spain on Wednesday.