Meher Vig
From the moment Meher Vig could hear rhythm, she was hooked. Born into a family of musicians, music was the heartbeat of her household– but it was the sharp, resonant pulse of the table that captured her imagination. As a child she’d sit near her brother during his hymn recitations at the local gurudwara, drumming along on tables and the floor, captivated by the tabla’s ability to merge with the words and provide a beat.
But as passionate as she was, her journey didn’t start easily. When Meher first expressed interest in learning the tabla, a teacher told her she was too small. Her hands, they said, wouldn’t be able to keep up with demands of the instrument's intricate fingerwork. But her parents saw her passion and decided to continue supporting it until she was able to participate in classes. They bought her tiny tabla sets and enrolled her in classes when she had reached the age of three.
Throughout her childhood, Meher performed regularly at her gurdwara’s events, gradually building her confidence in front of audiences. In high school, she balanced her musical life with sports like basketball and soccer. It wasn’t until the past two years, however, that Meher took her artistic talents to the digital and professional world.
Meher launched her Instagram page to post tabla covers of her favorite songs, infusing classical percussion with contemporary sound. Her unique blend of tradition and trend quickly found an audience. Now a student at Purdue University, she continues to grow her brand, expanding it across the Midwest and East Coast, and using her platform not just to perform – but to inspire.
Her musical evolution took another leap when she was introduced to artists like Dholi Simran, one of the first female dhol players Meher had seen. “ Watching Dholi Simran play showed me how inspiring this can be for other girls who have the same passion I do,” Meher reflects. Motivated by this, she began to learn the dhol, an energetic instrument known for igniting wedding and bhangra events.
Her first gig came almost immediately– at a wedding her parents were attending. The planners needed a dhol player, and Meher stepped in. She documented the performance on Instagram, reached out to local DJs, and soon after, booked her first paid gig for Lohri. Backed by community supporters like DJ Rohit Sordhi and the owner of Crown of India, who helped promote her work and land more gigs, Meher’s side hustle transformed into a thriving business.
But for Meher, it’s never about the money.” The more fun you have playing, the more fun people have listening, “ she says. With every beat, she brings the energy and joy that draws people in and builds new connections. Music has not only been her passion but a powerful pillar for self-confidence, connection and community.
Through her rhythm work, Meher earned a spot on Boiler Bhangra, Purdue's bhangra team, The duality of tabla and dhol– one rooted in classical precision and the other in celebratory intensity– keeps her creatively fulfilled and socially connected. “The diversity between tabla and dhol lets me be part of a different world,” she shared. “Tabla is endless– you can never know everything, and that’s what makes it so interesting to learn.”
At the heart of it all is Meher’s family and community. “ I could never be anything without my parents who took me to every class, and the supportive environment of the gurdwara that shaped my passion in a positive way.” she says with gratitude.
To anyone hesitant about sharing their talent, Meher has a message: post it. “ You never know what opportunities one post can bring. So many people hide their talents out of fear. But if you have a passion– share it.”
From a little girl with hands deemed “ too small” to a passionate performer and entrepreneur, Meher Vig is proof that with passion, perseverance and a good beat– you can make your place in the world.
