✓ By the end of the course, you will be able to vocalize Ragas and able to improvise them for hours like in concerts. In this course you will learn fluent vocalizing of Indian swaras: Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa, Indian Taal (beats) system, and basic to hard ragas-training including basic introduction of a raga, aalap (slow improvisatio), bandish (composition of that raga) and taans (fast – improvisation).
✓ Please go through the prerequisites.
• This course requires patience. Learning Indian Classical Music is a journey and this course attempts to provide a foundation. Though I have tried to simplify and structure things to the best of my knowledge, some of the lectures may seem a repetitive but it’s needed to gain better understanding.
• This course assumes that you are a beginner with no prior knowledge in Indian Classical Music, but you do have an interest and curiosity to learn this.
• You need to have an Indian drone-instrument (Tanpura) and a Tabla. An iTabla-pro app (for Apple users) is a good option. For Android etc. you can try an App with good ratings.
• If you do have some background in Indian Classical Music then some of the Lectures may seem familiar. In that case you can skip those sections or watch videos at higher speeds.
• The course is intended for people who have an interest in learning Indian Music discipline. No prior knowledge is required to take this course. You just need to have an interest to Sing, without hesitation.
• I expect you to have patience and also to practice regularly for 20 minutes. There are many classical elements which are vocalized and develop through time. I don’t want my students to get agonised by the course. Practice and enjoying own singing is the only way out.
My Story
Early Days
Back in India, Music has been the crucial part of my life, since I was five years old.
My mother is a musician too and she groomed me tediously to make me a good singer. Since my childhood, my mother incorporated me to her teacher, Mr.Kashalkar, who has always been my source of guidance, inspiration, and knowledge in this field.
After being mentored by him and clearing all Prayag (prestigious north-Indian classical level) Exams for 10-12 years approximately, I moved to Delhi for my higher studies in music.
College
Moving to Delhi was my jump start move in music, as I found myself competing among the highly talented students and veteran teachers and maestros. In Delhi, I started my training with my professor’s wife, Dr. Soma Singh, who helped me in developing the nuances, improvisations, and minute variations in the raga system.
During my Graduation, Masters, M.Phil and PhD in Indian music, I have been fortunate to achieve the guidance from many great maestros like Pt. Vidyadhar Vyasa, etc..
I fell in love with the tunes and peculiarities of different ragas and perceived them as my mental healer.
PHD Experience
Doctorate in music was the time, when I actually perceived music as a source of spiritual, emotional, physical development of my persona. I enjoyed music without any pressure or exam fear. Research field works, meeting eminent musicians, gaining knowledge regarding my thesis rejuvenated me from within and made me feel on the top of the world.
Waking up at four, doing yoga for the voice warm ups, daily practices starting with OM rendition, followed by swarabhyasa, raga rendition, imbibed an overwhelming confidence and contentment in my personality.
Swar practices, Alankaras and different raga development engages our brain and mind, which unleash the brain knots and enhances the brain-mind-soul functionality. Music imparts optimism and mindfulness in our trait and subsides negativity like ego, sorrow.
Advice
In my experience, Indian vocal music including raga system helps us in tranquilizing our overall attitude, behavior, and thought process, focus etc.. My advice to all the students, even for those who are not interested in music, is that they should surely give it a try and take this course,
in order to rekindle and transcend their lifestyle.
