What you'll learn
- Identify Raga Yaman, and similar ragas, in the songs.
- Grasp the notes of the ragas which come in the Kalyana Family.
- Develop interest in vocalizing the tunes of the Ragas.
- Enjoy the Indian classical concerts with better understanding.
- Vocalize the super fast improvisations of notes and ragas.
- Perceive the Indian Classical music.
- Heal yourself and others using Raga therapy.
Requirements
- 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.
- This course requires patience. Learning about 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.
- Please take the beginner course before pursuing this. It's titled "Learn Indian Voice Music from the scratch to advance". In that course I have explained things like how to set the Taanpura and tabla in a convenient scale.
Description
- The course is about knowing and learning the basic or parent raga called 'Kalyana'. Kalyana is one of the ten parent raga in Indian classical Hindustani music which is explained in detail. This parent raga is the source of many other ragas like Yaman, Bhopali, Kedar, which are pretty much similar and extremely popular in the classical world. Students may find the course as 'Raga-Yaman', or 'Ragas in Kalyan' to get familiar.
- Similar to the previous course, student need to download an app comprising of a tanpura (drone) and tabla (percussion).
- The course might take a month to get completed ideally, sufficient practices and repetitive renditions are expected even after the course for proper grasp and perfect intonation of the ragas.
- The course starts with the detailed description of what is a basic raga, then basic information and knowledge about 'Kalyana Thata' and how the ragas are formed through the raga. One by one, students will learn the popular ragas: Yaman, Hansdhwani, Nand, Kedar, Bhopali, derived from kalyana in detail including Aalap, Bandish, taanas and so on.
- The course is interesting and engaging for the music lovers as the Yaman tunes can be easily identified and familiar in the casual music and Bollywood songs too. All the music lovers and enthusiasts should take this course in order to gain classical knowledge of basic ragas.
Who this course is for:
- This Raga course is more applicable for the students who have taken the beginner course in which Indian music has been indoctrinated from scratch. By pursuing the previous course you will have a better understanding of the fundamentals. It's titled "Learn Indian Voice Music from the scratch to advance"
- This course is based on some of the basic ragas primarily the ragas of kalyana structure. If you are looking for some ragas in particular then you should see the course overview and check whether the raga you want is existing in it and according you take the course.
Instructor
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.