Everything You Need to Know about Indian Classical Music Classes

5th Apr, 2022

Indian Carnatic music is very interesting and arranged systematically; this music is full of creativity and imagination. If you understand the basics of Carnatic music and have practiced well, you will appreciate and value the melodies and enjoy performances.

The ragas of Carnatic music can put listeners into a very meditative and reflective mindset and can soothe the soul. You can takeonline Carnatic music classes if you want to know more about this form of Indian classical music.

Mayatheetha: Part 2 | Carnatic Music Performance by Kafqa Academy

Elements of Carnatic Music

Before taking Carnatic vocal lessons, you need to know its two important elements, such as Raga (Ragam) and Tala (Thalam). Raga is the mode, and the rhythmic cycles are called Tala. With the help of various combinations of Talas and Ragas, you can sing various beautiful songs.

Some major ragas are Aarabhi, Sankarabharanam, Mohanam, Kamas. Hindolam and many more. The important talas are Aadi, Rupakam, Dhruva, Triputa, matya and jhampa. The ragas are based on swaras, and there are seven basic swaras in Indian classical music.

The swaras are Sa (D0), Ri (Re), Ga(Mi), Pa (So), Da (La) and Ni(Ti). With different combinations of the swaras, you can do different ragas.

First Lessons Taught by Gurus

In the initial few weeks, the guru will focus on the basics, including the Janti Varese, Sarale Varese, Dhatu Varisai, Alankaara and Taarasthaayi Varese. If you are a beginner, the first thing you are taught is Sruti, which plays an important role in this music and is essential in western music.

Sruti is called the soul of Carnatic music, and one of the first forms of Carnatic music is the Saralivarasai. It is also known as an exercise that helps to make people familiar with the swaras and Sruti. You learn this in Carnatic singing classes, and this exercise helps in learning various combinations of swaras.

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Other Initial Lessons

After this, there comes janta varisai, which is considered the next level of Sarali varisai. In this particular exercise, you will be trained on how to sing with Sruti properly and what is an important way of handling the Swara properly.

After this, the guru starts to teach Swaeajthi, a combination of swaras and songs. Gurus help students to learn basic exercises that need to be practiced to get the raga correctly. After this comes the varnams, and it is a unique term that describes the importance of different ragas.

In the first initial lessons, gurus teach students the way to stress and approach specific roles and varnams are usually sung in concerts as it attracts the audience.

Regular Practice Helps to Make Steady Progress

Practicing the initial lessons in Carnatic music is equal to prepping your body for a hard workout. The fundamental lessons are mainly created to prepare the voice for singing. Not only the singers but the lessons are also useful for people who love to play Carnatic flute and violin.

The Carnatic singing lessons can help them understand the swaras and the variations of the swaras. It is recommended that you practice for about 20 to 30 minutes per day to feel more confident and be prepared for incoming lessons.

If you regularly practice the basic lessons, it can help to:

Set your voice range properly
Get a proper grip on the music tempo when practiced at different speeds.
Improve the ability to go through swaras via planetary octaves easily.
Empower to handle different tempos and speeds in each octave while maintaining the laya
To get the ultimate ability to sustain on one Swara for a longer duration and stay around the Swara without getting tired.

You should never skip practicing the Swara to get a grip of Carnatic music. However, it is advised that you need to keep practicing all the lessons under ragas like Kalyani, Kharaharpriya and many more to make yourself familiar with ragas and swaras.

Opinion of Gurus

Gurus at different Carnatic music schools believe in continuing the rich Indian cultural and musical tradition by passing on the art to future generations. Through good teaching methods, it is possible to transform the passion of students in learning Carnatic and Hindustani music.

There are many gurus who have passed down the art of Indian Carnatic music to generations. It is only because of them that we are able to enjoy this popular genre of Indian classical music. Many people rose to fame by following the rules of their gurus.

Contact Kafqa Academy

If you are interested to know more about Indian Carnatic music and wish to take online Carnatic music classes, you can associate with Kafqa academy. We provide various Carnatic music courses along with other Indian classical music courses. Under our trained professionals, you can quickly learn Carnatic music.

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