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Basic Level

Module 1

Introduction and Aptitude Test

This chapter gives a basic introduction to the history of Carnatic Music. This also helps the student get an idea about melody and rhythm through a simple aptitude test.

Basics of Carnatic Music

Importance of Pitch, Posture of the singer, fundamental tonic, the 7 and 16 notes are explained in this chapter. We learn about the father of carnatic music Sri Purandara Dasa. Let us also learn about ragas and the important raga Mayamalavagowl

Sound Production

This chapter gives an introduction to simple exercises for voice culture

Ear Training Programme

In this lesson we learn to identify the scales and features of some important ragas like:

  1. Mayamalavagowla
  2. Shankarabharanam
  3. Mohanam
  4. Kalyani
  5. Bilahari
  6. Malahari
  7. Abhogi
  8. Amrtavarshini
  9. Hindolam
  10. Gambheeranattai
  11. Suddhasaveri
Identification of composers
  1. Purandaradasa
  2. Oottukkadu Venkata Kavi
  3. Tyagaraja
  4. Muttusvamy Dikshitar
  5. Shyama Shastri
Identification of musicians
  1. Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer
  2. M S Subbulakshmi
  3. Madurai Mani Iyer
  4. G N Balasubramaniam
  5. M Balamuralikrishna
Basic of rhythm and basic talas

This explains about the basics of laya and rhythm in Carnatic music, demonstrates the four basic and important talas and the different angas of a tala.

Small songs and geetams
  1. Santatam Pahimam, 
  2. Shakti Sahita,
  3. Gurumoorte,
  4. Sarasanetra,
  5. Vande Minakshitvam,
  6. Shambho Gangadhara,
  7. Lambodara,
  8. Kundagowra,
  9. Kereya neeranu,
  10. Padumanabha,
  11. Varaveena

Module 2

Sarali Varishai

This chapter gives an introduction to the first set of basic exercises in Carnatic music called the Sarali Varishai. It also gives the purpose of practising and perfecting the Sarali Varishais, introduction to Adi Talam and explains about the 3 speeds and the purpose of akaara sadhakam.

Madhya sthayi varishai

This chapter demonstrates the exercises to help with the fluency and control in the Madhya Sthayi or middle octave.

Mandra sthayi varishai

Mandra Sthayi Varishais are exercises to help sing notes in lower octaves with akaaram with ease. This chapter also demonstrates an exercise to sing all three octaves in one cycle.

Tara sthayi varishai

These are exercises to help sing notes in upper or higher octaves and here is a demonstation of the higher octave exercises presented in 3rd speed and in akaaram

Identification of Ragas
  1. Kambhodhi
  2. Pantuvarali
  3. Bhairavi
  4. Hamsadhwani
  5. Gowla
  6. Bowli
  7. Khamach
  8. Varali
  9. Neelambari
  10. Vasanta
Identification of Composer
  1. Swati Thirunal
  2. Annamacharya
Identification of Musicians
  1. Ariyakudi Ramanuka Iyengar
  2. Maharajapuram Vishwanatha Iyer
  3. T Brinda
  4. D K Pattammal
  5. M L Vasanthakumari
Identification of Instruments
  1. Violin
  2. Mrdangam
  3. Ghatam
  4. Flute
Introduction to Jatis

In this lesson we learn about the five jatis which make up the 35 talas.

Small Songs in various languages
  1. Paripalaya
  2. Gatamoha
  3. Chintayeham sada
  4. Guruguha sarasija
  5. Peetavarnam bhaje Bhairavam
  6. Pankajamukha
  7. Aanalekara
  8. Kamalasulochani
  9. Sambhashivayane
  10. Harihara vinuta
  11. Mandara dhaare
  12. Giriraja suta

Module 3

Jantai Varishais

This lesson explains the jantai varishais with akaaram. At the end of the lesson, an exercise is presented to complete the series with the help of the sequence given.

Pronounciation Exercise - To help while singing kalpanaswarams

Datu Varishais

This lessons explains the zig-zag patters on swarams with akaaram. At the end of the lesson, an exercise is presented to complete the series with the help of the sequence given.

Alankarams

This lessons introduces and demonstrated the Sapta talas and its alankarams.

Basics in different ragas

In this lesson, we learn to practice the basic exercises in the following ragams

  1. Mohanam
  2. Abhogi
  3. Hamsadhwani
Identification of ragams
  1. Reetigowla
  2. Poorvikalyani
  3. Kuntalavarali
  4. Kannadagowla
  5. Behag
Identification of Composers
  1. Patnam Subramanya Iyer
  2. Mysore Vasudevachar
Identification of Musicians
  1. K V Narayanaswamy
  2. M D Ramanathan
  3. T N Rajaratnam
  4. Flute Mahalingam
  5. Palghat Mani Iyer
Varnams
  1. Mohanam
  2. Shankarabharanam
  3. Abhogi
  4. Nagaswaravali
  5. Vasanta
  6. Kalyani
Compositions
  1. Kuvalayadalanayana
  2. Rama eva deivatam
  3. Rama Rama
  4. Bhagyadalakshmi
  5. Tanda na na
  6. Avadaru Raghupaty
  7. Shambho Gangadhara
  8. Sudhamayee
  9. Tiru anga malai
  10. Pallandu Pallandu
Rhythmic Exercises

This lesson explains te basic rhythm control, kalapramanam or tempo, a demonstration of 5 nadais and the same with an interval of 1/4, 1/2 and 3/4. Also demonstrates misra chapu in 3 speeds