Syllabus: Carnatic Vocals and Instrumental Round 1: 2016 Fellowship

Round 1 of the 2016 IndianRaga Fellowship is designed to test proficiency in fundamentals that might seem basic, but are critical for collaborating and creating musical collaborations at the Fellowship week. We would be including one or two BONUS questions as well, that might involve improvisation and some awareness of music from any other genre. Responding to the BONUS questions will not be mandatory.

Topics Recommended Learning Assessment Criteria Basic Syllabus § Sarali Swaras § Shruti § Janta Swaras consistency § Alankaras § Laya/ talam § Datu Swaras proficiency § Upper Sthayi Swaras § Swarasthana § - 10 including 4 Pillari Geetams precision § § Sahitya/ lyrics § Nottuswarams pronunciation § - 6 in recommended popular correctness § Basic knowledge on Sapta Swaras, 12 Swarasthanas Talas, Jatis § Basic knowledge on structure, Melakarthas, Janyas § Basic knowledge on kalpita and manodharma sangeetam

Varnams (Candidates Varnams in ragas: § Shruti should be able to sing in § Begada consistency selected shruti/ key and § § Laya/ talam in 2 speeds/ kalas) § Thodi proficiency § Sree § Swarasthana § precision § Ragamalika § Sahitya/ lyrics § Saranga pronunciation § correctness § § Raga bhava § Mohana expression § Hamsadhwani § § §

Semi classical At least 4 compositions from below recommended list: § Shruti compositions § Purandaradasa compositions consistency § Divyanama keertanams § Laya/ talam § keertanams proficiency § / Abhangs § Swarasthana § Papanasam Sivam compositions precision § Sahitya/ lyrics pronunciation correctness § Raga bhava expression § Presentation style

Kritis At least 10 (in all) by any composer in simple talas such § Shruti as Adi and Rupaka in recommended ragas: consistency § § Laya/ talam § Hamsadhwani proficiency § Suddha Saveri § Swarasthana § Kalyani precision § Sankarabharanam § Sahitya/ lyrics § Panthuvarali pronunciation § correctness § § Raga bhava § Vasantha expression § § Presentation style

Performance of Perform alankaras and jantaswaras in other popular § Knowledge of fundamental lessons in melakartha ragas such as Kalyani and Sankarabharanam basic other melakartha ragas melakarthas

Theory Concepts § Names of the 16 Swarasthanas: Shadjamam, Suddha § Basic Rishabham, Chatushruti Rishabham (same as Suddha theoretical Gandharam), Sadharana Gandharam (Shatshruti knowledge Rishabham), Antara Gandharam, Suddha Madhyamam, (short verbal Prati Madhyamam, Panchamam, Suddha Dhaivatam, answers only) Chatushruti Dhaivatam (same as Suddha Nishadam), Kaisiki Nishadam (same as Shatshruti Dhaivatam), Kakali Nishadam § Moorchhanas (Arohanas, Avarohanas) of all the recommended ragas § Concept of 72 Melakartha raga formation: Using different combinations of the 16 swarasthanas

Composers: § Purandaradasa is called the Pitamaha of § Thyagaraja’s mudra is “Thyagaraja” § Dikshitar’s mudra is “Guruguha” § ’s mudra is “Shyama ” § Thyagaraja, Dikshitar and Shyama Shastri are together called Trinity of Carnatic music