Introduction to Hindustani Music

A Melodic Journey into the Ragas and Rhythms of Hindustani Music

Overview

This course aims to introduce students to the fundamentals of playwriting, focusing on character development, dialogue, and dramatic structure. Students will explore creative storytelling through scene writing and theatrical expression. They will analyze plays, write original scripts, and participate in peer feedback sessions. The course emphasizes writing for performance and understanding the collaborative nature of theatre. By the end, students will develop and refine their own short play or dramatic scenes.

Who Should Enroll?

Immerse yourself in the rich tradition of Hindustani music and build a strong foundation in melody, rhythm, and expression.

What You’ll Gain:

Course Objectives

Develop Vocal Techniques

Explore Classical Music Forms

Grasp Essential Music Theory

Enhance Listening Skills

Learning Modules

Course Outline

Week - 1

Meaning of Art, Performing and other arts.

Week - 2

Information about basic swaras, saptak and basic talas. Learning Basic Swaras, different types of Laya and talas One Saraswati Vandana

Week - 3

Origin of Music, different stories related to the origin of music Evolution of music from Folk Music Learning any one folk form of music.

Week - 4

Music appreciation Few basic concepts of Music Learning Patriotic song, Geet, Ghazal, Sargam, Lakshangeet, Chota Khyal

Week - 5

General information about two types of music systems in India Various musical forms included in Carnatic and Hindusthani sangeet One Tillana or Tarana

Week - 6

Bandish, poetry, musical forms and role of language in music Learnin

Week - 7

Information about basic instruments for accompaniment and solo performances Information about Tabla, Tanpura and Harmonium

Week - 8

Notation Systems in Hindusthani sangeet and biographies of musicians Practise of reading, writing and singing the given notation

Week - 9

Essays on following topics :

Society and music
Qualities of a good Musician, Accompanist, and a good listener
Impact of film music and popular music on learning classical music
Music for mental peace
Career opportunities through music

Week - 10

Various types of Alankars and Paltas of Shuddha Swaras Alankars and Paltas in Komal Swaras

Week 11 - 15

Information about Basic Ragas and singing one sargam, lakshangeet, Chotakhyal with basic alap taan in each one of them.

1) Bhoopali

2) Bilawal

3) Bhairav

4) Bhairavi

5) Bageshree

6) Yaman

Any one raga based film/Folk song in the above ragas.

Duration

15 Weeks – 180 minutes 90 (Sync) + 90 (Async)
Course Fees

$900
Certificate

Students will receive certificate of completion.

Dr. Subhadra Desai is a professional Vocalist of Hindustani Classical genre, and an academic engaged in Music Education and Research. She has performed in India and overseas including the US, UK, Germany, Korea and Bangladesh. She is an empanelled artist with Indian Council for Cultural Relations, and an accredited A grade artist at All India Radio. Her repertoire consists of an interesting amalgam of Khayal, Tappa, Bhajan and ancient hymns in Sanskrit from Vedas and Upanishads, and Buddhist texts in Pali from Dhammapada, Sutta Nipata and others.

She has two published books and several research papers on Indian Music and Culture to her credit. Her books: Music in Valmiki’s Ramayana and Indian Women Seers and their Songs: The Unfettered Note are housed in important libraries including the Loeb Library at Harvard University.

She has taught at various Institutions, including Ashoka University, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and Lady Sriram College, New Delhi. Presently she is engaged as a faculty of Hindustani Music at the Aria University, California.