SARALI VARISAI
Author
Rose Muralikrishnan
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SARALI VARISAI
LESSON plan I
Voice Culture & Vocal Exercises for
Carnatic Vocal Students
Published and Distributed: Spring Nectar Productions
Copyright © Spring Nectar Productions. All rights reserved. Reproduction in any manner, in
whole or part is prohibited unless by prior written permission.
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Introduction To Carnatic Vocal
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SAPTA SWARAS
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1 - What is SARALI VARISAI?
SARALI VARISAIS are the fundamental exercises which help the
student to understand the basic swaras (notes) of Carnatic Music.
The SARALI VARISAIS allow the students to find the placements of
the basic Carnatic notes and get a feel for the correct melody and
the rhythm. The sequences of SARALI VARISAI follow a very logical
order, mostly to get a good vocal practice in ascending and
descending orders of the progressions of the seven Notes. The
students should first try to vocalize the three main swaras ‘SA’ ‘PA’
and high ‘SA’ which are the constant notes, with perfect alignment
with their Tambura or a Sruthi box. Once they familiarize those
tones (‘SA’ ‘PA’ ‘SA’) the teacher/guru may introduce the Sapta
Swaras (Seven Notes) SA, RI, GA, MA, PA, DHA, NI in Ragas like
Mayamalavagowlai,(15th Mela) or Shankarabharanam (29th Mela)
for the basic vocal exercises. The first lesson taught in one of
these ragas is called SARALI VARISAI. Once the students get a
good command over one of the selected ragas, these SARALI
VARISAI exercises may be repeated in different Melakartha Ragas
from the 72 Melakartha scheme as well.
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2 - What are the SAPTA SWARAS?
SAPTA SWARAS are the seven Notes of any particular Raga. The
notes may be identified as SA, RI, GA, MA, PA, DHA, NI. And the
descriptions of those notes are given below:
1. Shadjam SA
2. Rishabam RI
3. Gandharam GA
4. Madhyamam MA
5. Panchamam PA
6. Dhaivatham DHA
7. Nishadham NI
Carnatic Students must focus on singing SA, RI, GA, MA, PA, DHA,
NI and the high SA on selected raga, then add Tala in their initial
Carnatic training period.
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About TALA
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Learning Carnatic Music
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3 - What is TALA?
TALA means rhythm. TALA helps one to be on the correct track of
beat and tempo while they sing or play any instrument. One must
always use the right hand on the right lap to perform any TALA. The
Sarali varisais are sung in ADI TALA.
4 - What is ADI TALA?
ADI TALA is a fundamental rhythmic cycle which helps one to sing
Sarali varisai with correct rhythm. The following hand gestures are
to be followed to perform Adi Tala.
|| 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 ||
|| Clap || Pinky || Ring || Middle || Clap || Turn || Clap || Turn ||
Students must learn to perform the first Sarali Varisai with Adi
Tala as follows:
|| SA || RI || GA || MA || PA | DHA || NI || SA ||
|| SA || NI || DHA || PA || MA| GA || RI || SA ||
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Before One begins to sing
Before the students begin their first Carnatic music lessons, they
must prepare themselves physically as well as mentally to sing.
They must go through all the applicable Carnatic music
introductions in detail before they start. When one has a basic
understanding of Carnatic music, they be a better vocalist in the
later stage.
Dedication and Listening Skills:
1. Dedication: It is not enough if one just show up to the class
once or twice a week. Practicing everyday and listening to good
Carnatic music is the most vital part of initial Carnatic education.
Even as little as half to an hour a day of practice is needed for
those who wish to be a good vocalist. At least 5 to 7 days a week
for about 3-5 hours a day of practice is a must if one who intend
to be a performer.
2. Listening skills: One must follow the Guru’s instructions in the
class. Its also essential to listen Carnatic music performers in a
live concerts or cds / tapes and other media. Listening to great
recordings of (especially) past greats will help you learn music
faster and easier. Attend live concerts as much as possible.
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Usage of A Sruthi box / Tambura
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Practice sessions
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Tambura or a Sruthi box, is an essential instrument in order
to begin one's Carnatic vocal music education. The Tambura/
sruthi box will provide the basic pitch or note "SA" called Adhara
Shadjam, and PA the fifth note, from SA and the high SA the fourth
note from PA.
The student’s teacher or guru may determine the right pitch for the
student depending on the student’s voice structure which enables
them to sing at least two octaves (from lower Panchamam (PA) to
the higher Panchamam) comfortably over a period of time. There
are manual and/or automatic electronic Tambura or sruthi boxes
available in the market. Students may purchase the automatic
electronic Tambura or sruthi box in the beginning of their music
education, so that they do not have to care much about yet other
learning process of how to tune the instrument which may need a
great deal of tuning skill in the beginning to perfectly tune manual
instruments.
It is eventually very essential that the students learn how to tune
either of those instruments from their teacher after a while of their
music education.
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Every day Practice sessions:
Students must sit cross-legged on a mat or a sheet on the
ground and keep their back in a comfortable but upright position .
They must hold the neck backward but not sticking out too much
in a relaxed manner. Hands must be rested loosely on the thighs
or knees to start their practice sessions.
They should hold each note long enough by holding the breath
and singing from abdomen and to a complete and slow ADI TALA
cycle, and observe if they match with the sruthi box / Tambura.
When the notes are sung they must try to get the notes smooth
and even, without wavering. When all the 14 Sarali exercises are
practiced with using these singing techniques in a given Raga
well enough, the students may try the same in Akaaram,
Ekaaram, Ukaaram and so forth. Then the same must be
practiced in three or four speeds eventually.
Speeds may be practiced as below:
1 note = 1 beat = first speed
2 notes = 1 beat = second speed
4 notes = 1 beat = third speed
8 notes = 1 beat = fourth speed
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