The Rare Varnam module has 2 parts. Part 1,Part 2
Part 1
Introduction:
Varnams are one of the main fundamental learning pieces in Carnatic music. Known for their complex structure, they contain, lyrics as well as swara packages including Pallavi, Anupallavi, Muktayi swaram, Charanam and Chittaswarams. Most varnams encapsulate the true essence of the raga including how each note should be stressed, the raga scale etc. Some of these rare raga varnams were composed by not so famous composers and thus haven’t been extensively passed down over generations. Through this module our aim is to make these exemplary compositions as popular as the other Varnams that are regularly performed/taught.
Prerequisite
Students with prior knowledge of at least 5 Adi talam and 2 Ata tala varnams.
No. of session: 10 (1 hour /session)
Class size: Individual
Content
- Sarasijanabha - Nattai - Palghat Parameshwara Bhagavathar
- Samineepai - Amruthavarshini -Veenai Varadaiyya
- Vanajakshi - Lalitha - Ponnaiah Pillai
- Pankajakshi - Poorvikalyani - Kalyanakrishna
- Vanajaksha - Reethigaulai - Veenai Kuppaiyer - ATA Talam
Session 1
- Begin with brief introduction
- Learn a sketch of Nattai Raga (Arohanam Avarohanam and understanding of other songs if any learnt by the student in same raga) and discuss a brief overview of the composer and the meaning of the composition
- Learn the Melakartha in which the Raga resides and note similarities with the parent Mela (if applicable)
- Learn the Pallavi, Anupallavi and Mukthayi swaram of the Varnam (2 speeds)
Session 2
- Revise the first half of Nattai Varnam
- Learn the Charanam and Chittaswarams (2 speeds)
- Revise the whole varnam (2 speeds)
Session 3
- Revise the Nattai Varnam (2 speeds)
- Learn a sketch of Amruthavarshini Raga (Arohanam Avarohanam and understanding of other songs if any learnt by the student in same raga) and discuss a brief overview of the composer and the meaning of the composition
- Learn the Melakartha in which the Raga resides and note similarities with the parent Mela (if applicable)
- Learn the Pallavi, Anupallavi and Mukthayi swaram of the Varnam (2 speeds)
Session 4
- Revise the first half of Amruthavarshini Varnam
- Learn the Charanam and Chittaswarams (2 speeds)
- Revise the whole varnam (2 speeds)
Session 5
- Revise the Amruthavarshini Varnam (2 speeds)
- Learn a sketch of Lalitha Raga (Arohanam Avarohanam and understanding of other songs if any learnt by the student in same raga) and discuss a brief overview of the composer and the meaning of the composition
- Learn the Melakartha in which the Raga resides and note similarities with the parent Mela (if applicable)
- Learn the Pallavi, Anupallavi and Mukthayi swaram of the Varnam (2 speeds)
Session 6
- Revise the first half of Lalitha Varnam
- Learn the Charanam and Chittaswarams (2 speeds)
- Revise the whole varnam (2 speeds)
Session 7
- Revise the Lalitha Varnam (2 speeds)
- Learn a sketch of Poorvikalyani Raga (Arohanam Avarohanam and understanding of other songs, if any, learnt by the student in same raga) and discuss a brief overview of the composer and the meaning of the composition
- Learn the Melakartha in which the Raga resides and note similarities with the parent Mela (if applicable)
- Learn the Pallavi, Anupallavi and Mukthayi swaram of the Varnam (2 speeds)
Session 8
- Revise the first half of Poorvikalyani Varnam
- Learn the Charanam and Chittaswarams (2 speeds)
- Revise the whole varnam (2 speeds)
Session 9
- Revise the Poorvikalyani Varnam (2 speeds)
- Learn a sketch of Reethigaulai Raga (Arohanam Avarohanam and understanding of other songs, if any, learnt by the student in same raga) and discuss a brief overview of the composer and the meaning of the composition
Session 10
- Revise the first half of Reethigaulai Varnam
- Learn the Charanam and Chittaswarams (2 speeds)
- Revise the whole varnam (2 speeds)
- Wrap up and Q&A
Part 2
Introduction:
Varnams are one of the main fundamental learning pieces in Carnatic music. Known for their complex structure, they contain, lyrics as well as swara packages including Pallavi, Anupallavi, Muktayi swaram, Charanam and Chittaswarams. Most varnams encapsulate the true essence of the raga including how each note should be stressed, the raga scale etc. Some of these rare raga varnams were composed by not so famous composers and thus haven’t been extensively passed down over generations. Through this module our aim is to make these exemplary compositions as popular as the other Varnams that are regularly performed/taught.
Prerequisite
Students with prior knowledge of at least 5 Adi talam and 2 Ata tala varnams.
No. of session: 10 (1 hour /session)
Class size: Individual
Content
- Neevenannu - Ranjani
- Samithevela - Kannada - Pattanam Subramania Iyer
- Samipai - Nagaswarali - Pattanam Subramania Iyer
- Sriraja mathangi - Suddha Dhanyasi - Muthaiah Bhagavathar
- Ekanela - Poornachandrika - ATA Talam
Session 1
- Begin with brief introduction
- Learn a sketch of Ranjani Raga (Arohanam Avarohanam and understanding of other songs if any learnt by the student in same raga) and discuss a brief overview of the composer and the meaning of the composition
- Learn the Melakartha in which the Raga resides and note similarities with the parent Mela (if applicable)
- Learn the Pallavi, Anupallavi and Mukthayi swaram of the Varnam (2 speeds)
Session 2
- Revise the first half of Ranjani Varnam
- Learn the Charanam and Chittaswarams (2 speeds)
- Revise the whole varnam (2 speeds)
Session 3
- Revise the Ranjani Varnam (2 speeds)
- Learn a sketch of Kannada Raga (Arohanam Avarohanam and understanding of other songs if any learnt by the student in same raga) and discuss a brief overview of the composer and the meaning of the composition
- Learn the Melakartha in which the Raga resides and note similarities with the parent Mela (if applicable)
- Learn the Pallavi, Anupallavi and Mukthayi swaram of the Varnam (2 speeds)
Session 4
- Revise the first half of Kannada Varnam
- Learn the Charanam and Chittaswarams (2 speeds)
- Revise the whole varnam (2 speeds)
Session 5
- Revise the Kannada Varnam (2 speeds)
- Learn a sketch of Nagaswarali Raga (Arohanam Avarohanam and understanding of other songs if any learnt by the student in same raga) and discuss a brief overview of the composer and the meaning of the composition
- Learn the Melakartha in which the Raga resides and note similarities with the parent Mela (if applicable)
- Learn the Pallavi, Anupallavi and Mukthayi swaram of the Varnam (2 speeds)
Session 6
- Revise the first half of Nagaswarali Varnam
- Learn the Charanam and Chittaswarams (2 speeds)
- Revise the whole varnam (2 speeds)
Session 7
- Revise the Nagaswarali Varnam (2 speeds)
- Learn a sketch of Suddha Dhanyasi Raga (Arohanam Avarohanam and understanding of other songs, if any, learnt by the student in same raga) and discuss a brief overview of the composer and the meaning of the composition
- Learn the Melakartha in which the Raga resides and note similarities with the parent Mela (if applicable)
- Learn the Pallavi, Anupallavi and Mukthayi swaram of the Varnam (2 speeds)
Session 8
- Revise the first half of Suddha Dhanyasi Varnam
- Learn the Charanam and Chittaswarams (2 speeds)
- Revise the whole varnam (2 speeds)
Session 9
- Revise the Suddha Dhanyasi Varnam (2 speeds)
- Learn a sketch of Poornachandrika Raga (Arohanam Avarohanam and understanding of other songs, if any, learnt by the student in same raga) and discuss a brief overview of the composer and the meaning of the composition
Session 10
- Revise the first half of Poornachandrika Varnam
- Learn the Charanam and Chittaswarams (2 speeds)
- Revise the whole varnam (2 speeds)
- Wrap up and Q&A
