In Indian classical music, ragas are not just scales—they are living entities with distinct personalities, emotions, and rules. But how do singers and musicians internalize these intricate frameworks? The answer lies in Alankars, the structured note patterns that serve as keys to decoding the mysteries of ragas. At Krishna Music School, we teach students to harness Alankars as a bridge to raga mastery.
In this guide, you’ll learn how Alankars unlock the nuances of ragas, from recognizing their pakad (signature phrases) to expressing their timeless moods. Let’s dive in!
1. The Role of Alankars in Raga Exploration
Alankars are repetitive note sequences (sā-rē-gā-mā…) that train your voice and mind to navigate the architecture of a raga. Think of them as “musical drills” that embed the following elements into your muscle memory:
- Aaroh (Ascending Notes) and Avroh (Descending Notes): The foundation of a raga’s structure.
- Vaadi-Samvaadi (Dominant Notes): The primary and secondary notes that define a raga’s emotion.
- Pakad: The unique phrase that identifies the raga.
Why Alankars Matter:
Just as learning scales unlocks Western music, practicing Alankars in different ragas helps you internalize their rules and subtleties.
2. Step 1: Start with the Thaat (Parent Scale)
Every raga belongs to a thaat, a system of 10 parent scales in Hindustani music. For example:
- Bilawal Thaat: Basis for ragas like Alhaiya Bilawal and Durga.
- Bhairav Thaat: Home to ragas like Bhairav and Kalingada.
Exercise:
- Practice Alankars in the thaat of your target raga.
- For Raga Yaman (from Kalyan Thaat), sing:
Sā-Rē-Gā-Mā-Pā-Dhā-Nī-Ṡā (Aaroh)
Ṡā-Nī-Dhā-Pā-Mā-Gā-Rē-Sā (Avroh)
Pro Tip: Use a tanpura or drone app to stay aligned with the shruti (base pitch).
3. Step 2: Decode the Aaroh-Avroh with Alankars
Each raga has a prescribed ascending and descending order of notes. Alankars help you master these patterns.
Example: Raga Bhairav (Morning Raga)
- Aaroh: Sā-Rē-Gā-Mā-Pā-Dhā-Nī-Ṡā
- Avroh: Ṡā-Nī-Dhā-Pā-Mā-Gā-Rē-Sā
- Alankar Drill:
Sā-Rē-Sā, Rē-Gā-Rē, Gā-Mā-Gā… (Focus on the komal Rē and Dhā).
Outcome: You’ll instinctively avoid forbidden notes (e.g., Madhyam in Raga Yaman).
4. Step 3: Identify the Pakad Through Repetition
The pakad is a raga’s “musical fingerprint”—a short phrase that distinguishes it from others.
How Alankars Help:
- Repetitive Alankars highlight the raga’s unique note combinations.
- Example: In Raga Malkauns, the pakad Gā-Mā-Dhā-Mā-Gā is often woven into Alankars.
Exercise:
- Sing a 5-note Alankar (e.g., Sā-Gā-Mā-Dhā-Nī) in Raga Malkauns.
- Isolate the pakad and repeat it 10 times.
5. Step 4: Embody the Raga’s Mood (Rasa)
Every raga evokes a specific emotion (rasa):
- Bhairav: Devotion, solemnity
- Yaman: Romance, longing
- Malkauns: Mystery, introspection
Alankars as Emotional Training:
- Practice Alankars at the raga’s prescribed time (e.g., Bhairav at dawn, Yaman at night).
- Slow, meditative Alankars deepen your connection to the raga’s mood.
Krishna Music School’s Approach:
We pair Alankar practice with storytelling about the raga’s origin (e.g., how Raga Deepak is linked to fire).
6. Step 5: Progress to Creative Improvisation
Once Alankars are ingrained, you can explore improvisation (alap, taan).
Example:
- After mastering Raga Bhoopali’s Alankars, experiment with sargam (singing note names) or taans (fast runs).
Advanced Exercise:
- Sing a Chhota Khayal (short composition) using Alankar-based phrases.
7. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring Shruti: Singing without a drone leads to pitch inaccuracies.
- Rushing Complexity: Master 5-note Alankars before 7-note patterns.
- Neglecting Avroh: Descending notes are as crucial as ascending ones.
Why Krishna Music School’s Method Works
Our curriculum blends traditional Alankar drills with modern pedagogy:
- Customized Exercises: Tailored to your voice type and goals.
- Raga-Specific Modules: Focus on devotional ragas for Bhajan/Kirtan singers.
- Live Feedback: Correct note transitions in real time.
Your Gateway to Raga Mastery
Alankars are more than exercises—they’re a language to converse with ragas. By methodically practicing them, you’ll:
✔️ Internalize a raga’s rules effortlessly.
✔️ Unlock emotional depth in performances.
✔️ Gain confidence to improvise and compose.
Ready to Explore Ragas?
Join Krishna Music School to learn Alankars systematically and discover the soul of Indian classical music. Whether you dream of singing timeless ragas or leading devotional Kirtans, we’ll guide you note by note.
Visit Krishna Music School to start your raga journey today!