Abhyasa - Foundation Exercises
These are the traditional first exercises of Carnatic music, sung in raga Mayamalavagowla with Sa placed on C. Press play, listen once, then sing along - one swara per beat, keeping tala with claps on your lap. Practice each until it flows without thinking.
Sarali Varisai
“Straight runs” - plain ascending and descending patterns, one swara per beat. There are fourteen in the traditional set; here are the first four. Practice each in first speed until steady, then double it - exactly as tradition prescribes.
Sarali Varisai #1
Adi tala · MayamalavagowlaThe first exercise every student learns: straight up the scale, straight back down. One swara per beat.
Sarali Varisai #2
Adi tala · MayamalavagowlaThe opening pair repeats before the run completes - building precision at the start of the line.
Sarali Varisai #3Faculty review pending
Adi tala · MayamalavagowlaThe line dips back to Sa before completing the run - control at the turn-around.
Sarali Varisai #4Faculty review pending
Adi tala · MayamalavagowlaThe first four swaras repeat as a block - steadiness before the full climb.
Janta Varisai
“Twin” exercises - every swara sung twice with a gentle stress on the repeat. Janta builds the vocal strength that gamakas (ornaments) grow from.
Janta Varisai #1
Adi tala · MayamalavagowlaJanta = twins. Every swara is sung twice, with a slight stress on the second - the seed of gamaka.
Janta Varisai #2Faculty review pending
Adi tala · MayamalavagowlaThe twin pairs repeat at the start of the line, just as sarali #2 repeats its opening.
Alankarams
The seven alankarams are melodic patterns set to the sapta talas - melody and rhythm trained together. Here is the Eka-tala alankaram to start with; learn to clap all seven cycles on the Talas page, and practice the remaining alankarams with your teacher keeping tala.
Alankaram in Eka Tala
Eka tala · MayamalavagowlaEach four-beat group starts one swara higher than the last - melody and tala locked together.