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Carnatic Vocal · CV-401 · Level 4 Ma (Intermediate)

Jathiswaram & Adi Tala Varnams

The varnam is the spine of Carnatic training. Slow, demanding, and the single best measure of a student’s control. Expect this level to take time — it should.

20 weeks1:1Ages 10+ 12 topics0 library items

By the end of this course

Perform one Adi tala varnam in two speeds
Sing jathiswaram with rhythmic precision
Handle gamakas idiomatically in 4 ragas
Sustain a 20-minute practice discipline

Syllabus

Topics are covered in order. Pace is set by the student, not the calendar.

01
Jathiswaram in Bilahari
02
Jathiswaram in Kalyani
03
What a varnam is, and why it is built this way
04
Ninnukori — pallavi and anupallavi (Mohanam)
05
Ninnukori — muktayi swaram
06
Ninnukori — charanam and chittaswaras
07
Second speed throughout
08
Sami Ninne Kori (Sri Ranjani) — introduction
09
Gamaka types: kampita, nokku, jaru, sphuritam
10
Breath planning across long phrases
11
Practice discipline: the 20-minute daily frame
12
Level assessment — Ma certificate