Indian classical music

In Indian classical music, *alankars* (ornamentations) are fundamental exercises used to practice scales, enhance technical proficiency, and improve understanding of ragas. Below is a comprehensive list of commonly practiced alankars: — ### *Basic Alankars* (Saral Alankars)

1. *Sargam Pattern (Ascending & Descending):*

Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa (Ascending) Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa (Descending)

1. *Simple Linear Patterns:*

– *2 Notes at a Time:* Sa Re, Re Ga, Ga Ma… (Ascending & Descending) – *3 Notes at a Time:* Sa Re Ga, Re Ga Ma, Ga Ma Pa…

1. *Skip Patterns:*

– Skip 1 note: Sa Ga, Re Ma, Ga Pa… – Skip 2 notes: Sa Ma, Re Pa, Ga Dha… — ### *Advanced Alankars* (Vilambit, Madhya, and Drut Laya)

1. *Double Note Patterns:*

– Sa Sa Re Re Ga Ga Ma Ma… – Re Re Ga Ga Ma Ma Pa Pa…

1. *Complex Groupings:*

– Sa Re Ga, Re Ga Ma, Ga Ma Pa… (overlapping sets of three) – Sa Re Ga Ma, Re Ga Ma Pa, Ga Ma Pa Dha…

1. *Paired Movement (Aaroh-Avaroh Combination):*

– Sa Re Ga Ma, Ma Pa Dha Ni, Sa Ni Dha Pa… (both ascending and descending).

1. *Alternate Note Groupings:*

–   , Pa Ni Dha Sa… — ### *Gamaka-based Alankars* (Ornamentation)

1. *Meend (Glides):* Smooth transitions between notes.

Example: Sa~Re~Ga~ (connecting the notes fluidly).

1. *Khatka (Quick Flick):*

– Sudden touch of an adjacent note. Example: Sa(Ga)Re Ga.

1. *Murki (Quick Flourish):* Rapid execution of  .

Example: Sa Ga Re Sa. — ### *Tihai-Based Alankars*

1. *Repetition Patterns Ending on Sam:*

– Any alankar repeated three times, resolving on “Sam” (first beat). — ### *Raga-Specific Alankars*

1. *Raga Yaman Example:*

– Sa Re Ga Ma (Teevra Ma) Pa Dha Ni Sa Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma (Teevra Ma) Ga Re Sa.

1. *Raga Bhairav Example:*

– Sa Re (Komal Re) Ga Ma Pa Dha (Komal Dha) Ni Sa. — ### *Tips for Practice*

• Start with a slow tempo (Vilambit Laya) and gradually increase speed (Madhya to Drut Laya).
• Use a *Tanpura* or harmonium for reference to maintain pitch.
• Practice with a *tabla* or metronome to maintain rhythm.