AIM : CARNATIC MUSIC
COURSE FLOW & CURRICULUM
Year 1 | KUSHAL | Recommended Age 6 years (Completed) |
Year 2 | ||
Year 3 | ||
Year 4 (Extended) |
This preparatory course lays the foundation of Swara Prasthara in stages of musical complexity to understand Sruthi, Sthayi, Sanchari and Kala Pramana based on Gita Vallari - Beej’s copyrighted Foundational Handbook on Carnatic Music.
Applied Theory prepares the student to build conviction on the concepts of Indian Music such as the Sruthi, Sthana & Sthayi Bheda.
In this learning component, the students are also introduced to reading Musical Notations in Carnatic Music and simple articles on Carnatic Music.
Aural Comprehension is the most important component of AIM designed to develop musical acumen in 3 steps of Siksha Paddhati at all levels and are as follows:
- - Shravanam (Listening Mode)
- - Pratyavarnatam (Call : Repeat)
- - Anu Geeti (Sing Along)
In this level, the student relates the Applied Theory concepts to perceive what they hear and relate to the associated musical terms and the objectives are
- - To distinguish the different Swara Intervals
- - To understand the Tri Sthayi and the Base Sruthi (Adhara Shadjam) in different Pitches
- - Identify different Ragas based on Swara Sthana.
This component also enables the student to understand the basic musical structures & constructs of the musical compositions.
In the Practical component, this course covers a total of 72 classical lessons (Abhyasa Gita) from Beej’s GITA VALLARI on the three Sama Sampoorna Ragas (Symmetric Tetrachord Scales). This will lead to a better understanding of Swara Intervals.
Students are further trained on the 6 Melakartha Ragas aligned with the Sama Sampoorna Ragas. The idea is to broadly develop the foundations of the Indian Raga System and distinguish between simple Ragas.
The Repertoire includes Sri Thyagaraja’s Divya Nama & Utsava Sampradaya Krithis, Mudduswamy Dikshita’s Nottuswaram, Thirupugazh, Devaranamas and simple compositions of other important composers in Telugu, Sanskrit & Tamil.
The Total number of compositions to be learnt under the syllabus: 40 - 60 (Based on the combined modes of learning – Classroom, Booster Session, Workshop)
Ideal duration to complete this course is 36 months and takes a maximum of 48 months depending on the number of hours a student diligently practices using our online Student portal with all our learning Modes.
The Certification awarded for successfully completing the level Kalpa is KUSHAL
Three Level Certification Course for Pre- Intermediate learners.
Year 1 | VIJNYA | Recommended Age Group 9 – 12 |
Year 2 | ABHIJNYA | |
Year 3 | DAKSHA |
This is the important transitory course for students after completing KUSHAL to develop higher musical competency by mastering the techniques in Chatustambha Pravartini - Beej’s copyrighted Music workbook to accelerate Sruthi, Laya & Sahitya Prajna (Vocal Exercises based on Musical Timing) and also build a steady repertoire.
In this progressive learning phase, students are required to apply the concepts learnt earlier in KUSHAL to work on more elaborate Swara Prasthara in various Time Signatures and able to sing in several Ragas.
BROAD VIEW OF CURRICULUM FOR CERTIFICATIONS : VIJNYA, ABHIJNYA & DAKSHA
In this level, Applied Theory covers the basics of The Tala System of Carnatic Music and the foundational exercises to develop musical aesthetics in a simple manner.
In this component, Subject Reading is one of the essential learning approaches to read subject specific articles on Indian Music which includes a brief history on Evolution of Carnatic Music, excerpts from the Musical Treatises and History of Indian Music Composers.
Introduction to Melakartha scheme under Non Vivadhi Ragas and brief concepts of Raga Bheda such as Janaka – Janya; Krama- Vakra & Audava – Shadava Ragas based on BEEJ’s RAGA INDEX TABLE, an empirical approach to learn Ragas in-depth.
In Aural Comprehension, Students are trained based on Siksha Paddhati and the objectives are:
- - To train students on Beej’s ACT, Aural Comprehension Techniques to understand the Swara Interval with their respective Gamakas
- - To understand the types of Vocal Renditions, the phonetics and linguistics in musical parlance
- - To understand the various segments of a Musical Composition along with its melodic constructs (Cadences) and preset improvisations (Sangati)
- - To follow simple grooves on Percussion Instruments to understand the role of accompanists (Pakkavadyam)
DWARA, students are taught to Identify the Raga by understanding key phrases and by practicing the Raga specific exercises based on its melodic conformation, in different time signatures. This will enable the students to sing a Swara Prasthara (from simple to elaborate) in different Ragas covered under RIT, Raga Index Table.
In the Practical Component the course covers the 60 classical lessons (Abhyasa Gita) from Beej’s Chatustambha Pravartini through all the grades at this level.
In Dwara, the focus will be on building the repertoire in two stages as follows:
Abyasa Ganam : Musical Compositions for Practice
Compositions include Lakshana Gitas & Swarajathis; Jatiswarams in different Tala & Gati and in several Ragas, Basic & Popular ADI TALA Varnams in Dwi Kala
Sabha Ganam : Musical Compositions for Performance Compositions include Varnam, Krithi of The Trinity, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada & Sanskrit Composers
The Total number of compositions to be learnt under the syllabus : 60 -80 (Based on combined modes of learning : Classroom; Booster Session; Workshop ; Guided and Self Learning)
The Certifications (in the same order) awarded for successfully completing the level Dwara : VIJNYA -> ABHIJNYA -> DAKSHA
A student completing Dwara graduates to next level of learning, ANTARA
This is a Three Level Certification Course for Intermediate students.
Year 1 | PRAVIN | Recommended Age Group 13 – 15 |
Year 2 | PRAGALBH | |
Year 3 | NIPUNA |
This is an intermediary course where students not only render a full-length musical composition but also be able to develop aesthetics & improvisation over the melody through Kalpita Sangita mode.
Applied Theory covers the Complete Melakartha Scheme of Ragas (both Vivadhi & Non Vivadhi ), Ghana Ragas and Raga Bheda in detail such as Varjya, Vakra, Upanga, Bhashanga, Raganga, Vivadhi & Asampoorna Ragas.
The Aural Comprehension exercises will continue with the Siksha Paddathi and the objectives are:
- - Develop Musical Discipline by listening to a full concert through Music Appreciation Series (Live/ Online/ On Stage)
- - Develop Intuitive abilities to understand the Nadai, Sarvalaghu and Theermanams from Mridangam and other percussion instruments
The Practical Component for all levels of Antara will focus on building a steady & substantial repertoire of
- - Important & Rare Varnams in Adi; Ata and Other Talas
- - Classical Krithis of The Trinity
- - Compositions from Pre Trinity period
- - Compositions & Operas of Tamil, Telugu & Sanskrit Composers
- - Different types of compositions such as Swarajati, Javali, Padam & Thillana.
While the Abhyasa Gana at this level pivots on the Dwi Kala & Tri Kala Rendition of different Varnams, the repertoire also focuses on the Vilamba Kala Krithis, Chapu Krithis and Thematic Krithis of all eminent composers. In this level, students are introduced to Different types of Vocal Renditions (Virutham, Niraval and Swara Prasthara).
Along with repertoire building, the student should be able to render any elaborate Swara passage in vocal based on Aural & Notational format to develop strong acumen for both Guided & Unmonitored Self-Learning.
In Antara, the Kalpita Sangita mode includes several Creative Singing Techniques to improvise a Sahitya in different Ragas, Graha & Kala and to form standard Korvais.
Students will master the Real Time Rendition model to perform a Krithi in detail, complete with Raga Alapana, Niraval & Kalpana Swara. In RTR, the student will learn to perform the whole musical composition, complete with improvisations without any pause in Tala due to lapse in Sruthi, Raga or Sahitya parameters.
At this level, a student is expected to understand and identify as many as 180-200 Ragas based on different types of vocal renditions and be able to elaborate a Swara Kuraippu and Korvai for Krithis with different time signatures and Sahitya placement.
The Total number of compositions to be learnt under the syllabus: 100 -120 (Based on combined modes of learning: Classroom; Booster Session; Workshop ; Guided and Self Learning)
In grade NIPUNA , a student should be able to perform a concert for 1.5 hours demonstrating the various musical forms of rendition on different types of compositions.
The Certification awarded for successfully completing the level: ANTARA is NIPUNA
A student completing ANTARA graduates to final level of AIM Program, SHIKARA
Music Aspirants with score of 80% and above in DWARA & ANTARA can take the BEEJ MUSIC DIPLOMA (NON -TEACHING GRADE)
This is a Two Level Certification Course for Advanced students.
Year 1 | Visharad | Recommended Age Group 15 & Above |
Year 2 | Kovidh (Optional) |
This is a Two-part Course at Advanced Level where students first complete the Course AIM by clearing the Certification: VISHARAD
VISHARAD
Applied Theory covers the important topics from Treatises and Works like Sangraha Choodamani, Chaturdandi Prakashika, Sangita Sampradaya Pradarshini etc.
The Aural Comprehension component will now focus on Unsupervised learning on Repertoire Building through Concert Listening listed in Beej Portal for insights into performing real time.
Beej Resources provide access to nearly 200+ archived concerts of eminent and popular artistes to understand and appreciate Carnatic Music.
The Practical Component will now focus on PRABHAVANA : Approach to Creative Music (From Kalpita to Kalpana).
At this level, a student is expected to understand and identify as many as 300 ragas, be able to elaborate a Swara Prasthara, followed by Swara Kuraippu / Korvai for Krithis with different time signatures and Sahitya placement.
The Total number of compositions to be learnt under the syllabus: 120 -140 (Based on combined modes of learning: Classroom; Booster Session; Workshop ; Guided and Self Learning)
In VISHARAD , a student should be able to perform a full-length concert for 2 hours expounding the depth of musical competency acquired through AIM
Click here for the sample concert
The Certification awarded for successfully completing the level SHIKARA : VISHARAD
Music Aspirants with score of 80% and above take the BEEJ GRADUATE DIPLOMA (NON -TEACHING GRADE)
KOVIDH
- - A Gurukula Stint
- - A Model Dissertation on a given topic.
- - Masterclass from Top Artistes worldwide.
- - Ranga Pravesha (Arangetram)
- - Entry Level Concert Opportunity (Minimum 5) at Esteemed Sabhas/ Organizations in India & Abroad.
Music Aspirants with score of 90% and above can take the BEEJ POST GRADUATE DIPLOMA (TEACHING GRADE) for Career in Music and Teaching