Hindustani Classical Vocal Music - Foundational Course

The highlights of the course include -

1. Practice of Swar and Paltas Based on Raga

Begin your journey with focused practice on swars (notes) and paltas (patterns) within beginner-friendly ragas. These exercises improve vocal control and prepare you for advanced learning.

2. Practice for Finding Proper Notes

Learn to identify and sing the right notes (shuddha and komal swars) through guided exercises. This will help you stay in tune and develop a natural sense of melody.

3. Concept of Laya and Taal

Understand the basics of laya (tempo) and taal (rhythmic cycles) with practical exercises. You will explore common taals like Teentaal and Dadra and practice maintaining rhythm while singing.

4. Application of Paltas and Sargam with Taal and Laya

Combine swar paltas and sargams with taal and laya to create smooth musical patterns. This practice strengthens your ability to balance melody and rhythm effortlessly.

5. Learning Drut Compositions Based on Raga

Learn drut compositions in popular ragas like Yaman and Bhupali. These lessons will help you sing energetically and showcase the beauty of each raga.

6. Learning to Create Sargam, Taan, and Notation

Explore creative exercises to compose your own sargams and taans. You will also learn to write and read notations, making it easier to document and perform your music.

About the Teacher

Arnab Chatterjee was initiated into music at the early age of five by his father Late Sangeetacharya Sree Arun Kr Chatterjee, a learned musician of the Kirana Gharana. He then sought guidance from the legendary Hindustani classical vocalist, Late Pandit A. Kanan, Vidushi Malabika Kanan, and Ustad Mashkoor Ali Khan. 

At the very young age of seven, he shared the platform with Ustad Amjad Ali Khan at Suresh Sangeet Sammelan, Kolkata in the year 1979. At the age of nine, he performed at the ITC S.R.A. Sangeet Sammelan in 1981. He received the National Talent Scholarship and gold medal along with the degree of Sangeet Visharad for securing the first position. 

Arnab is an ‘A’ grade artist at the  All India Radio & Doordarshan, Kolkata. The Sursingar Samsad, Mumbai, bestowed him with the Title of `Surmani`. Also, he is an empanelled artist of Hindustani classical music(vocal) by ICCR, Govt of India. Arnab has been the winner of the All India Music Competition organized by Pandit Omkarnath Thakur Sangeet Mondal, Bharuch, Gujrat in 2002. 

Arnab is associated with Rabindra Bharati University, Bengal Music College Under the University of Kolkata and Vishwa Varati Shantiniketan as an External Examiner of Classical Vocal Music. Bharatiya Sanskriti Samsad, Kolkata, titled him as the Best vocalist for the year 2005. 

Arnab Chatterjee was deputed at Indira Gandhi Cultural Centre, Dhaka, Bangladesh as Hindustani Vocal Music trainer cum performer by ICCR, Govt. of India from Feb 2010 to Feb 2012. He is the torch bearer of the pure tradition of Kirana Gharana and has been passing the legacy of the tradition by teaching several students worldwide. He also experiments by mixing the other forms of Gayaki both in Khyal and Thumri to make his renditions unique and colourful.