The Fundamental Basics of Santoor from Scratch

The topics in this beginner santoor course will include the history of Santoor, how it evolved in the due course of time, its journey from the musical genres of folk to classical. The duration of this course is a minimum of three months to complete, in which twice a week classes will be held. The enrolled student need not have any knowledge about instrumental music but should be keen to learn the musical instrument in general. Designed for beginners, this course will include all the fundamentals of the Santoor as an instrument and build up to basic exercises including chandams and ragas. Ideal for those seeking Santoor for professional or personal playing, this course is open to musicians and hobbyists alike. Apart from giving theoretical and practical knowledge, the instructor for this course aims to guide the student to find his or her inner calling in respect to different forms of music. The focus in her teaching is mainly on the practice dimension as she herself is a performer.

About the instructor: Dr. Veethika Tikoo is into classical santoor music teaching primarily. But she can also train in semi-classical, folk and pop as well, as far as the student is willing to give good output. Teaching is her passion since she herself is a Ph.D. degree holder and she aspires to provide quality and well-researched, updated information to all her student. She was awarded a fellowship for University Rank Holder in 2008 by the University of Delhi, a fellowship from IGNOU, Delhi for Doctoral works from 2011, scholarship from Sahitya Kala Parishad, Government of Delhi in 2012, she has been granted a scholarship from Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India for Young artist in 2014. She has also been awarded the ‘Sur Shri’ Title by Delhi Based Classical Music Society namely, Society for Action through Music in Habitat Centre, New Delhi in 2015 and the “Yuva Pratibha Award” by Padmabhushan Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt in 2016. She has participated in the inaugural ceremony of Paranayam Dhyam Shiver (Sitar) organized by Art of Living, New Delhi, March 2008, performed as Santoor artist in several parts of South India viz. Hubli (Karnataka), Various states of Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Jammu, Goa, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh including Chhattisgarh and Delhi itself 2008, 2009, and 2010. She has also performed as a Santoor artist in Indira Gandhi Manav Sangrhalaya, Bhopal, 2011, played solo Santoor recital in Meerut and Allahabad cities in 2012, performed in Five days Youth Festival organized by Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Feb 2012, participated as a Santoor artist in the Prasar Bharti Broadcasting Corporation of India (DD), New Delhi, Feb 2012, as a Santoor artist in Lok Sabha Television, Jan 2012. She has given a solo Santoor performance for the cause of Culture in Munirka Residents Welfare Association, New Delhi in 2017 and played Santoor with Padmashree Pandit Bhajan Sopori Ji in International Seminars at Delhi University, AMITY University, Noida Film City, Agra University, and MIIT Meerut etc i.e. 2006 to 2017.