Learn to Play Sitar - Level-up from Basics

After establishing a strong foundation in your musical training, this advanced course will take your skills to the next level with focused and rigorous practice on specific techniques, ragas, and theoretical concepts. The highlights of the course include:

1. Basic Skill Development Practices (Bol, Strokes, or Finger Exercises)

You will continue to refine your basic technical skills, focusing on bol (syllables used for rhythmic patterns), strokes, and finger exercises. These practices will strengthen your control, precision, and agility, laying the groundwork for more complex pieces.

2. Six Variations of Sapat

You will explore six different variations of sapat, a fundamental technique used to practice scales in linear, ascending, and descending order. This helps in achieving fluency and speed in moving across the notes while maintaining clarity of sound.

3. Introduction to Ten Thhatas and Combinations

This part of the course introduces the ten primary thhatas (parent scales) of Indian classical music. You'll learn to identify, perform, and apply these scales, along with experimenting with different combinations that form the basis for various ragas.

4. Complex Paltas with Single and Double Tempo

Moving into more advanced territory, you’ll practice complex paltas (patterns) in both single and double tempo. These exercises help you develop speed, accuracy, and the ability to switch tempos seamlessly while maintaining control.

5. Practice and Application of Alankars

Alankars (ornaments) are essential to bringing emotion and embellishment into your music. You'll learn a variety of alankars, their applications in both slow and fast compositions, and how to use them to enhance your musical expression.

6. Modal Music and Carnatic System of Scale Formations

You will explore modal music, focusing on scale formations in both the Hindustani and Carnatic systems. This section enhances your understanding of how scales are constructed differently across systems and how to adapt to modal variations in your performances.

7. Concept of Layakari (Rhythmic Variations)

Layakari, the art of rhythmic variations, is a crucial element of Indian classical music. You’ll practice reciting patterns in double, triple, and quadruple time, all while keeping the beats steady. You will also measure notes against specific taals (rhythmic cycles) to develop a deeper understanding of rhythm and timing.

8. Jhala - Straight and Reverse with Different Rhythmic Patterns

Jhala is a rapid, rhythmic section typically played toward the end of a performance. You'll study straight and reverse jhala techniques in various rhythmic patterns, which will improve your ability to play with speed and intricacy.

9. Raag Yaman - Detailed Study with Phrases and Movements

A deep dive into Raag Yaman, one of the foundational ragas in Hindustani music. You'll study its key phrases (pakad), note movements, and the emotional essence of the raga. This includes practice in different tempos and exploring how Yaman is treated in various gharanas (schools of music).

10. Raag Kafi - Traditional Bandishes, Chalan, Vilambit, Madhyalaya, and Drut Gats of Different Gharanas

You will explore the nuances of Raag Kafi, learning traditional compositions (bandishes) from different gharanas. This includes the chalan (movement), and renditions in vilambit (slow), madhyalaya (medium), and drut (fast) tempos, helping you to grasp the full range of the raga’s expressions.

11. Mishra Kafi, Zilla Kafi, and Other Variations of Kafi

In addition to the traditional form of Kafi, you’ll study variations like Mishra Kafi and Zilla Kafi, which incorporate notes from other ragas. This will allow you to explore the flexibility and diverse moods of Kafi.

12. Raag Khamaj - Raag Sargam, Phrases and Movements, Alap Jod, Traditional Vilambit, and Drut Gats

Raag Khamaj is another essential raga, known for its romantic and devotional moods. You’ll delve into its sargam (solfege), key phrases, and movements. This includes learning alap (improvised opening), jod (transition), and gats in both slow and fast tempos.

13. Raag Bhoopali - Introduction, Phrases, Comparative Study with Deshkar, Suddh Kalyan, and Jait Kalyan

Raag Bhoopali is compared with other ragas like Deshkar, Suddh Kalyan, and Jait Kalyan. You will learn its key phrases and perform it in different tempos, deepening your understanding of Bhoopali’s simplicity and elegance in comparison to these related ragas.

About the Teacher

Smarajit Sen has been an acclaimed sitarist, music composer, and teacher for the last 23 years. His teaching experience extends to 14 years. A traditional artiste and torchbearer of "Senia - Shahjahanpur" Gharana, Smarajit is a disciple of Padma Bhushan Pt.Buddhadev Dasgupta Ji.

Smarajit holds the prestigious "A-GRADE" status from All India Radio and TV, and Prasar Bharati. He received the National Award "Akhil Bharatiya Sangeet Pratibha Puraskar" in December 2017. He is an empaneled artist with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations and SPICMACAY. 

His commitment to music education was recognized with the "Best Educator Award" by Scl Academy, Mumbai, in November 2020. Academically, he has been awarded a National Scholarship from the Government of India and served as a scholar at the ITC Sangeet Research Academy in Kolkata. 

His contributions to Indian classical music are further highlighted by awards such as the Pt. Gyan Prakash Ghosh Memorial Award and the West Bengal State Govt Music Academy Champion Award in 2007.

Smarajit collaborated with revered figures like Pt. Buddhadev Dasgupta, Haimanti Shukla, Ustad Rashid Khan, and Pt. Subhankar Banerjee in albums like "Transformations" and "Ensemble". He has also performed with legendary artists such as Smt. Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Ghulam Ali, Pandit Birju Maharaj, and Kaushiki Chakraborty.

Currently, Smarajit is teaching as a Guest Faculty in Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata.