Elevate Your Skills in Carnatic Vocal Lessons

Here is a structured lesson plan for this course. This is subject to change and customization as per the students' skill level and learning goals. 

1. Introduction to Varnams and Krithis

• At the intermediate level, you will focus on learning varnams and krithis.

• These compositions are fundamental to mastering Carnatic music.

• They will help you understand and appreciate the structure and beauty of ragas.

2. Introducing the Raga

• Each varnam begins with an introduction to the raga.

• You will cover the theoretical aspects of the raga, including its history and significance.

• You will learn the raga's unique patterns and movements, known as sancharas.

3. Learning Jatiswarams

• Before diving into varnams, you will learn jatiswarams.

• Jatiswarams are rhythmic compositions that aid in understanding the raga.

• They will help you grasp the melodic and rhythmic aspects of each raga.

• This step ensures a solid foundation for learning varnams and krithis.

About the Teacher

Rama Murali began her initial music lessons at the age of six with Mrs. Raghumani Vijayraghavan, an A-grade artist from Chennai. It was Mrs. Vijayraghavan who sowed the seeds of her musical journey. She progressed to learning Varnam and Kritis but had to take a break due to academic commitments. Later, she resumed her lessons with Mrs. Vijayraghavan.

She participated in various music competitions during her school and college years, winning numerous prizes. Academically, she excelled as a gold medalist in both her graduation and post-graduation from Madras University and also completed her B.Ed from Annamalai University. Due to family circumstances, she could work only for two years before taking a break to care for her children, pausing her teaching career. Eventually, she returned to music.

Rama qualified in junior vocal music and senior Carnatic vocal music under the tutelage of Mrs. Sitalakshmi Subramanium of Palakkad, who had earned her Ganabhushana from Palakkad Music College. During her training, both she and Mrs. Subramanium were based in Bangalore. Mrs. Subramanium motivated her to take exams and build a career in classical music. The foundation laid by her teacher has grown over the past 20 years into a flourishing career.

Currently, she teaches students from India, Brisbane (Australia), Qatar, the US, and Canada, adding to her accomplishments. With 25 years of teaching experience, she trains students aged 6 to 60. She prepares them for various exams conducted by the government and private academies like Bridge Academy in Chennai. She emphasizes the importance of revising completed lessons, as strong basics and foundations are crucial regardless of how advanced one becomes. Her students have participated in many competitions and have won numerous prizes.

She has also participated in the Tyagaraja Aradhana conducted on the banks of the river Cauvery at Tiruvaiyaru, as well as in temples and sabhas. Her musical journey continues to flourish, and she looks forward to training many more students. She particularly emphasizes revisions and a-kara practice to fine-tune her students' vocal cords.