Learn Sarod Online - A Customised Course for Intermediates

The Intermediate level serves as a critical bridge between foundational techniques and expressive raga performance. Students will work on refining both right-hand picking and left-hand ornamentation, focusing on techniques like meend (glides) and gamak (oscillations), which are essential to Sarod’s melodic voice.

Learners will expand their raga vocabulary by studying classical ragas such as Yaman, Bageshree, Bhairav, and Kafi, each selected for its melodic richness and educational value. Students will be introduced to gat compositions in both vilambit (slow tempo) and drut laya (fast tempo), learning how to maintain clarity, timing, and melodic fidelity.

Instrumental autonomy is emphasized through lessons on tuning and maintaining the Sarod, helping students become confident and self-reliant musicians. Rhythmic training is enhanced through bol pattern refinement and regular practice with tabla, laying the groundwork for precise tala understanding.

The course also introduces structured improvisation through basic alap, jor, and jhala, guiding students in building a compelling raga narrative. Daily practice includes tanpura and tabla integration, reinforcing pitch and rhythm discipline.

About the Teacher

Mallar Rakshit is a distinguished Sarod artist and professor at Rabindra Bharati University, known for his dedication to Indian classical music and contributions to music education. A senior disciple of Pandit Buddhadev Dasgupta, he upholds the Senia Shahjahanpur Gharana tradition with both authenticity and innovation.

Trained in the rigorous guru-shishya tradition, his playing blends technical precision with lyrical expression. His performances are celebrated for their melodic clarity, emotive depth, and mastery over both traditional and contemporary compositions.

As an educator, Rakshit has mentored numerous students, combining practical training with academic insight. His teaching bridges classical methods with modern pedagogy, and he has shared his expertise globally through lectures and masterclasses across Europe and North America.

Rakshit has also played a key role in modernizing music curricula, integrating theory, performance, and cross-cultural perspectives. He stands as a unique blend of performer, scholar, and visionary, shaping the future of Sarod and Indian classical music.