Sādhana, साधना, Journey of learning
Sa. Pa. Sa. The foundation of every musical journey.
The timeless resonance every student begins with. From a first lesson through to improvisation, learning here develops four things at once: śruti, the ear for pitch; laya, the sense of rhythm; bhāva, the expression that gives a phrase meaning; and the confidence to sing in front of other people.
Sangeetha Mārgam
The musical journey.
Carnatic music has a published order, and it has had one for centuries. Here is exactly where a student begins, what comes next, and what each stage sounds like when it is done properly. Open any stage to read more.
Foundation
Sarali Swarasसरळि स्वरthe first exercises
The foundation of everything that follows. The seven swaras, Sa, Ri, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha and Ni, are sung in ascending and descending order in Mayamalavagowla. This raga is chosen for beginners because its intervals train the voice most evenly.
You will be able to
Sing the seven swaras in order, in three speeds, in tune with the tanpura.
Janta Swarasजण्ट स्वरpaired notes
Each swara is doubled: sa-sa, ri-ri and ga-ga. This teaches the voice to strike a note twice with equal weight. This is where breath control and the first stress patterns of Carnatic phrasing are built.
You will be able to
Hold two notes cleanly together and keep your place in the tala.
Alankarasअलंकारpatterns across the seven talas
Fixed melodic patterns are sung across the sapta tala, the seven rhythmic cycles. The same phrase is carried through changing time signatures, which is how a student learns to keep tala independently of melody.
You will be able to
Sing one phrase through seven rhythmic cycles without losing count.
Geetamsगीतम्your first real songs
The first compositions with lyrics are simple and continuous, without the sectional repetition of later forms. A geetam is the moment exercises become music, and most students remember their first one for life.
You will be able to
Sing a complete composition with words, from memory.
Craft
Swarapallavisस्वरपल्लविshort melodic sentences
Brief pallavi-like passages set to swaras, sung as a bridge between the geetam and more structured forms. They introduce the idea of a melodic line that returns and resolves.
You will be able to
Shape a short melodic phrase and bring it back to its resting note.
Swarajatisस्वरजतिsongs with structure
The first compositions are built in distinct sections: pallavi, anupallavi and charanam. A swarajati moves between passages sung in swaras and passages sung in lyrics, which is the architecture every later form uses.
You will be able to
Move between swaras and lyrics inside a single piece.
Varnamsवर्णम्the athlete’s stage
The most demanding technical form in the repertoire, and the one that concentrates the characteristic phrases of a raga into a single composition. A varnam is sung in two speeds and is traditionally how a kutcheri opens.
You will be able to
Sing a varnam in two speeds. This is where a voice becomes a trained voice.
Keertanasकीर्तनdevotional compositions
Melodically direct compositions in which the words carry the weight. They include devotional repertoire by Annamacharya, Bhadrachala Ramadasu and Purandara Dasa. Keertanas train diction, meaning and expression rather than ornament.
You will be able to
Sing with clear diction and let the meaning of the text shape the line.
Artistry
Kritisकृतिthe concert repertoire
The central form of Carnatic music, and the body of work left by the Trinity: Tyagaraja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri. A kriti carries the full weight of a raga alongside sangatis, the successive variations that unfold a single line.
You will be able to
Hold a kriti with its sangatis. This is the music a kutcheri is actually made of.
Manodharma Sangeethamमनोधर्म संगीतम्your own imagination
The improvised half of Carnatic music, and the point of everything before it. Raga alapana explores a raga without rhythm; niraval reshapes a single line of text; kalpana swaram improvises in swaras against the tala.
You will be able to
Improvise within a raga. The music stops being borrowed and becomes yours.
Find your starting point
Choose the path that sounds like you.
The same musical tradition meets different learners in different places. Start with the question you are actually asking.
New to Carnatic music?
Choose a learning format, understand the syllabus and prepare your questions before joining.
Read the getting-started guideCarnatic music classes for beginners
Looking for beginner Carnatic music or sangeetham classes in Hyderabad? RAAGA teaches vocal music from the first swaras, with no earlier musical training expected. Children and adults begin by listening, matching pitch and keeping a steady rhythm.
Explore this pathCarnatic music classes for children
RAAGA welcomes children from five to Carnatic vocal classes in Hyderabad and live online. Lessons begin with short swara exercises, listening and rhythm. A first class helps a parent understand the teaching and whether their child is ready for regular lessons.
Explore this pathCarnatic music classes for adults
You can begin Carnatic singing as an adult without earlier vocal training. RAAGA teaches first-time learners and adults returning after a break, at its Hyderabad centres and live online. The starting point depends on your current singing, not your age.
Explore this pathCarnatic music performance training
RAAGA prepares Carnatic vocal students in Hyderabad to share their music through individual kutcheris, group concerts and other performances. Preparation starts with the compositions a student can sing securely, then works on expression, continuity and readiness for an audience.
Explore this pathCarnatic music academic pathways
RAAGA provides Carnatic vocal training and exam preparation in Hyderabad for students considering Certificate, Diploma, B.A. Music or M.A. Music study. This is teaching and preparation: the relevant examining body or university awards the qualification, not RAAGA.
Explore this path
For help choosing a class or planning practice between lessons, read our Carnatic music learning guides.
Sangeetha Vidwat Pātham
Academic pathways.
For students who want the qualification as well as the music, we prepare and guide candidates through formal music study.
Certificate Course
A structured first qualification for students who want their learning formally recognised alongside regular class work.
Diploma
A longer programme for students who have completed the foundational stages and want to study the repertoire in depth.
Bachelor of Arts (Music)
Preparation and guidance for students pursuing an undergraduate degree in music.
Master of Arts (Music)
Advanced guidance for postgraduate study, for students moving towards teaching, research or performance as a career.
Speak to us about which pathway suits your stage of learning, and which examining bodies we currently prepare students for.
Sangeetha Vedika
The stage.
A student who has performed once practises differently forever. Performance is a strand of the teaching here, not an extra.
Individual Kutcheris
Solo concert opportunities, in the traditional kutcheri format.
Group Concerts
Ensemble performances where students learn to listen and hold a line together.
Thematic Presentations
Programmes built around a composer, a raga or a devotional tradition.
Cultural Festivals
Performances at wider cultural and seasonal music events.
Annual Student Recitals
The yearly occasion for every student to perform what they have prepared.
Studio Recordings
Recorded work, so students build something they can keep and share.
Prārambham · Begin
Come for a trial class.
Begin with a complete trial class at Jubilee Hills, Hitech City, or online. For children and adults, with no previous training needed.