Neeraj Prem's Raga Music School
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Sitar, Vocal, & Tabla
 
 
 Rikhi Ram Sitar
 
Sitar
The sitar is one of the most popular and charming musical instruments of Northern India. It originated from another instrument called Veena, which is mostly used in South Indian classical music. The Indian musical tradition has two branches, Hindustani from North India and Karanatak from the South. The Sitar falls into the Northern Indian category. The Sitar is generally a 6 or 7 string instrument with 11 to 13 sympathetic strings for extra resonance. It is a long, lute like instrument which has enough scope to pull bends up to 5 notes from a single fret. This is what makes the sound of the Sitar very mystical and unique. There are two popular styles of Sitar playing: Pandit Ravi Shankar and Ustad Vilayat Khan. Raga Music School follows the family tradition of Ustad Vilayat Khan and his style (famous for its vocal intricacies).
 
 
Parampara Tablas
 
 
Tabla
The name Tabla, is probably derived from the Arabic word for a drum. Another popular notion that Amir Khursuro invented the Tabla by splitting the Pakhawaj into two drums. Over the last two centuries, the Tabla began to take the forefront of percussion instruments in traditional Indian music. We can trace the family lineage of the Gharanaas from the 18th century onward. During this time, the instrument became the primary drum for both classical and mainstream Indian music. Tabla is an accompanying instrument, but now it has become very popular for solo recitals.
 
 
Vocal
The subject of classical Indian music is rich, with its historical, cultural, aesthetic, theoretical and performing facets. The primary genres of musical composition in North Indian or Hindustani music are Dhrupad and Khayal. Dhrupad, the older of the two genres, is the ancestor to the more popular Khayal which eclipses it today. The concept of the melody and rhythm, however, serves as the foundation for both Khayal and Dhrupad. Melody is captured in the concept of the Raga and rhythmical foundation in the Taal or beat. Also, the very important part of Indian music is the folk, thumri, dadra, bhajans, etc.
 
Hindustani Bansuri
 
Flute (Bansuri)
Bansuri is among the most ancient musical instruments of India. The Bansuri (Bans for Bamboo + Sur for musical note) is a North Indian side flute made of a single length of bamboo and has six open finger holes. There are no keys to produce sharps and flats, therefore all accidentals and microtones, as well as meend and other ornaments, so important to Indian classical music, are produced by a unique technique using the fingers. The chosen instrument of Lord Krishna, Bansuri is one of the oldest musical instruments of India. It is mentioned in the Vedas and is depicted in ancient Buddhist art.
 
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