Alankar in music and Palte: Spicing up the swaras

What is Alankar? In Hindustani Classical Music, Alankar or Alankara means ornaments or adornments. Alankara is also referred to as Palta at times. Alankar is integral to the core essence of Hindustani classical music. The earliest reference to the term Alankar can be been found in Bharata’s Natyashastra, which was written sometime between 200 BC… More Alankar in music and Palte: Spicing up the swaras

Why practice swaras?

What are swaras? Hindustani classical music has seven basic notes called swaras. These are Shadja, Rishabha, Gandhara, Madhyama, Panchama, Dhaivata and Nishada. We commonly come across them in their shortened forms as Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, and Ni. Sa is the root/base note and the reference point based on which an octave is… More Why practice swaras?