SaPa Syllabus 2019-2021

Baby Level I
Exercises [in raga Shankarabharanam]
1. Saralai varisai
2. Janti varisai

Compositions
1. Shakti sahita ganapatim (Nottuswaram) – Shankarabharanam – Tisra Adi –
Muthuswami Dikshitar
2. Shyamale meenakshi (Nottuswaram) – Shankarabharanam – Adi – Muthuswami
Dikshitar
3. Vande Meenakshi (Nottuswaram) – Shankarabharanam – Adi – Muthuswami
Dikshitar
4. Rama Janardhana (Nottuswaram) – Shankarabharanam – Tisra Adi – Muthuswami
Dikshitar

Theory
1. Introduction to raga and tala
2. Introduction to raga Shankarabharanam
3. How to read notation
4. Note names
5. Origin of Carnatic music
6. Note about Saralai varisai, Janti varisai, and Nottuswaram
7. Composer, raga, tala, language and deity for each song
8. Instruments of Carnatic music

Extra Credit

Compositions
1. Raghupati raghava
2. Vande Santam (bhajan) – Sri Ganapati Sacchidananda Swamiji
3. Jana Gana Mana (National Anthem) – Rabindranath Tagore
Baby Level II
Exercises [in raga Mayamalavagaula]
1. s,rss, r,grr,
2. s,rssn r,grrs
3. s,rssnn, r,grrss,
4. srs rgr
5. sgr rmg

Compositions (Gitams)
1. Sri gananatha – Malahari – Rupaka – Purandaradasa
2. Kunda gaura – Malahari – Rupaka – Purandaradasa
3. Kereya niranu – Malahari – Tisra Triputa – Purandaradasa
4. Padumanabha – Malahari – Tisra Triputa – Purandaradasa
5. Vara vina – Mohana – Rupaka – Appayya Dikshitar
6. Kamalajaadala – Kalyani – Adi

Theory
1. Introduction to Mayamalavagaula
2. Comparison of scales between Mayalavagaula, Malahari, Shankarabharanam,
Mohanam, Kambhoji and Kalyani
3. Composer, raga, tala, language and deity for each song
4. Note about Gitam. Concept of pillari and sanchari gitams.
5. Note about Lakshana Gitam.
6. Short note on Purandara Dasa and musical trinity
7. Introduction to 12 note system
8. Concept of janaka and janya raga

Extra Credit

Exercises [in raga Mayamalavagaula]

1. s,rss,rss,rss,,, r,grr,grr,grr,,,
2. srgrs rgmgr
3. s,r,g,mgr,grs,,, r,g,m,pmg,mgr,,,
4. Previously learnt exercises in raga Mayamalavagaula

Compositions
1. Mandaradaare (Gitam) – Kambhoji – Adi – Paidala Gurumurti Shastri
2. Hare krishna vasudeva (Lakshana Gitam) – Chakravakam – Tisra Triputa –
Govindacharya
Baby Level III
Exercises [in raga Kalyani]
1. Mandhra-sthayi varisai
2. Tara-sthayi varisai
3. Alankaram
4. Konnakol exercises

Compositions
1. Raravenu (Swarajati) – Bilahari – Adi
2. Sambashiva (Swarajati) – Khamas – Adi – Chinna Krishna Dasa
3. Hamsadhwani (Jatiswaram) – Rupaka
4. Kalyani (Jatiswaram) – Adi

Theory
1. The concept of octaves – mandra-sthayi, madhya-sthayi, and tara-sthayi
2. Note about Swarajati and Jatiswaram. Difference between the two forms
3. Comparison of scales between all ragas learnt so far
4. Full names of the 12 notes
5. Composer, raga, tala, language and deity for each song
6. Introduction to jati and nadai
7. Introduction to sapta tala
8. Parts (angas) of a tala
9. Introduction to Konnakol

Extra Credit

Exercises
Previously learnt exercises in raga Shankarabharanam and Mayamalavagaula

Compositions
Raama naa moralinchara (swarajati) – Harikambhoji – Rupaka
Level Sa
Exercises [in ragas Kharaharapriya and Harikambhoji]
1. s,rss, r,grr,
2. ssss rrrr
3. s,r,g,mgr,grs,,, r,g,m,pmg,mgr,,,
4. srs rgr
5. sgr rmg

Compositions
1. Ninnu kori (varnam) – Mohana – Adi – Ramnad Srinivasa Iyengar [in 1 speed]
2. Jalajaksha (varnam) – Hamsadhwani – Adi – Manumbuchavadi Venkatasubba Iyer
[in 1 speed]
3. Evvari bodhana (varnam) – Abhogi – Adi – Patnam Subramanya Iyer [in 1 speed]
4. Sri gananatham bhajare (kriti) – Isamanohari – Adi – Muthuswami Dikshitar
5. Nada tanumanisham (kriti) – Chittaranjani – Adi – Tyagaraja

Theory
1. Sabha Gana musical forms – varnam, kriti
2. Difference between a raga and a scale
3. Characteristics of a melakarta raga
4. Types of janya ragas
5. Raga Lakshana – Mohana, Abhogi, Vasantha, Harikambhoji
6. Composers – Tyagaraja, Muttuswamy Dikshithar
7. 35 Tala system

Extra Credit
1. Ninne kori (varnam) – Vasanta – Adi – Tacchur Singarachar [in 1 speed]
2. Maha Ganapathe (kriti) – Natanarayani – Adi - Muthuswami Dikshitar
Level Ri
Exercises [in raga Kiravani and Chakravakam]
1. ssss rrrr
2. s,rss,rss,rss,rs
3. s,rssnndd, r,grrssnn,
4. smg rpm
5. srgrs

Compositions
Ninnu kori (varnam) – Mohana – Adi – Ramnad Srinivasa Iyengar [in 2 speeds]
Jalajaksha (varnam) – Hamsadhwani – Adi – Manumbuchavadi Venkatasubba Iyer [in
2 speeds]

1. Sami ninne (varnam) – Shankarabharanam – Adi – Veena Kuppayyar [in 2

speeds]
2. Raghunayaka (kriti) – Hamsadhwani – Adi – Tyagaraja
3. Samayamidhe (kriti) – Budhamanohari – Adi – Harikeshanellur Muttayya
Bhagavatar
4. Raghuvamsha sudha (kriti) – Kathanakutuhalam – Adi – Patnam Subramanya
Iyer
5. Telisi rama (kriti) – Purnachandrika – Adi – Tyagaraja
6. Krishna Nee (Devarnama) – Yamuna Kalyani – Misra Chapu - Vyaasaraya

Theory
1. Raga Lakshana – Kiravani, Chakravakam, Shankarabharanam
2. Improvisation concepts – raga alapana, kalpana svara, and neraval
3. Composers – Mutthaih Bhagavathar, Mysore Vasudevacharya and the Karnataka
Dasas
4. Chapu talas
5. Concept of Pancha nadais

Extra Credit
1. Inta modi (varnam) – Saranga – Adi – Tiruvotriyur Tyagayyar [in 2 speed]
2. Dayavillada Dharma (vachana) – Shyama – Adi - Basavanna

Level Ga
Exercises [in raga Charukeshi and Vachaspati]
1. ssss rrrr
2. s,rssnnddp
3. sgdpmg
4. s,r,grs
5. srgr,s,

Compositions
Ninnu kori (varnam) – Mohana – Adi – Ramnad Srinivasa Iyengar [in 3 speeds] - with
kalpana swaram
1. Vanajakshi (varnam) – Kalyani – Adi – Ramnad Srinivasa Iyengar [in 3 speeds
with tisram]
2. Maha ganapatim (kriti) – Nattai – Eka – Muthuswami Dikshitar
3. Sriman narayana (kriti) – Bowli – Adi – Annamacharya
4. Shiva shiva shiva (kriti) – Karaharapriya – Rupakam – V. Lakshminarayana
5. Nadupai (kriti) – Madhyamavathi – Khanda Chapu – Tyagaraja
6. Payoji Maine (bhajan) – Misra Pahadi – Eka - Mirabai

Theory
1. Raga Lakshana – Kharaharapriya, Vachaspati, Kalyani, Nattai
2. Musical forms – Ragam-tanam-pallavi, tani avartanam, Abhang, Dhrupad, Bhajan,
Tillana
3. Introduction to Hindustani Music
4. Composers – Swathi Tirunal and Annamacharya
5. Concert Format

Extra Credit
1. English Note – Mutthaiah Bhagavathar
2. Tillana – Dvijavanti – Adi – Dr. L. Subramaniam
Level Ma
Technical Exercises [in raga Pantuvarali]
1. ssss rrrr
2. sgdpmg
3. srssn-nsnnd-dnddp
4. ssrssnn
5. s,r,g,mgr,grs,rs

Technical Exercises [in raga Mohana]

1. s,rss,
2. s,rssddpp, r,grrssdd,
3. sgr rpg
4. srgrs
5. srsrgrs

Rhythmic Exercises – konnakol and swara (in a raga of your choice)

1. Introduction to korvais
2. 2 korvais in Adi Tala
3. 2 korvais in Rupaka Tala

Compositions
1. Sarasijanabha (varnam) – Kambhoji – Kanda Jati Atta – Tanjavur Vadivelu [in 3
speeds]
2. Sami ninne (varnam) – Sri – Adi – Karur Devudu Iyer [in 3 speeds]
3. Paridanamichite (kriti) – Bilahari – Kanda Chapu – Patnam Subramanya Iyer
[with kalpana svara]
4. Tillana – Dhanashree – Swati Tirunal
5. Akhilandeshwari (kriti) – Dvijavanti – Adi – Muthuswami Dikshitar
6. Mokshamu Galada (kriti) – Saramati – Adi – Tyagaraja
7. Enna thavam (kriti) – Kapi – Adi – Papanasam Sivan

Theory
1. Raga Lakshana – Pantuvarali, Kambhoji, Sri, Bilahari, Hindolam
2. Brief History of Indian Music
3. Melodic Instruments of Carnatic music – Tambura, Veena, Violin, Flute,
Nadaswaram
4. Rhythmic Instruments of Carnatic music – Mridangam, Tavil, Ghatam, Kanjira,
Morsing
5. Composer – Papanasam Sivan

Extra Credit
1. Sada manadil (kriti) – Abhogi – Adi – Dr. L. Subramaniam
2. Maamavatu (kriti) – Hindolam – Adi – Mysore Vasudevacharya
Level Pa
Technical Exercises [in raga Hemavati]
1. ssss SSSS
2. sgdpmg
3. s,r,grs rgmg,r, gmgmpmg
4. smg rpm
5. s,rssnndd, r,grrssnn,

Technical Exercises [in raga Hamsadhwani]

1. s,rssnnppg
2. spg rnp
3. sgSnpg
4. srssn-nsnnp-pnppg
5. ssrssnnpp

Rhythmic Exercises – konnakol and swara (in a raga of your choice)

1. 2 korvais in Adi Tala
2. 2 korvais in Rupaka Tala
3. 2 korvais in Khanda Chapu
4. 2 korvais in Misra Chapu

Theory
1. Raga Lakshana – Kalyani, Abheri, Ganamurti, Dhenuka, Sahana
2. Melakarta system – Sampoorna and asampoorna mela paddati
3. Derivation of the 72 melakarta system
4. Katapayadi system
5. Concept of 22 srutis
6. Composer – Syama Sastri

Compositions
Raghunayaka (kriti) – Hamsadhwani – Adi – Tyagaraja [with alapana and kalpana
svara]
1. Chalamela (varnam) – Nattakurinji – Adi – Rangaswami Nattuvanar [in 3 speeds]
2. Birana Varalicci (kriti) – Kalyani – Tisra Adi – Syama Sastri [with neraval and
kalpana swaram]
3. Nagumomu ganaleni (kriti) – Abheri – Adi – Tyagaraja
4. Tillana – Devipriya – Adi – Dr. L. Subramaniam
5. Endaro mahanubhavulu (pancharatna kriti) – Sri – Adi – Tyagaraja
6. Ganamurte (kriti) – Ganamurti – Adi – Tyagaraja
7. Venkatachala nilayam (Devarnama) – Sindhu Bhairavi – Adi – Purandaradasa [with
alapana]

Extra Credit
1. Karunimpa (varnam) – Sahana – Adi – Tiruvotriyur Tyagayyar [in 3 speeds]
2. Teliyaleru rama (kriti) – Dhenuka – Adi – Tyagaraja
Level Da
Technical Exercises [in raga Shanmukhapriya]
1. ssss rrrr
2. s,rssn, S,RSSNN,
3. sgdpmg
4. s,r,grs rgmg,r, gmgmpmg
5. sgr rmg

Technical Exercises [in raga Abhogi]

1. s,rssddmmg
2. smg rdm
3. sgSdmg rmRSdm
4. ssrssdd-ddsddmm-mmdmmgg
5. ssrssddmm

Rhythmic Exercises – konnakol and swara (in a raga of your choice)

1. Introduction to pancha nadai konnakol
2. Adi Tala Chatusra nadai – groupings of 3, 5, 7, 9
3. Adi Tala Tisra nadai – groupings of 4, 5, 7, 9
4. Adi Tala Khanda nadai – groupings of 3, 4, 7, 9
5. Adi Tala – Changing from one nadai to another (tisram, chatusram and khanda)

Theory
1. Raga Lakshana – Bhairavi, Ananda Bhairavi, Arabhi, Shanmukhapriya, Kaanada,
Begada, Thodi
2. Brief History of Tamil music
3. 10 types of gamakas
4. Compositional forms – Tiruppugazh, Padam, Javali, Viruttam

Compositions
1. Valaci vacci (varnam) – Navaragamalika – Adi – Kottavasal Venkatarama Iyer [in
3 speeds]
2. Viribhoni (varnam) – Bhairavi – Kanda Jati Atta – Paccimiriam Adiappayya [in 3
speeds] [with alapana]
3. Mahishasura mardhini (kriti) – Dharmavathi – Adi – Dr. L. Subramaniam [with
alapana and kalpana swaram]
4. Marivere (kriti) – Ananda Bhairavi – Misra Chapu – Shyama Sastry [with alapana
and kalpana swaram]
5. Sadinchane (pancharatna kriti) – Arabhi – Tyagaraja [with alapana]
6. Evari Mata (kriti) – Kambhoji – Adi – Tyagaraja [with alapana, neraval and kalpana
swaram]
7. Siddhi Vinayakam (kriti) – Shanmukhapriya – Rupakam – Muthuswami Dikshitar
[with alapana and kalpana swaram]
8. Vallabha Nayakasya (kriti) – Begada – Rupakam - Muthuswami Dikshitar [with
alapana and kalpana swaram]
9. Mamava sada (kriti) – Kaanada – Rupakam – Swati Tirunal [with alapana and
kalpana swaram]
 10. Introduction to Tanam – short Tanam in any raga previously learnt

Extra Credit
1. Tiruppugazh – Shankarabharanam – Sanda Talam (21 beats) - Kadi Modi – St.
Arunagirinathar
2. Tillana – Poorvi – Rupaka – T Vaidyanatha Iyer

Level Ni
Technical Exercises [in raga Shubhapantuvarali]
1. ssss rrrr
2. s,rssnnddp S,RSSNNDDP
3. sgdpmg
4. sgr rmg
5. srssn-nsnnd-dnddp

Technical Exercises [in raga Hindolam]

1. s,gssnnddm
2. smg gdm
3. smSndm
4. ssgssnn-nnsnndd-ddnddmm
5. ssgssnndd

Rhythmic Exercises – konnakol and swara (in a raga of your choice)

1. Khanda Chapu – groupings of 3, 4, 7, 9
2. Misra Chapu – groupings of 3, 4, 5, 9
3. Sankeerna Chapu – groupings of 3, 5, 7, 9
4. Adi Tala – Changing from one nadai to another (tisram, chatusram, khanda, misram
and sankeernam)

Theory
Present the following topics

1. What is a raga and tala?

2. 72 melakarta ragas
3. Types of derived scales. How to derive scales
4. 175 talas (with the concept of nadais and jathi)
5. Improvisation concepts – raga alapana, tanam, kalpana swaram, and neraval
6. Basic Musical forms - Swarajathi, Jathisvaram, Gitam, Lakshana Gitams
7. Performance Musical forms - Varnam, Kriti, Thillana, RTP, javali, padam,
tiruppugazh, viruttam, tani avartanam, bhajan, abhang

Compositions
1. Nera nammiti (varnam) – Kaanada – Kanda Jati Atta – Ramnad Srinivasa Iyengar
[in 3 speeds]
2. Kamakshi (swarajati) – Bhairavi – Misra Chapu – Shyama Shastry [with alapana,
neraval and kalpana swaram]
3. Divakara tanujam (navagraha kriti) – Yadukula Kambhoji – Eka – Muthuswami
 Dikshithar [with alapana]
4. Aragimpave (kriti) – Thodi – Adi – Tyagaraja [with alapana, neraval and kalpana
swaram]
5. Varamulo (kriti) – Kiravani – Adi – Patnam Subramanya Iyer [with alapana and
kalpana svara]
6. Enduku peddala (kriti) – Shankarabharanam – Adi – Tyagaraja [with alapana,
neraval and kalpana swaram]
7. Janani ninnuvina (kriti) – Ritigaula – Misra Chapu – Subbaraya Shastri [with
alapana]
8. Jagadodharana (Devarnama) – Karnataka Kapi – Adi – Purandaradasa
9. Vagaladi (javali) – Behag – Adi – Tirupati Narayanaswamy [with alapana]
10. Ragam Tanam Pallavi – Adi Tala – any raga previously learnt

Extra Credit
1. Sarasuda (varnam) – Saveri – Adi – Kottavasal Venkatarama Iyer [in 2 speeds]
2. Kaa vaa vaa (kriti) – Varali – Adi – Papanasam Sivan [with alapana]
Professional Level I
1. Aiyangarane (varnam) – Kaanada – Adi – Dr. L. Subramaniam [1st half in 3
speeds, 2nd half in 1 speed]
2. Kamalakshi (varnam) – Yadukula Kambhoji – Kanda Jati Atta – Vina
3. Sami nipai (varnam) – Ananda Bhairavi – Kanda Jati Atta – Vina Kuppayyar
4. Kuppayyar [in 2 speeds]
5. Rama rama (padam) – Bhairavi – Kshetrajna
6. Sri subramanyaya (kriti) – Kambhoji – Tisra Eka – Muthuswami Dikshitar
[with kalpana swara and neraval]

Professional Level II
1. All syllabus previous learnt
2. Era napai (varnam) – Todi – Adi – Patnam Subramanya Iyer
3. Inta chala (varnam) – Begada – Adi – Tiruvottriyur Tyagayyar
4. Navarasa (varnam) – Dasharagamalika – Adi – Dr. L. Subramaniam [in 1
speed]
5. Devi brova samayamide (kriti) – Chintamani – Adi – Shyama Shastry
6. Shankari nee (kriti) – Begada – Adi – Subbaraya Shastry [with alapana and
kalpana svara]
7. Endu daginado (kriti) – Todi – Misra Chapu – Tyagaraja [with alapana, neraval
and kalpana svara]
8. Tyagaraja yoga vaibhavam (kriti) – Ananda Bhairavi – Rupakam –
Muthuswami Dikshitar [with alapana]

Navavarna

Removed

1. Sami dayajuda (varnam) – Kedaragaula – Adi – Tiruvotriyur Tyagayyar [in 3 speed]

2. Ento prema (varnam) – Surutti – Adi – Pallavi Gopala Iyer [in 2 speeds]
3. Marubari (javali) – Khamas – Adi – Dharmapuri Subbarayar
4. Amba nilambari (kriti) – Nilambari – Ponniah Pillai