Learn Hindustani Classical Music
A free reference for students of Hindustani classical vocal music — raga structures, taal thekas, and the theory vocabulary the ABGMVM examinations ask for. Drawn from the notes Dr. Ketaki Ingle teaches from.
Theory
18 short lessons on the ideas behind the music: swara and saptak, thaat and raga, laya and taal, alaap, taan and ornaments. Each starts with the one-line exam answer.
Read moreRagas
Thaat, jati, vadi–samvadi, aaroha–avaroha and pakad. 16 ragas in full, and where each of the 58 ragas in the ABGMVM syllabus is examined.
Read moreTaals
Complete thekas with matra, bol and clap notation. 13 taals in full, plus all 16 taals across the nine exam levels.
Read moreVocal Forms
Khayal, dhrupad, dhamar, tarana, sargam geet, lakshan geet and bhajan: how each is built and what the examiner listens for. 7 forms.
Read moreGlossary
30 terms of swara, raga and taal theory, defined in both languages — the oral theory vocabulary for Prarambhik and Praveshika.
Read moreReady to practise? Daily riyaz routines and oral exam questions
These pages are teaching notes, not a substitute for a guru. Notation and marking schemes follow the Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya Mandal syllabus.
Learning this with a teacher
These pages will take you a long way on theory. The singing needs a guru — live online classes, one level at a time, with exam preparation built in.