Tabla Syllabuses

SANGIT EXAMINATIONS SYLLABUSES

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Pandit Ram Sahai Sangit Vidyalaya

TABLA

ENTRY LEVEL

Grade-Initial At the end of this grade the candidate will be able to: 1. Play three Bols on Dahina and two Bols on Baya and recognize them

when spoken. 2. Play the basic Bol phrases TeTe (TiT) and Tira Kita (Tit Kat) at a

steady pace. 3. Recognise and play the Bols in different combinations and in two basic

pieces e.g. Kayadas 4. Clap a beat to music being played or sung. 5. Name the drums of the Tabla pair and identify the Shyahi, Chanti

(Kinar) and Lao (Maidan).


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TABLA

LEVEL 1 [GRADE I, GRADE II and GRADE III]

GRADE-I At the end of this grade, which includes the Entry Level prescribed syllabuses, the candidate will be able to: Practical 1. Play and recognise five Bols of Dahina plus two Bols with both hands simultaneously. 2. Play two basic Kayadas with two Paltas each. 3. Recite the Theka ofTeental and Kaherva Tal or Dadra Tal with Tali, Khali and finger

counts at a steady pace. 4. Demonstrate through brief verbal communication understanding of the terms Bol, Khula,

Bandh, Kayada, Palta and Tal, and be able to name the main parts of a Tal i.e. Sam, Tali, Khali, Matra

5. Name the main parts of the Tabla Puri (or Pura) i.e. Shyahi, Lao (or Maidan), Chanti (or

Kinar) and the materials they are made from and explain how to protect the Puri from being damaged.

6. Give the life sketch of one tabla player from the following list: Ahmedjan Thirakwa, Inam

Ali, Lateef Ahmed Khan, Afaq Khan, Sharda Sahai, Kishan Maharaj, Gudai Maharaj (aka Shamta Prasad), Zakir, Alla Rakha, Shaukat Hussain, Anindo Chatterjee, Shankar Ghosh, Habibudin Khan, Shafaat Khan.


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TABLA

LEVEL 1 cont’d

GRADE-II At the end of this grade, which includes the Entry Level and grade I prescribed syllabuses, the candidate will be able to: Practical 1. Play TeTe (TiT) and TiraKita (TitKat) Thah and Dugun in Vilambit Laya*. 2. Play three Kayadas with two Paltas and one Tihai each and one Mukhra. 3. Play the Theka of Teental and Kaherva Tal or Dadra Tal at a steady pace. 4. Recite Tintal Theka with Tali and Khali and recite all pieces in prescribed

syllabuses in Teental with Tali and Khali. 5. Clap with finger counts to music in Kaherva Tal or Dadra Tal being played or

sung. 6. Demonstrate understanding of the terms Sam, Tali, Khali, Matra, Tihai, Mukhra,

Thah, Dun (Dugun), Laya, and the use of Gittak to tune tabla. 7. Give the life sketches of two tabla players from the list in the prescribed

syllabuses and one instrumentalist from the following list: Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Vilayet Khan, Ustad Ali Akbar Khan, Nikhil Banerjee, Amjad Ali Khan and Balaram Pathak.

*NOTE: Vilambit Laya is the matra speed at Metronome mark between 40 to 60.


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TABLA

LEVEL 1 cont’d

GRADE-III At the end of this grade, which includes the Entry Level, grades I and II prescribed syllabuses, the candidate will be able to: Practical

1. Play the seven basic Bols (Varna) of Tabla. 2. Play basic Bol phrases in Madhya Laya** in Thah and Dugun.

3. Perform a solo of 5 minutes in Teental made up of a selection of pieces from the repertoire covered by the prescribed syllabuses.

4. Play three Kayadas in Thah and Dugun, with four Paltas and one Tihai each, one Mukhra,

one Mohara one Tukara in Teental. 5. Play Teental Theka and recite it with Tali, Khali and finger counts. 6. Play the Thekas of Kaherva and Dadra and speak them with the appropriate Tali, Khali

both in Thah and Dugun. Theory A written test e.g. multiple choice, true or false, diagram, notation etc., on all topics covered in the practical and theory prescribed syllabuses and including the following:- 1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Bhatkhande symbols for Matra, Sam, Tali,

Khali, Vibhag and Avartan. 2. Name the parts of the Tabla, and through verbal and written communication

demonstrate basic understanding of the terms Varna, Mohara, Tukara, Theka, Vibhag and Avartan.

3. Give a life sketch of a vocalist from the following list: Pandit Jasraj, Ustad Amir Khan,

Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan, Kishori Amonkar, Pandit Omkarnath Thakur, Pandit Vishnu Digambar Paluskar, Ustad Faiyaz Khan, Parveen Sultana, Ustad Nisar Hussain Khan, Ustad Alladiya Khan, Rajan and Sajan Mishra, Ajay Chakraborty, Udai Bhawalkar.

**NOTE: Madhya Laya is the matra speed at Metronome mark between 60 to 90.


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TABLA

LEVEL 2 [GRADE IV and GRADE V]

GRADE-IV At the end of this grade, which includes Level 1 prescribed syllabuses, the candidate will be able to: Practical

1. Recognise and name the basic Bol phrases e.g. TeTe (Tit), TiraKita (TitKat), Kitataka (KitTak) played on the Tabla, and play them Thah, Dugun and Chaugun

1. Perform a solo of 5 minutes in Teental made up of a selection of pieces from the

repertoire covered by the prescribed syllabuses.

2. Play five Kayadas each with four Paltas and Tihai, one Bedam Tihai, one Damdar Tihai, and one Chakradar Tukra in Teental.

3. Play Kisme of Kaherva or Dadra. 4. Play the Theka of Jhaptal and speak it with Talli, Khali and finger counts. 5. Recite Kayadas, Paltas and Tihais in Tintal with Tali and Khali. 6. Sight read phrases written in Bhatkhande Tal Paddhati. Theory

A written test e.g. multiple choice, true or false, diagram, notation etc., on all topics covered in the practical and theory prescribed syllabuses and including the following:

1. Notate phrases in Bhatkhande Tal Paddhati. 2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Kaherwa, Dadra, Jhaptal and

Tintal; the characteristics of one Tabla Baj; and understanding of the terms Chaugun, Chakradar Tukara, Damdar, Bedam and Kisme.

3. Describe the performing styles of musicians in the prescribed syllabuses 4. Give the life sketches and descriptions of the performing styles of one Kathak dancer

from the following list: Birju Maharaj, Lacchu Maharaj, Maya Rao, Kumudini Lakhia, Gopi Krishna, Sitara Devi, Dr. Malabika Mitra, Durga Lal, Rohini Bhate, Dr. Puru Dhadheech.


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TABLA

LEVEL 2 cont’d

GRADE-V At the end of this grade, which includes Level 1 and grade IV prescribed syllabuses, the candidate will be able to: Practical

1. Recognise, speak and play all the basic Bols and Bol phrases on the Tabla and to play them at a steady pace.

2. Perform a solo of 6 minutes in Teental made up of a selection of pieces from the

repertoire covered by the prescribed syllabuses.

3. Play one Kayada with ten Paltas, one Peshkar with two Paltas and Tihai OR one Uthan in Teental.

4. Recite with Tali, Khali and finger counts and play the Thekas of Kaherva, Dadra,

Jhaptal and Teental in Thah, Dugun and Chaugun. 5. Recite the Bols of all pieces in Teental with Tali and Khali and finger counts. 6. Play Jhaptal Theka, basic and its Kisme; and play one Tukra and one Tihai Sam to

Sam in Jhaptal. 7. Sight read pieces written in Bhatkhande Tal Paddhati. 8. Identify if a note is sharp, flat or in tune when it is played or sung against a

drone. Theory A written test e.g. multiple choice, true or false, diagram, notation, definitions, comparison etc. on all topics covered in the practical and theory prescribed syllabuses and including the following: 1. Notate pieces in Bhatkhande Tal Paddhati. 2. Demonstrate a basic understanding of Naghma (Lahara) and Peshkar OR Uthan. 3. Be able to name the six Gharanas of Tabla playing (i.e. Delhi, Ajrara, Punjab, Lucknow,

Farukhabad and Benares), outline their origins and describe the main features of their baj (styles of playing). Name and give an introduction to a living artist from each Gharana.

4. Give the life sketches and describe the performing style of one wind instrumentalist from

the following list: Panalal Ghosh, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Ronu Mazumdar, Rakesh Chaurasia, Rupak Kulkarni.


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TABLA

LEVEL 3 [GRADE VI, GRADE VII and GRADE VIII]

NOTE: Candidates for Level 3 must perform with Lahara machine or live accompaniment.

GRADE-VI At the end of this grade, which includes Levels 1 and 2 prescribed syllabuses, the candidate will be able to: Practical

1. Perform a solo of 8 minutes in Teental with Naghma (Lahara) made up of a selection of pieces from the repertoire covered by the prescribed syllabuses.

2. Play Kisme of Tintal Theka plus one Gat, two Kayadas with ten Paltas each, two

Relas with four Paltas, two Mukhras, two Moharas, two Tukra/Chakradars and one Chakradar Tihai, in Teental.

3. Play two Tukras, two Mukhras, two Moharas and two Kayadas with four Paltas

each in Jhaptal. 4. Play Rupak and Ektal Theka and Kisme, plus one Kayada with four Paltas, one

Mukhra, one Mohara and one Tihai Sam to Sam in each Tal. 5. Play a Naghma on a melodic instrument and demonstrate knowledge of the Aroh,

Avaroh, Pakar, Vadi and Samvadi of the Raag played, and understanding of Naad (Ahat, Anahat), Shruti, Swara (Chal, Achal, Shuddha, Vikrit), Saptak (Mandra, Madhya, Tar).

Theory A written test on all topics covered in the practical and theory prescribed syllabuses including the following:-

1. Give a history of the Tabla and of the six Baj (styles), and for each give an

introduction to a main practitioner from the past. 2. Demonstrate knowledge of Rupak and Ektal, give definitions for all technical

terms, and compare and contrast Laya and Layakari. 3. Notate the Thekas of all Taals, Thah, Dugun and Chaugun and all pieces in

Bhatkhande Paddhati. 4. Explain in detail about Bhatkande Paddhati including its history, symbols for Raag

and Taal, and how it is used to accurately notate rhythm.


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TABLA

LEVEL 3 GRADE-VII At the end of this grade, which includes Levels 1 and 2 and grade VI prescribed syllabuses, the candidate will be able to: Practical 1. Recite and play ‘Dha Tira Kita Taka’ or similar Bol phrase of your choice to a given beat in

different Laya - Thah, Dugun, Tigun and Chaugun.

2. Perform a solo of 10 minutes in Teental with Naghma (Lahara) made up of a selection of pieces from the repertoire covered by the prescribed syllabuses.

3. Play one Peshkar with 6 paltas and Tihai OR Bhumika-Uthan , one Kayada in Ari Layakari

with four Paltas, two Relas with ten Paltas each, Tihai, in Teental. 4. Play and recite with Tali the Tigun of Teental. 5. Play Kaherva and Dadra Thekas and their Kisme in Madhya Laya beautified with short

Tihais, short Mukhras. 5. Play Sooltal and Chartal Thekas and their Kisme, and one Paran in each Taal. 7. Play Naghma (Lahara) in two different Raags belonging to two different Thaats; show the

Aroh, Avaroh, Pakar, Vadi and Samvadi for each of the Raags; and in one of these Raags sing or play a composition e.g. Swarmalika, Khyal, Bhajan;

Theory A written test on all topics covered in the practical and theory prescribed syllabuses including the following:- 1. Knowledge, understanding and definitions of the term Sangeet and its forms of music an

dance, and of the Hindustani and Carnatic traditions of music and dance, and of all technical terms in the prescribed syllabuses.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of Sooltal and Chartal, and compare and contrast Tals with

same number of Matras. 3. Notate in Bhatkhande Paddhati all pieces in the prescribed syllabuses including pieces

and Thekas in Tigun, and in Teental calculate and notate Tihais 4, 6, 8 and 12 matras long.

4. Describe in detail the Tabla and its parts including its construction and the features

required of a good tabla.


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TABLA

LEVEL 3 GRADE-VIII At the end of this grade, which includes Levels 1 and 2 and grades VI and VII prescribed syllabuses, the candidate will be able to: Practical 1. Demonstrate ability to recite with Tali and play a Teental Kayada in Barabar and Ari

Layakari i.e. Derhgun (Arh), Dugun, Tigun and Chaugun.

2. Perform a solo of 12 minutes in Teental with Naghma (Lahara) made up of a selection of pieces from the repertoire covered by the prescribed syllabuses, and with

improvisation. 3. Play four Mukhras, four Moharas, six Kayadas including two Kayadas in Ari Layakari with

ten Paltas each, four Tukaras, four Chakradar Tukaras, two Uthans or one Peshkar with ten Paltas and Tihai, two Relas, one Gat (in Barabar and Ari), and Tihais 4, 6, 8 and 12 matras long in Teental, and ability to sustain playing Tintal Theka matra speed at a metronome mark of 240 for 3 minutes i.e. speed of matra.

4. Recite with Tali and play the Theka of Deepchandi, play its Kisme with short Tihais and

short Mukhras. 5. Perform Pakhawaj Ang in Chartal, Sooltal and Tivara Tal with two Parans/Chakradar

Parans in each. 5. Tune Tabla using Gittak and Gajara. 6. Sight read Tabla pieces. Theory A written test on all topics covered in the practical and theory prescribed syllabuses including the following:- 1. Notate all Thekas in Barabar Layakari (including Ekgun, Dugun, Chaugun) and Ari

Layakari (including Tigun and Derhgun (Arh), and all pieces played in Bhatkhande notation.

2. Demonstrate knowledge of Deepchandi Tal, knowledge, understanding and definitions of

all technical terms, compare and contrast Pakhawaj and Tabla Ang and describe the attributes of good and bad tabla playing.

3. Discus Sangat and Swatantra Vadan, and describe how the Tabla, Harmonium, Sarangi

and Tanpura are used in performance. 4. With the aid of diagrams describe the structure and playing systems of the Harmonium,

Sarangi and Tanpura and how to tune and maintain the tabla.

Documents

Tabla Syllabuses