Elementary Vocal–Instrumental Music Examination

Total Marks: 50

• Practical: 40
• Theory (Oral): 10
• Minimum Passing Marks: 18

General Instructions

The student is expected to:

• Be familiar with swara (notes) and tala (rhythm).
• Apply this knowledge in practical music performance.
• Demonstrate theoretical understanding orally during the practical examination.

Theory (Oral)

Students should know the following aspects of the prescribed ragas:

• Thaat (parent scale)
• Swaras
• Time of performance
• Vadi and Samvadi
• Aroh–Avaroh (ascending and descending scale)

Talas to Study

• Keharwa
• Dadra
• Trital (Teentaal)

Students should also practice:

• Reciting bols with hand claps.
• Performing an 8-matra (beat) version in Madhya Laya (medium tempo), similar to the 16-matra Trital structure.

Practical Section

A) Swara Knowledge

Students should be able to:

• Sing/play pure notes correctly.
• Identify notes individually and in simple note combinations.
• Practice the following basic Alankars (patterns):

Alankars

1. Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa'
2. Sa Re Ga, Re Ga Ma, Ga Ma Pa ........ Sa' Ni Dha, Ni Dha Pa, Dha Pa Ma
3. Sa Re Ga Ma, Re Ga Ma Pa, Ga Ma Pa Dha,  ......... Sa' Ni Dha Pa, Ni Dha Pa Ma
4. Sa Re Sa Re Ga, Re Ga Re Ma ... Sa' Ni Sa' Ni Dha, Ni Dha Ni Dha Pa
5. Sa Ga, Re Ma, Ga Pa, Ma Dha ... Sa' Dha, Ni Pa, Dha Ma
6. Sa, Sa Re Sa, Sa Re Ga Re Sa ... Sa' Sa' Ni Sa', Sa' Ni Dha Ni Sa'

B) Raga Knowledge

Students should sing/play one composition (Bandish or Gat) in each prescribed raga with proper swara and tala.

Prescribed Ragas

• Durga
• Kafi
• Khamaj
• Bhimpalasi
• Bageshri
• Bhupali
• Des

Students must be able to:

• Sing/play the Aroh–Avaroh
• Perform the Pakad (signature phrase)
• Identify ragas from simple swara patterns

Marking Scheme

Time Duration

• Each student will be given 10 minutes for the examination.
• Every student must be examined individually.
• Questions should cover different ragas from different sections to ensure the entire syllabus is tested.

Harmonium Usage

• Harmonium may be used only for the base notes:
  • Shadja–Pancham (Sa–Pa)
  • Madhyam support
• Accompaniment is allowed while singing the first raga.

Distribution of Marks

Total: 50 Marks