Indian Devotional and Raga Singing III

Catalog description

This course is a continuation Indian Devotional and Raga Singing II. We sing deeper into raga, exploring Indian classical song forms including improvisation within rhythmic cycles (tala). Indian devotional songs are taught with increasing melodic and rhythmic complexity. More advanced classical vocal exercises are taught to aid in stabilizing the voice and to begin to develop micro-tonal ornamentation. Students continue to develop tone, rhythm, flexibility, and range of expression in their voices and abilities as a kirtan leader. Though this class focuses on kirtan in devotion to Hindu deities, Nirguni ('Formless') Bhajans and Sufi Qawwali will be sung as well. Singing with the Whole Self (releasing tension, accessing freedom and support in the voice) is reinforced. Students practice accurately producing Hindi and Sanskrit sounds and learn more musical vocabulary in these languages. Students also participate in kirtan events at Naropa where students, faculty and professional Indian classical musicians support each other in sharing kirtan, bhajan and raga. We read excerpts from texts on the mysticism of Indian music, Nada Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and poetry by India's Saint-Singers (Kabir, Mirabai, Tulsidas, etc). Daily home practice required.