CARNATIC MUSIC - VOCAL
Subject Code - 031
Class IX-X (2025-26)
Introduction
The course in Carnatic Melodic Instruments at Secondary and Senior Secondary level, is
being offered for the students, who develop an aptitude and creative ability in the art of
playing melodic instruments and carry forward their capabilities in music through
education. The syllabus offered in this course envisages the holistic development of the
students by introducing to them, the intangible values and rich cultural heritage of our
country, which have been in coexistence with music and art forms practiced through
ages. The ethos and philosophical concepts that are mirrored in the ancient system of
Indian music, can be appreciated by the students who learn this course. Along with the
intricacies of music, this course induces a historical consciousness among the students
who wish to pursue higher studies in Music. To some extent this course may even be
considered as a stepping stone to vocational studies
Objectives
● To introduce to students, an understanding of certain principles related to the
origin and development of Indian music through ages and to familiarize students
with the rich history and diversity of Carnatic music.
● To not only introduce a vital aspect of Indian culture but also develop skills and
qualities that benefit overall growth and personality development.
● To inculcate curiosity about the formation of grama, moorchana, jaati, and further
development to the raga system and intricate tala system etc.
● Music is very closely associated with many Science and Arts disciplines. One of
the objectives is to make the students focus on the interdisciplinary approaches in
various musical concepts.
● To develop an aptitude for singing and groominf the students to become
professional singers.
● To motivate students to take up music as a career as well as to open avenues for
different careers in related fields.
Learning Outcomes
By learning this course, students;
● Will be able to understand the concepts of Carnatic Music
● Will be able to understand the ragas and talas in Carnatic music
● Will be able to learn raga delineation and other creative aspects of Carnatic music
● Will be able to assimilate musical concepts with other disciplines
● Will be able to develop a scientific approach in all aspects through the systematic
training opportunities offered during teaching – learning process
● Will be able to appreciate music as a career oriented subject
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CARNATIC MUSIC - VOCAL
Subject Code – 031
Class IX (2025-26)
Assessment Design
S.No Component Marks
A Theory 30
B Practical 50
C Internal Assessment 20
Curriculum & Examination Structure
(A) Theory Max. Marks: 30
Time: 2 Hours
S.No. Topics
1. Brief history of Carnatic Music with special reference to Saint Purandara
dasa, Annamacharya, Bhadrachala Ramadasa, Saint Tyagaraja,
Muthusamy Dikshitar, Syama Sastry and Swati Tirunal.
2. Definition of the following terms:
Sangeetam, Nada, raga, laya, Tala, Dhatu, Matu, Shruti, Alankara,
Arohana, Avarohana, Graha (Sama, Atita, Anagata), Swara –
Prakruti & Vikriti Swaras, Poorvanga, Uttaranga, Sthayi,vadi,
Samvadi, Anuvadi & VivadiSwara–Amsa, Nyasa and Jeeva.
3. Brief raga lakshanas of Mohanam, Hamsadhvani,
Malahari, Sankarabharanam, Mayamalavagoula, Bilahari, khamas,
Kharaharapriya, Abhogi & Hindolam.
4. Brief knowledge about the musical forms.Geetam, Swarajati, Swara
Exercises, Alankaras, Varnam,Kirtana .
5. Description of following Talas: Adi – Single, Roopakam, Chapu –
Mishra & Khanda and Sooladi Sapta Talas.
6. Notation of Gitams in Roopaka and Triputa Tala
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(B) Practical Max. Marks 50
S.No. Topics
1. Vocal exercises – Swaravalis, Hecchyu and Taggu Sthayi, three degrees of
speed. Sapta tala Alankara in only one speed. Other two speeds are
deleted.
2. Simple Geetams – Two Pillari Gitams, two Sadharana Geetams or
Sanchari Geetams.
3. Simple Swarajatiy in Khamas and Bilahari raga.
4. Four Adi tala Varnams in two degrees of speed.
5. 5 Keertanas in the ragas prescribed.
6. Swarajnanam test in the prescribed ragas and learntcompositions.
7. Singing of one Devarnama, one Patriotic song.
*Teachers will refer to the distribution of marks while examine the candidate for
practical examination.
(C) Internal Assessment Max. Marks 20
1. Project- File (05 Marks)
Writing in notation the musical compositions of all Ragas prescribed in the
syllabus Identifying the Tala of Musical compositions.
Drawing and labelling the various parts of Tanpura.
Identifying and interviewing neighborhood Artists.
2. Project (05 Marks)
Suggestive Topics* Interrelationship of the following:
Music and Physics (Sound- Frequency, vibration, pitch, intensity, timbre)
Music and Mathematics (Mathematical Calculation of laya.
Music and History (Development of Music during the medieval period.
Music and Geography (Development of Music in varied cultural zones e.g. songs,
instruments in mountainous or hilly areas)
Music and languages- Dialects in folk Music.
*Students may choose any one of the above topic for project in consultation with
the teacher.
3. Periodic Practical Test, restricted to three in an academic year. (10 Marks)
Average of best two tests to be taken for final marks submission. Each test will
examine a candidate for one Raga from the syllabus, one Devotional song / Folk
song and two Talas.
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CARNATIC MUSIC - VOCAL
Subject Code - 031
Class X (2025-26)
Assessment Design
S.No Component Marks
A Theory 30
B Practical 50
C Internal Assessment 20
Curriculum & Examination Structure
(A) Theory Max. Marks: 30
Time: 2 Hours
S.No. Topics
1. Brief knowledge of Raga classification.
2. Brief knowledge of scheme of 72 Melakarta.
3. Knowledge of Ragas Prescribed – Suddha Dhanyasi,Sriranjani, Suddha
Saveri, BhairaviKeeravani, Kambhoji, Ananda Bhairavi.
4. Detailed knowledge of Kriti with explanation of decorative angas, Varnams –
Tana Varnam & PadaVarnam.
5. Rudiments of notation & writings of notations of Varnamasand Geetams.
Deleted the number Varnams and Geetam in to one.
6.
Life and contribution of the following 20th Century Composers:
1. Koteeshwara Iyer
2. Papanasam Sivan
3. G.N Balasubramaniam
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(B) Practical Max. Marks: 50
S.No Topics Marks
.
1. Singing of Alankaras and Swara Exercise in a raga other 8
than Mayamalava Goula in three degrees of speed.
2. Rendering of at least one Varnams learnt in two degrees 10
of speed.
3. Question based on kriti. Rendition of Kriti learnt in Adi, 12
Roopak and Chapu talas. Swarajmanam test based on the
compositions learnt.
4. 8
Short bout of Kalpana Swaras in 1st speed for the
Compositions mentioned in the syllabus.
5. Any one item from Topic IV of theory syllabus. 7
6. Tuning of Tanpura 5
Total 50
* Teachers will refer to the distribution of marks while examine the candidate for
practical examination.
(C) Internal Assessment Max. Marks: 20
