Sarali Varisai (Lesson 1) | Mayamalava Gowlai Ragam

Sarali Varisai is used to learn the Swarams in the Octave, usually in Mayamalava GowlaiRagam. It is learnt in simple straight ascending and descending fashion. It is also learnedin multiple Kalams (or speeds).

Exercises in Sarali Varisai help students learn the basic swaras of Carnatic music. It helpsstudents to get correct melody and rhythm. Students should try to vocalize the three mainswaras SA PA and (high) SA, which are consonant notes, with perfect alignment with theirshruthi box.

What are Saptha Swaras?

Saptha Swaras are the seven (musical) notes that are the building blocks in Carnaticmusic. Notes are described as given below:

1 Shadjam SA

2 Rishabham RI

3 Gandharam GA

4 Madhyamam MA

5 Panchamam PA

6 Daivatham DA

7 Nishadam NI

Talam: refers to rhythm cycle or beat for a particular song. Or simply, rhythm. One mustalways use the right hand on the right lap to keep track of Talam.

Note: Sarali Varisai is sung in Adi Talam.

Adi Talam is a fundamental beat cycle which helps one sing Sarali Varisai with correctrhythm. The Talam goes like this:

|| 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 ||

|| Clap || Pinky || Ring || Middle || Clap || Turn || Clap || Turn ||

Students should practice Sarali Varisai with Adi Talam as follows:

|| SA || RI || GA || MA || PA || DA || NI || SA ||

|| SA || NI || DA || PA || MA || GA || RI || SA ||

Shruti box will provide basic pitch "SA" called Andhara Shadjam and "PA" (5th note from"SA") and high-SA (4th note from "PA").

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