Madhubanti SARKAR

DESCRIPTION

This masterclass on North Indian classical music will focus on the Hindustani style, particularly its well-defined modal structures called Ragas and the system of rhythmic patterns called Tala. Starting with exercises to train the vocal cords or to practice with musical instruments, students will learn compositions (which are lyrical poems written in Hindi or its dialects) based on Ragas and how to perform them in various rhythmic cycles and with varying tempos.

A major focus of this workshop will be improvisation. Students will learn various improvisation techniques, including the order in which the notes of the raga are presented, the manner in which the raga unfolds and expresses itself, modulations, and the different types of ornamentation in Indian classical music. Familiarization with various genres of classical and semi-classical music will also be part of this workshop.

EDUCATIONAL CONTENT

  • Hindustani music notation and writing system
  • Musical notes (Swars)
  • Alankars: Exercises to train the vocal cords / practice exercises.
  • Raag: The melodic framework.
  • Understanding the classification system of Hindustani Raags: The system of 10 Thaats.
  • The most common Raags.
  • Taal: The rhythmic system (Rhythmic cycle)
    • Study of basic taals: Teental, Jhaptal, Ektal
  • Familiarization with different genres of Hindustani classical music:
    • Kheyal / Dhrupad (Pure classical), Thumri / Dadra / Kajri / Bhajan / Ghazal (Semi-classical)
  • Short compositions on various rhythmic cycles.
  • Different types of ornamentation in Indian classical music (Meend, Andolan, Gamaka, Khatka, Murki, etc.).
  • Aspects of improvisation development: Various improvisation techniques.

PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS

This workshop is open to singers or instrumentalists (including percussionists) who want to explore Indian classical music.

  • Age: From 12 years old
  • Minimum required level: No minimum level required

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BIOGRAPHY

From a family of musicians in Kolkata (India), Madhubanti was introduced to North Indian classical music (Hindustani style) from an early age by her father, Goutam Kumar Sarkar, a Kheyal / Thumri singer and disciple of the great master Pandit Jnan Prakash Ghosh. Holding a Sangeet Visharadh Upadhi degree, Madhubanti trained in Kheyal with Mr. Santanu Bandyopadhyay (a famous master of Vishnupur Gharana) and in semi-classical genres with Mrs. Dalia Rahut, a representative of the Benares Gharana school. Thanks to her rich and diverse musical training, Madhubanti is proficient in classical genres such as Kheyal as well as semi-classical genres like Thumri, Dadra, Chaiti, Kajari, and Bhajan.

Currently based in the Lyon area, she has toured in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Morocco. She regularly gives individual lessons and has conducted workshops on Indian classical music at the Cité de la Musique in Marseille as part of the Mehfil Festival, as well as at the Auditorium of Lyon.

The renowned Kolkata-based music company Bihaan Music released its first album in Kolkata, India, in 2016. Madhubanti performed songs in the following albums:

  • Voyages et rencontres en Inde ([Muret]: International Association Childhood and Discoveries, 2006)
  • La musique indienne: la danse du démon (Gallimard, 2010).