What we call raga “exercises” are its swara vistara, meaning “exposition of the notes”. It is to show the way the melody develops in the raga – including the characteristic movements and accentuation of the raga, called raga chalan.
This swara vistara of raga Darbari Kanada that we present here was kindly put together and given to us by Kirit Dave’. It reflects his research and knowledge on this raga. If you like to see more information on and the main characteristics of Darbari Kanada, kindly check Kirit’s article On Raga Darbari Kanada.
The exercises which follow are meant for vocal practice and can be accompanied by instruments. Their purpose is to demonstrate the characteristic phrases and movements of the raga and thereby to help students to assimilate the identity of the raga. Besides this, and for the same purpose, it’s also recommended for one to learn many compositions in that raga.
The exercises should be practiced by hearing them directly from an instructor or also indirectly through an audio recordings. Below we share an available audio, which covers part of exercises. The written notes are a simplified version of the raga being sung; they are meant for reference and to help in the learning, not to present all the details.
Notation:
For notation of the notes, please see Notes and Notation.
Swara Vistara of Raga Darbari Kanada:
1.
Sa Re ga, Ma Pa dha, ni, Sa”, Sa” dha, ni, Pa, Pa ni Ma Pa ni ga, ga ga Ma Re Sa, Sa, dha’ ni’ Pa’, Ma’ Pa’ dha’, ni’ Re Sa.
2.
Ma Pa dha, ni Pa, Ma Pa dha ni ni Sa”, ni Sa”, ni Sa” Re” dha, ni Pa, Pa Re”, Re” Sa”, Re” Sa”, Re” Sa”, Re” Pa” ga”, ga” ga” Ma” Re” Sa”, Re” ni Sa” Re” dha ni Pa, Pa ni Ma Pa ni ga, ga ga Ma Re Sa.
3.
Audio available for number 3: Link
S, S, n’ S, n’ S R, n’ S, n‘ S R S, n’ S R d’ n’ S, S d’ n’ S, S R S, n’ S d’ n’ R S, n’ S n’ S n’ S R d’, n’ R S,
d’ n’ S, M’ P’ d’ n’ P’, M’ P’ d’ n’ S, n’ S R S, n’ S R g, g g M R S, n’ S R d’ n’ S, S R g M R S, n’ S R d’ n’ P’, M’ P’ d’ n’ R S, S R g M P, M P g M R S, S R g M P, M P g M R S, n’ S n’ S R d’ n’ R S, S R g M P, M P d n P, M P g M R S, M P d n P, M P d n n S”, M P d n n S”, S” d n P, M P g R S R S, d’ n’ R S, n’ S R d’ n’ R S,
S R g M P, M P d d n P, M P d n S”, n S”n S” R” d n P,
M P d d n P, M P d d d d n P, M P d d d d d d n P, M P d n n S”, n S”n S”R”d n P, P n M P n g, g g M R S, n’ S R d’ n’ R S,
M P d n S”, n S” n S”, M P d n S”, n S”n S” n S” R”d n P, P R”, P R”, R” S” R” S” R” S” R” P” g”, g” g” M” R” S”,
M P d d n P, M P d n n S”, n S”n S” n S” n S” R” d n P, P R”, P R”, R” S” R” S” R” S” R” S” R” P” g”, g” g” M” R” S”, R” n S” R” d n P, R” n S” R” d n P, M P n g, g g M R S, n’ S R d’ n’ R S, d’ n’ S, n’ S R g g M R S,
S R g M P d n S”, S” d n P M P n g M R S,
R S d’ n’ R S, R S d’ n’ R S.