Free Self-Study Audio-Visual Lessons
An educational outreach initiative of Vidya Subramanian Academy
The goal of this ongoing, free project is to encourage music lovers and students to self-learn various aspects of Carnatic music at their own pace.
Subscribe to Vidya's YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/VidyaSubramanian/videos to keep abreast of free educational video / audio uploads!
Fun with Carnatic Music - VSA Vocal Workshop 2022 (highlights)
Fun with Carnatic Music - Build your own swara patterns!
Gems of Shyama Shastri - free swarajati lessons
Sri Shyama Shastri belongs to the Trinity of Carnatic music whose contribution to the art form is unparalleled. In this series, Vidya Subramanian and her senior students bring to you the masterpiece swarajatis of this phenomenal composer in an easy-to-follow audio-visual lesson format. While these complex compositions are best learned through live lessons, the goal of this project is to facilitate practice of these songs by students at their own pace.
Todi Swarajati - rAvE himgiri kumAri - Todi – Adi
Bhairavi Swarajati - Kamakshi - Bhairavi - Misra chapu
Yadukulakambhoju Swarajati - Kamakshi - Yadukulakambhoji - Misra chapu
Learn about concert format and various music appreciation aspects in this special "Naadanubhava" lec-dem that was organized as a curtain raiser to the 2019 Chennai music season.
Lec-dem on Carnatic music - organized by IIT-MAA
Lec-dem on Carnatic Music Theory and Practice - Bridging the gap
Vidya discusses about the importance of developing a strong knowledge of Carnatic theory right from the foundational stage of learning. She also delves into how students of various learning levels can incorporate manodharma (improvisational) aspects as part of their learning / practice routine. The lecture also shares ideas that teachers and parents can include as part of their lesson plan to help students gain knowledge in theoretical aspects and apply the same to performance. Rasikas can also utilize the lecture to deepen their appreciation of those aspects of Carnatic theory that are generally applied in the concert performance scene.
Raga identification is an exciting activity for many a Carnatic student and rasika! How are some listeners and music students are able to identify ragas instantly while many others struggle? This segment attempts to demystify the raga identification process through exercises, practical examples, tips and techniques. Audio samples have been used to enhance audience experience and understanding.
Lec-dem on Raga identification techniques and methods
Learn Saint Thyagaraja's Pancharatna kritis - free lesson set available on YouTube
The famous Pancharatna kritis are among the masterpiece compositions of Saint Thyagaraja. For the benefit of students and music lovers, Vidya has made the complete Pancharatna kritis lesson set freely available in an easy-to-learn audio visual YouTube format. While these complex compositions are best learned through live lessons, the goal of this project is to facilitate practice of these songs by students at their own pace. All five kritis are now available on Vidya's YouTube channel in lesson format:
Kriti 1 - Jagadaananda Karaka – Nattai – Adi
Kriti 2 - Dudugugala nanne – Gowlai – Adi
Kriti 3 - Sadinchene – Arabhi – Adi
Kriti 4 - Kanakana Ruchira – Varali – Adi
Kriti 5 - Endaro Mahaanubhavulu – Sri ragam – Adi
Learn Abirami Anthadhi, a set of devotional Tamil hymns - free lesson set available on YouTube
Vidya Subramanian has embarked on an exciting project of presenting Abirami Bhattar’s Abirami Anthadhi in ragamalika viruttam format. Self learn these beautiful verses in an easy-to-sing raga format in this free, 10 part audio-visual lesson series. These YouTube lessons have been taught by Smt. Chitra Venkataramani of Chennai. This project will likely be of interest to learners of all levels, including those with little singing experience. Click to access each link:
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Vol 1 - Abirami Anthadi Verses 0-10
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Vol 2 - Abirami Anthadi Verses 11-20
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Vol 3 - Abirami Anthadi Verses 21-30
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Vol 4 - Abirami Anthadi Verses 31-40
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Vol 5 - Abirami Anthadi Verses 41-50
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Vol 6 - Abirami Anthadi Verses 51-60
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Vol 7 - Abirami Anthadi Verses 61-70
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Vol 8 - Abirami Anthadi Verses 71-80
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Vol 9 - Abirami Anthadi Verses 81-90
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Vol 10 - Abirami Anthadi Verses 91-101
Audio podcast on Akaaram Singing techniques
Akaaram singing- click to listen to Vidya's educational podcast
More such projects are in the works and will be shared in the coming months! Feel free to share these YouTube links with your friends who may be interested!