Indian Karnatic Music- Higher Grade Theory Book- IV English, Higher Grade Theory (I and II Papers With Practical Songs and Model Questions Papers)

Smt. S. Vijayalakshmi.comes from a traditional music family, very closely associated with the great musical genius Sri Ariyakudi Ramanuja lyangar. Her father was a very good Veena Player. She passed the higher grade exams in 1st class in both Vocal and Veena at the age of 12.

Her Guru Smt. R. Jayalakshmi was a student and senior disciple of Sri Ariyakudi in Vocal and learnt Veena from Karakudi Sambasivalyar.

Even at an earlier age she used to sing in the Margazhi Bajans in Mylapore participated by prominent musicians of those days like Sri Papanasam Sivan and Aadhi Varadhachar. She has been teaching Vocal & Veena for the past 54 years in the classical pani of Sri Ariyakudi dynasty. She has coached many students for different levels of exams, who have passed with bright colours.

She has been regularly taking part in the singing of "Pancharathna krithies" at many Sabhas and institutions during the "Aradhana festivals every year." She is highly proficient in rendering the krithies of Sarvasri Thyagarajar. Muthuswamy Dikshidhar, Syamasastri, Swadhi Thirunal, Papanasam Sivan and other famous composers. Apart from teaching Vocal and Veena, she not only finds time to tend her family but also enthralls audiences with her occasional stage performances whenever called for.

In June 2006 she was honoured by the "TAMBRAS with the title SANGEETHA BHOOSHANAM" for her dedicated service in the field of Camatic Music. She has been bestowed with a fine Lakshiya Skill besides a good Lakshana Gnana.

She has published Theory books in Tamil and English for both Lower and Higher grade Government examinations. Besides these, now she has brought out two books, one on 'Abyasa Gana and other on 108 Krities of Sri Thyagaraja Swamigal.

Indian Karnatic Music is a great fine art having been hailed for Centuries together in the past and the enormous growth, developement and popularity, it has gained is a great and wonderful phenomenon. Many great Mahans have written lots of priceless works about the Lakshana, Lakshiya of Karnatic Sangit and about the ways in which it has developed to the present high status. Many Vakkeyakaras have composed plenty of varieties of Uruppadies and have dedicated them to us. Let us learn atleast to a small extent and derive the benefits of those treasures.

As desired and blessed by my Guru Smt. R.Jayalakshmi, I have been conducting classes in both Vocal and Veena, on my Guru's pani for the past 38 years. To enable the students appearing for the Indian music Lower and Higher Grade, Government examinations, I have written Theory books in Tamil for the Lower and Higher grades and in English for Lower grade in 2004, '05 and '06 respectively with Practical songs with Notations and Model Question Papers, which are found very useful by the students. Now I have brought out the English edition for the Higher grade examination with Practical songs with Notations and Model Question Papers according to the prescribed Syllabus for the I paper and II paper with detailed contents on different headings. This book has been written with the idea that all can easily in a simple manner.

The Theory and the connected aspects will be very useful not only for the students appearing for the Government examination but also for all others who are pursuing different courses and levels in Music. With the grace of God and with the idea of contributing my humble service for the cause of Karnatic music and for the benefit of growing future generations, I have published these books.

I pray the great Almighty and seek the blessings of the great elder Musicians and bow down to them for their whole-hearted cooperation and blessings and to condone the errors if any. I wish to express my sincere acknowledgement to Professer. Sri R. V. Krishnan and Sangit Rasika Sri. E.Seshadri for their valuable guidance.

**Contents and Sample Pages**