Indian Karnatic Music (Lower Grade Theory Book- English Model Question Papers and Practical Songs With Notations)

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 fine art, which is held in a very high esteem by the whole world and has to be appreciated as long as the world exists. This fine art of Karnatic music is highly enjoyable, pleasant and a classic one. When the Karnatic music is developing now in a mighty way and growing in a fast manner, it has become highly essential for the students learning Music, to know all the Theories and the intricacies of Karnatic Music. Our forefathers and great musicians and composers have written lots of books for us, to know about all the aspects of Karnatic music. Their intention was that the future generations should get maximum benefits from those wonderful creations.

As desired and blessed by my Guru, Veena Vidhushi, Smt. R. Jayalakshmi, I have been conducting classes in both Vocal and Veena, on my Guru's Pani for the past 54 years. To enable the students appearing for the Indian Music Lower and Higher Grade Government examinations, I have written two separate Theory Books in Tamil and English with Practical songs with Notations and Model Question papers and also written Sri Thyagarajar, Sri Purandhara dhasar's Kirthanas in English which are being found very useful by the students. Now I have published the Second Edtion of the English Lower Grade Thoery Book and Sri Mutthuswamy Dhikshidhar Kirthanas Book with Notation in English.

Even those students, who are not appearing for the examinations, by reading this book can know these Sangitha Lakshanas and will be very much benefited. My sincere acknowledgements to Kalaimamani Prof. Sri. R.V. Krishnan and Sangith Rasika Sri. E.Seshadri for their valuable guidance.

With the idea of contributing my humble service, for the cause of Karnatic music and for its further development. I pray, the great Almighty and seek the blessings of the great elder Musicians and bow down to them, for their whole hearted co-operation and blessings.

**Contents and Sample Pages**