Sitar and Its Compositions

Composition in Indian Classical Music is an important aspect in the presentation of a Raga. The total presentation of a Raga has got different parts such as Alap, Jod, Taans and composition, which is the soul of the Raga. The composition is in itself capable to present the soul and, essence of the Raga. This book contains all types of compositions in different Ragas. Few of the compositions are also set in other Talas than Teen tall, This book also contains the different Alankars and ,the way how to practice them. In this book the popular ragas of five thatas are given which are Asawari, Bhairav, Bhairavi, Bilawal and khamaj.

Professor Vinay Kumar Aggrawal, one of the senior most disciple of Bharat Ratna Pt. Ravi Shankar, is a well known Sitar player, graded Top Class from A.I.R. and T.V. and has performed all over India and abroad. Ph.D. from Delhi University and author of many articles and books. He has served Kurukshetra University's Music Department as Professor Head and the Dean of the Faculty of Indic studies. Many scholars got their Ph.D. degrees under his guidance. He has served the Music Department of Delhi University also as Professor and Head and Dean, Faculty of Music and Fine Arts and retired as a Professor from the same. Many of his students are performing successfully.

Dr. Alka Nagpal inherited musical training from early childhood under her father. Prof. Vinay Kumar Aggarwal, is a Reader in the Department of Music, Delhi University and `A' class graded Sitar player from A.I.R. and T.V. She is a topper and gold medallist in M.A. from Kurukshetra University and Ph.D. from Delhi University. She is the author of `Sangeet Mein Shodh Pravidhi.' She is also duiding few research scholars for their Ph.D. and has performed in various prestigious music concerts throughout the country.

The book contains the various compositions, which are to be performed on sitar, the most popular musical instrument of India. Sitar is an improvised version of ancient veena. Its tonal quality is so different than the other stringed instruments due to which it has gained popularity.

The compositions performed on any instrument is always duly composed, keeping in view the playing technique of the instrument. Our effort is to present such compositions which suit the instrument in general with special emphasis on sitar.

The ragas covered in this book belong to five thatas only. In some of the ragas more than two compositions are given to enable the student to have a more clear picture of the raga.

Some of the patterns which help the student in practising as well as forming the tana are also described. We hope this venture of ours will be quite useful to a student of a sitar.

**Contents and Sample Pages**