Indian Music Summer School
Ragas of the Morning
26th July - 2nd August
School of Oriental & African Studies (SOAS)
University of London
Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square
London, WC1H 0XG

The summer school offers eight full days of expert tuition in the three principal vocal genres if dhrupad, khyal and thumri and also on sitar. The summer school gives an opportunity for people to learn directly from Indian masters, in the spirit of the traditional guru-shisya parampara (teacher-pupil relationship). Participants choose the genre in which they wish to specialise, and the relevant artist becomes their guru for the week. There are supporting seminar, illustrates lectures, concerts and open discussions with the summer school teacher. Special seminars on tabla are presented by Kumar Bose and on pakhawaj by Manik Munde. Optional yoga classes are also available, Vocal and instrumental classes are open to all takers, beginners and advances (maximum class size is 15).

The theme of this year's Indian Music Summer School is 'Rags of the Morning', Rags of the morning are diverse in their emotional content, while at the same time, have a common, underlying meditative and introspective quality. Generally serious in character, the individual expressions of the various rags range from serene calmness, to that of great disturbance and unease. Different rags express the different stages of development of the morning, beginning with the rags of dawn break, such as Lalit or Vibhas. Subsequent groups of rags express the moments after the sunrises, as the introspection of the night begins to fade with the birth and development of a new day. The rags associated with the morning period include those belonging to the Bhairav, Todi, Bhairavi, as well as certain rags from the Bilawal family of rags.

THE ARTISTES

UDAY BHAWALKAR
Artist-in-residence (dhrupad)
Dhrupad is believed to be the oldest surviving form of North Indian classical vocal music, dating back to the 15th century. An austere and highly spiritual form, dhrupad has enjoyed a revival of popularity in recent years. Uday Bhalwalkar hails from the long-standing Dagar Gharana, a respected dhrupad singer, he has performed at many prominent music festivals in India and around the world and has taught dhrupad at the Asian Music Circuit's annual Indian Music Summer School.

RAJAN & SAJAN MISRA
Artists-in-residence (khyal)
Literally translated as 'fantasy', khyal is an elaborate and virtuosic style, incorporating many of the elements of dhrupad, whilst allowing more complex ornamentation and greater structural freedom. Rajan and Sajan are among India's most celebrated exponents of khyal, from ht esteemed lineage of the Benares Gharana. Musically, the brothers have an exquisite mutual understanding: 'when we sing we are one soul singing, even though we are in two bodies.' They return this year to delight and challenge their students.

SUNANDA SHARMA
Artist-in-residence (thumri)
Often described as 'light' or semi-classical' styles, thumri is nevertheless demanding and highly refined genre. Thumri developed in Lucknow during the 19th century AD, and is now a popular art form. Much emphasis is placed on the subtle expression of emotions in the song-texts. Sunanda Sharma is a fine classical singer, teacher and young star of the Benares Gharana, who has gained her knowledge and experience from the great Smt. Girija Devi. This year she returns to teach a range of thumri and light classical vocal music.

PURBAYAN CHATTERJEE
Artist-in-residence (sitar)
Purbayan is a talented sitarist who began his musical studies with his father, Shri Parthapratim Chatterjee, a disciple of the greatest sitar maestro Pandit Nikhil Banerjee He follows the Nikhil Banerjee style of sitar playing, which is an extremely sophisticated blend of the traditional dhrupad style of the Senia Maihar Gharana and the Khyal Style. Lyricism and compactness are the hallmarks of the style. We are pleased to welcome Purbayan to the Indian Music Summer School this year.

MANIK MUNDE(pakhawaj)
Manik Munde is one of India's leading pakhawaj masters who has accompanied all the major dhrupad artists in concerts all over India and around the world. He returns this year to give seminars on pakhawaj.

KUMAR BOSE (tabla)
Kumar Bose hails from a rich musical tradition and his father, Pandit Biswanath Bose was a distinguished tabla 'nawaz' of the Benares Gharana. Kumar is a famous accompanist, soloist and collaborator and will be giving seminars on tabla.

FEES

The fee for the Indian Music Summer School is £225 (concessionary fee: £175). The concessionary fee is available for NUS, JSA, Income Support, OAP's and full-time music teachers. The fee includes registration, all tuition, and two evening concerts. It does not include food or accommodation.

CONTACT

For further details contact

Asian Music Circuit
Ground Floor Unit E
West Point, 33/34 Warple Way
London W3 0RG
Tel: 020 8742 9911
Fax: 020 8749 3948
Email: info@amc.org.uk
Web: www.amc.org.uk