r/icm • • Feb 13 '18

IMPORTANT RESOURCES Resources on Indian Classical Music

96 Upvotes

Learning

Music in Motion

A great tool which gives a visual perspective on the movements and intricacies in the various ragas of Hindustani music. This is how ICM should be thought of. Here is Ram Deshpande's heartfelt rendering of Raga Bihag analyzed.

Rajan Parrikar's blog

Excellent resource to learn the nuances of various ragas by harmonium player Rajan Parrikar. Focused mainly on Hindustani ragas, but a few Carnatic ones as well. The theoretical discussion is supplemented with large number of audio clips. Articles for most ragas also have a concise yet fulfilling oral explanation by the distinguished composer and teacher Ramashreya “Ramrang” Jha. Here you can listen to him talk about Raga Darbari Kannada. Language will be a barrier for non-Hindi speakers, but please feel free to ask for a translation of any of his recordings here.

Charulatha Mani's blog

A performing Carnatic singer since her teenage years, Charulatha Mani writes about her music and life. There are lots of articles on Carnatic ragas and many fine video lecture-demonstrations. Somewhat cluttered since you have to navigate through posts on her personal life, but the ragas covered on her blog can be found in this post. She has written many short articles for The Hindu and here's a playlist with some of her demonstrations.

Dunya

This extends the "music in motion" concept to not only Carnatic but also other forms of Asian classical music. Free registration required to play a video. Ragam Hameer Kalyani by Sumithra Vasudev.

Gajananbuwa Joshi's sessions

The YouTube channel Sangeetveda1 has a lot of videos with audio recordings of Pandit Gajananbuwa Joshi giving one on one tuition to Pandit Ulhas Kashalkar. Even if you are not looking to learn, it is very pleasing to listen to a master teach a sparkling student. The tutorial for Raga Bhairav.

Tanarang.com

A quick way to familiarize yourself with a Hindustani raga. This site contains short summaries of many common Hindustani ragas and some compositions by Vishwanath Rao Ringe "Tanarang" of Gwalior Gharana for each raga. The related YouTube channel Raaga Tutorials is a gem full of Tanarang's tuition.

Sound of India

The site contains short free lessons and articles on various aspects of Hindustani music. The Raagas page is similar to "Tanarang", but more lists popular music instead of classical compositions.

Raga Surbhi

Quick fix to a Carnatic raga including songs and compositions. Also contains articles on basic theory, music appreciation, and talas (rhythm).

Pandit Arvind Parikh's YouTube channel

Extensive discussion with Hindustani classical artists on their approach to the music. Also includes performances by his students.

Warren Sender's Posts on Practicing

An American jazz musician who is also a dedicated Hindustani vocalist recommends various exercises and habits that will help with practicing a raga. His YouTube channel also has a playlist with video recordings of himself receiving taleem in Raga Shree from his guru Pandit S. G. Devasthali. Here's another one with audio recording of a Raga Ahir Bhairav tuition.

Deepak Raja's blog

Noted critic and author writes about Hindustani music here. The blog contains articles on theory, history, interviews, reviews, and even video performances and lectures.


Listening

RaaGist

A great resource for beginners hoping to familiarize themselves to the world of Hindustani music and its musicians. Recordings are classified by ragas, time of day, and artists making it easy to find new content.

Flat, Black and Classical

MP3 and/or lossless downloads for rare, out of print vinyls and cassettes published many decades ago. Indian Classical Music on Vinyls is another similar blog.

Please Note: The musical works on this page -- all commercially unavailable to the best of our knowledge -- are meant to promote artists and labels. If you like this music -- please go try and buy the original! Labels and artists need and deserve our support! This blog is produced because of a passion for indian classical music and a genuine desire to increase the audience for this beautiful art form.

Oriental Traditional Music

Similar to "Flat, Black and Classical", but also contains music from the Middle East, and East/Southeast Asia.

YouTube Channels


r/icm • • 19d ago

IMPORTANT RESOURCES Looking for classes or a tutor? Post in this thread

5 Upvotes

We have had an influx of people asking for online tutors/classes and due to a pesky spamming ban evader, we've had to remove posts of this nature. However, we want people to learn and for this music to grow so we are determined not to let one piss-taker ruin it for everyone else.

This thread should be used to request information on tutors or classes. We have a list of tutors and schools available on our wiki.

Some notable places:

Darbar offers singing, sitar, and tabla lessons.

A member of this community's mother

This thread is not for everyone to spam their own promotions. It will be monitored and comments will be removed if need be. Threads along the lines of "I'm looking for a teacher" will be removed and users will be directed here instead.


r/icm • • 17h ago

Discussion Relationship between Amir Khan and Kumar Gandharva

11 Upvotes

https://rec.music.indian.classical.narkive.com/5kmThots/amir-khan-on-singers-not-named-amir-khan

Has anyone read this forum article about the seemingly contentious relationship between Kumar Gandharva and Amir Khan?

Some quotes:

He said Kumar consistently spoke about Amir Khan as "miraasiyaa"...

....When he tried to speak to Amir Khan about Kumar,
the response he got was, "I thought we were discussing classical
music?"

I'm not sure if I believe it, since most of the information comes from third party sources or 'interviews'. But I can also see how they would have that opinion of each other.


r/icm • • 1d ago

Music Raag Ahir Lalit on Santoor - 3 Samples

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3 Upvotes

r/icm • • 1d ago

Question/Seeking Advice Jawari/ Jiva of Tanpura!

5 Upvotes

Hello folks!

I was initially advised to use eyebrow-threading thread for the jawari, and since then, I’ve experimented with different types of threads, each producing a slightly different sound texture.

I’m curious to know what your experiences have been! What kind of thread do you use for jawari, and which one has given you the sound you enjoy the most?

I’ve heard that silk thread is considered the best, but I haven’t tried it yet. Is it really worth the switch? Would love to hear your recommendations and experiences! 😊


r/icm • • 1d ago

Question/Seeking Advice Indian Classical Music London

1 Upvotes

Any Indian Classical musicians located in London?

I play sitar and am interested in meeting others interested in icm.


r/icm • • 1d ago

Other Indian Classical Music Community

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1 Upvotes

Happy Dussehra, everyone! ✨

We’re building a community for anyone passionate about Indian Classical Music and Dance.

Join the community to stay updated or share updates on local concerts, chat about classical arts, and keep our rich heritage thriving together.

Everyone, be it an artist, a classical music enthusiast, or someone looking to explore this genre is welcome!

🌼 A small request: Kindly share this message with your friends, family, and everyone you know who loves or is interested in Indian Classical Music and Dance. Let’s come together to celebrate, preserve, and promote our rich heritage! 🙏✨

https://chat.whatsapp.com/E8SLHEW4sEI9b8yDMUMFtN


r/icm • • 2d ago

Music Looking for a Tabla buddy in Bangalore to ditch the mobile apps and jam together! (Hindustani Classical)

6 Upvotes

Hi folks,

I’ve been learning the bansuri (Hindustani classical) for 2.5 years, and I'm tired of practicing to robotic mobile apps. If you’re learning the tabla and also want a real person to play live lehras/melodies with instead of an app, let's connect!

Even if we just stick to basic taals like Teentaal, Jhaptaal, and Rupak, we can trade solos, play bandishes, and do some fun jugalbandi so we both grow together. Once we get a good groove going, we could even hit up some local open mics or cafes!


r/icm • • 3d ago

Article Building a Carnatic practice app taught me how hard it is for a computer to find Sa

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0 Upvotes

r/icm • • 4d ago

Music The Alaap is pure bliss

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8 Upvotes

r/icm • • 4d ago

Music Raag Gawati | Abhay Rustum Sopori | Santoor

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6 Upvotes

r/icm • • 5d ago

Music Raag Charukauns Vilambit Teentaal Ghat on Santoor

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5 Upvotes

Composed by Pandit Tarun Bhattacharya


r/icm • • 5d ago

Question/Seeking Advice Need Harmonium in Hyderabad (India)

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1 Upvotes

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r/icm • • 6d ago

Music ETHEREAL!!

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14 Upvotes

r/icm • • 7d ago

Music Raag Charukauns on Santoor short sample

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12 Upvotes

r/icm • • 8d ago

Question/Seeking Advice Compact harmonium with built in shruti box

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6 Upvotes

Saw this for sale on fb marketplace, but it's not available anymore. The description only said:

17.5 x 7.3 x 10.75 inches teak
From RIshikesh India
New

Any idea where to find this type of harmonium, or where to order it custom made?

The closest version I found online is the Amritvani Harmonium (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RP7UHmx8W70). It has built in shruti box drones, but the sound of the melody reeds is quite bright (and I get warnings when I try to access their website). Small as it is, the one from FB looks even more compact, which would be great.

Thanks!


r/icm • • 9d ago

Question/Seeking Advice Best way to begin learning the Veena

10 Upvotes

Hello everyone!

My friend and I are 30 F, with several years of Carnatic vocal training until our teen years.

What is the best way to start learning the veena in a serious manner, from scratch?

What is the best way to go about it in Chennai and Bengaluru?

Do teachers offer certifications? Are there any exams? How many hours in person per week is recommended alongside a 9-5? Is it better to join an institution?

Please share anything that you know. Thank you!


r/icm • • 10d ago

Question/Seeking Advice Is it too late to start learning singing?

15 Upvotes

I am 23M, listening to songs for years but recently got the interest to learn it and sing myself. Please help me about it, can I do it?


r/icm • • 10d ago

Question/Seeking Advice Can I start teaching if I don’t have a visharad degree?

5 Upvotes

I started my training in Hindustani Classical Music in 2014. I gave two vocal exams (till praveshika pratham) and one harmonium exam. So I learned icm for 4.5 years and then I took a huge break. But during the break I did not go back to zero, I just needed a little practice to get back where I stopped. I resumed my training in icm last year 2025. And even gave 3rd vocal exams (praveshika purna) and secured a distinction.

I was wondering if I could teach the basics and raga’s to little kids in my society and my friends who want to start learning. I personally always suggest them to find their guru who has a completed their visharad. But the parents have a busy schedule and can’t take their kids to the class bcs it’s far away.

Can people who have not completed visharad be a teacher? I’m not asking this question for myself. But i’m generally asking this.


r/icm • • 11d ago

Other A Carnatic discord server for vocalists and instrumentalists. Interested people, welcome to join!

6 Upvotes

Hello, guys! I am a classical vocalist. The main purpose of this server is to sing and play instruments on the server's VC and share feedback, thereby gaining more knowledge of and a better grip on our singing/playing technique.

People joining this server **MUST** contribute either vocally or by playing instruments. Music sessions will be held on weekends and at other times when the majority of the people on the server are willing to attend. **Joining the server, sharing music video links, or engaging in conversations about music or musicians will not be enough. Members' activity will be noted, and inactive people who join just to listen or chat will be removed.**

I wanted to enforce this particular rule because, in the servers I have seen and been in before, people just talk and talk about music, but no one actually sings. That's why I wanted to create a different server where people are actually vocal, rather than one built around chat or listening sessions. This doesn't mean the server won't have any listening sessions or channels for people to chat about and discuss music; it's just that listening to music videos together won't be our top priority or our most frequent activity.

I’ve just created the server a moment ago, here is the server link: https://discord.gg/9H67pVBUf

Here’s to having a good time sharing our knowledge through singing and playing!


r/icm • • 13d ago

Article Smt. Kishori Amonkar - epitome of Hindustani Vocal Music

26 Upvotes

She is the greatest singer ever. Haven’t found anyone who can match her.


r/icm • • 15d ago

Discussion Strategy to introduce the art form to the new ears and masses - discussion

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4 Upvotes

r/icm • • 15d ago

Question/Seeking Advice Help with learning the Ragas and additional music theory?

4 Upvotes

Hello! After some deliberation I decided that for now I’ll try and use my guitar as my instrument of choice to learn Indian Classical- I’ll just be using it with a slide and tuning it open. I was wondering, how can I learn the Ragas, and how can I delve deeper into its theoretical components? I’m pretty well versed in Western Music theory so I’m wondering where would be a good place for me to start?
Thanks!


r/icm • • 15d ago

Question/Seeking Advice How to improve faster in singing

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1 Upvotes

r/icm • • 16d ago

Question/Seeking Advice Am I capturing the essence of the raga?

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9 Upvotes

Anyone here adapt ragas to the clarinet?

I have recently found a love for Indian classical music and have been trying to learn the theory and music, but on western instruments.

I’m a beginner at playing clarinet and Indian classical music so I’m wondering what people think of this, if it is recognisable as a raag or if it is not quite. Any advice is highly appreciated.

I’ve heard some incredible raga clarinet playing on youtube by the likes of Ram Krishna which has been one of my main inspirations.