Sarali Varisai (Lesson 1) | Mayamalava Gowlai Ragam

Sarali Varisai is used to learn the Swarams in the Octave, usually in Mayamalava Gowlai
Ragam. It is learnt in simple straight ascending and descending fashion. It is also learned
in multiple Kalams (or speeds).

Exercises in Sarali Varisai help students learn the basic swaras of Carnatic music. It helps
students to get correct melody and rhythm. Students should try to vocalize the three main
swaras SA PA and (high) SA, which are consonant notes, with perfect alignment with their
shruthi box.

What are Saptha Swaras?

Saptha Swaras are the seven (musical) notes that are the building blocks in Carnatic
music. Notes are described as given below:

1 Shadjam SA
2 Rishabham RI
3 Gandharam GA
4 Madhyamam MA
5 Panchamam PA
6 Daivatham DA
7 Nishadam NI

Talam: refers to rhythm cycle or beat for a particular song. Or simply, rhythm. One must
always use the right hand on the right lap to keep track of Talam.

Note: Sarali Varisai is sung in Adi Talam.

Adi Talam is a fundamental beat cycle which helps one sing Sarali Varisai with correct
rhythm. The Talam goes like this:

|| 1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8 ||
|| Clap || Pinky || Ring || Middle || Clap || Turn || Clap || Turn ||

Students should practice Sarali Varisai with Adi Talam as follows:

|| SA || RI || GA || MA || PA || DA || NI || SA ||
|| SA || NI || DA || PA || MA || GA || RI || SA ||

Shruti box will provide basic pitch "SA" called Andhara Shadjam and "PA" (5th note from
"SA") and high-SA (4th note from "PA").

--