Learning Sitar: The Guru-Shishya Parampara
Teaching sitar is not just a job for me, it is a way of passing on the flame. Whether you are taking your first steps or refining your ragas, we learn together in the traditional way.
An intense taleem session with my student Arjun on Raag Puriya. This one-on-one training is where we do the deep work on the nuances of a raag.
A taleem session with my student Sanjith, focusing on Raag Shuddh Sarang. I guide him through the intricate phrases and finger movements.
Part two of my taleem with Sanjith on Raag Shuddh Sarang. Repetition and careful correction are key to mastering the details of Hindustani classical music.
I am teaching a drut gat I composed in Raag Yaman to my students. I enjoy creating new compositions for them to learn and master.
A daily taleem session with my students, teaching the 'Main vari vari' bandish in Raag Yaman. Consistent practice is the only way to progress.
Teaching Raag Miyan Malhar to my student Ranjan Hemant ji. Even complex monsoon raags become accessible with step-by-step guidance.
We learn together as a community. This is a new batch of students practicing palta exercises for Raag Yaman. There is a special energy when we all play together.
About this collection
Every lesson starts with the basics of posture and how to sit properly, and we move to finger exercises called paltas before touching a raag. You will not find rigid classroom drills here. Instead, I dictate each gat and bandish directly into your notebook, just as my gurus did for me, ensuring you have a handwritten record to practice during the week.
In the Guru-Shishya tradition, music is shared, not just taught. When you join, we sit together on the floor in the baithak style. This environment creates a bond where you are comfortable to ask questions and I can correct your grip or stroke technique immediately.
We begin with the fundamentals—how to hold the sitar and the importance of tuning—before we dive into Raag Yaman or Shuddh Sarang. There is no rush to finish a syllabus. I teach at your pace, focusing on the clarity of your 'Meend' (pull) and 'Da-Ra' strokes.
For those ready for advanced challenges, we focus on improvisation including the Alaap and Jod, along with complex rhythmic patterns like Jhaptaal. My son Raviteja and my brother Puttaraj often join to provide tabla accompaniment. This helps you understand the concept of 'Sawal-Jawab' (call and response) in a real performance setting.
I believe music is incomplete if it stays within four walls. That is why I encourage all my students to perform in our Alaap Sangeet Sabha gatherings. It gives you the confidence to share your music, which is the true test of any taleem. Whether you are a child or an adult managing work, my goal is to help you find your own sound and the guts to share it.
Vijay Gonahal
I am Vijay. My life revolves around the sitar, from early morning practice to the late-night baithaks with my students. I treat everyone who comes to learn, whether a young child or a busy professional, like family.
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