The Art of Sitar Practice: My Daily Riyaaz
Music is my daily conversation with the divine. This is a look into my riyaaz, the quiet, focused hours of practice where I explore ragas, refine Maihar Gharana techniques, and compose new melodies.
An intimate practice session, exploring the nuances of Raga Kausi Bhairav. These moments of spontaneous improvisation and creation are the foundation of my musical life.
A quiet moment of practice with Raga Bihaag. I find the 'Ni' and 'Ga' notes in this raga to be incredibly beautiful. Here, I am exploring how to be creative while staying true to the raga's pure form.
When it rains in Delhi, it's time to practice Malhar. Remembering an old composition I learned from my Guru, which is great practice for the "krintan & zamzama" techniques of the Maihar Gharana.
The monsoons have finally arrived, which means it's Malhaar season. Inspired to spontaneously compose and practice a piece in the rare 10-beat Saadra Tala.
A very special Vasant Panchami. I started cleaning my 100-year-old Surbahar, a gift from the famous film star Dr. Raj Kumar, and felt an outpour of emotions playing in front of the Goddess Saraswati.
A beautiful bandish in Raga Bihag that I learned from my senior Guru bhai. The beauty of these compositions lies in their deceptive simplicity, which requires years of practice to master.
About Practice & Process
Mastering a raga is never about getting to the end, it is about finding the depth in every single note. When I practice my daily riyaaz, whether it is exploring the krintan and zamzama techniques of the Maihar Gharana or improvising on a 10-beat tala during the monsoon, I am looking for the soul of the music. This same commitment to authenticity is what I bring to every concert stage, ensuring that what you hear is an honest expression of Hindustani classical music.
People often ask what happens behind the scenes before a concert. My life as a musician is built on these hours of quiet. Practice is not just about technique, it is a spiritual surrender. I spend my mornings with the Sitar, revisiting the compositions taught to me by my Guru, the legendary Pandit Ravi Shankar. Whether it is the deceptive simplicity of a bandish in Raga Bihag or the monsoon-inspired compositions of Malhar, my goal is always to keep the purity of the raga alive.
I often use looping to experiment with improvisations, allowing myself to explore the nuances of a raga while maintaining its structure. Sometimes, I return to my antique Surbahar, a cherished gift from Dr. Raj Kumar, to rediscover textures that define our tradition. This dedication to riyaaz is the only way to earn the freedom to improvise on stage. When you book a performance, you are not just getting a musician, you are getting a lifetime of this specific, disciplined practice. My aim is to make classical music accessible and joyous for everyone, from seasoned listeners to those hearing a sitar for the first time.
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