Saswata Choudhury
About
An adept disciple of Pt Tejendra Narayan Majumdar for the past six years, I have immersed myself in the rich tradition of Indian classical music, specifically focusing on the sarod. My musical journey began a decade ago with vocal training, and over the years, I have expanded my expertise by undergoing rigorous tabla training under the guidance of maestro Soumen Nandi. Combining my passion for the sarod and vocal music, I have honed my skills to become both a seasoned performer and an effective teacher over the last three years.
As part of my commitment to imparting knowledge, I have taken on the role of a part-time sarod instructor at the Arome School of Art and Culture in Kolkata. This experience has not only allowed me to share my musical insights but has also fostered my growth as an educator. Additionally, my versatility as a freelance musician has led me to collaborate on various projects, including contributing to ad films and independent albums. This exposure to diverse musical contexts has enriched my understanding of the art form and broadened my creative horizons.
Academically, I graduated with honors in Linguistics from the prestigious Sanskrit College and currently find myself pursuing a master's degree in Linguistics at Jadavpur University. This academic pursuit complements my musical endeavors, as I believe in the interconnectedness of language and music. The synergies between these disciplines contribute to a holistic understanding of the cultural and artistic landscape.
My teaching style is rooted in the rich tradition of the Maihar Gharana of Sarode playing, renowned for its depth and intricacy. However, I also integrate industry-relevant techniques and fusion-related playing to offer a comprehensive musical education. For beginners, I prioritize fundamental skills such as note recognition, singing, ear training, and rhythm training. Basic-intermediate hand practice, time cycles, taalas, and an introduction to raagas and basic bandishes set the foundation. Additionally, students learn a few songs and basic improvisation techniques while gaining insight into the basic history of Indian Classical Music. As students progress to the intermediate level, we delve deeper into the nuances of raagas, exploring alaap, jod, gat, and different angs of playing a raag. Advanced hand practice, complex taalas, and concepts like jati and microbeat are introduced to expand their understanding. I also incorporate contemporary music and demonstrate the versatility of the sarod in various musical contexts. Techniques like transposition and playing all over the instrument broaden their repertoire, while imitating vocal music enhances their musical expression. Furthermore, we delve deeper into the history and philosophy of Indian Classical Music, providing a holistic understanding of the art form. This multifaceted approach ensures that students not only develop technical proficiency but also gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural and philosophical aspects of Indian Classical Music.
I am a part-time sarod teacher at the Arome School of Art and Culture in Kolkata. I also teach independently in and around Kolkata and I also have a few students from Dubai whom I teach online. I have completed my Linguistics major from Sanskrit College and am pursuing a Master's degree in Linguistics from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.
For beginners, I prioritize fundamental skills such as note recognition, singing, ear training, and rhythm training. Basic-intermediate hand practice, time cycles, taalas, and an introduction to raagas and basic bandishes set the foundation. Additionally, students learn a few songs and basic improvisation techniques while gaining insight into the basic history of Indian Classical Music. As students progress to the intermediate level, we delve deeper into the nuances of raagas, exploring alaap, jod, gat, and different angs of playing a raag. Advanced hand practice, complex taalas, and concepts like jati and microbeat are introduced to expand their understanding. I also incorporate contemporary music and demonstrate the versatility of the sarod in various musical contexts. Techniques like transposition and playing all over the instrument broaden their repertoire, while imitating vocal music enhances their musical expression. Furthermore, we delve deeper into the history and philosophy of Indian Classical Music, providing a holistic understanding of the art form. This multifaceted approach ensures that students not only develop technical proficiency but also gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural and philosophical aspects of Indian Classical Music.
Music and Musical Thought in Early India by Lewis Eugene Rowell
All the other materials will be provided in pdf or any required format.