Swaranjali School of Music

With Pandit Jasraj at Home Rehearsing with Children’s Group Parampara Festival at Crossroads Stage, Bellevue
 

MISSION STATEMENT

“I want to teach the traditions left by the masters of Indian music by making it a hands-on experience for the younger generation. This is how I would like to spread the awareness of our rich, ancient heritage. I hope my students will develop a lifelong love for the art.”
Vasu Sundarraj

Vasu’s vision for passing on the traditions of Hindustani classical music became a reality when she founded the Swaranjali School of Music in 1999. The name Swaranjali is derived from two Sanskrit words: Swara, meaning “musical notes”, and Anjali, meaning “offering to the Divine”. Together, Swaranjali translates to a “musical offering to the Divine”.

The students of Swaranjali receive rigorous training centered upon the Khayal tradition of Hindustani classical music. This involves the study of Hindustani raags and taals, and vocal development through the practice of aalap and taans. Over time, students form an extensive repertoire of Khayals and raag-based devotional songs, as well as patriotic and other inspirational songs.

CURRICULUM AND MUSIC EXAMINATIONS

In 2004, Swaranjali became affiliated with the Pracheen Kala Kendra, located in Kolkata and Chandigarh. Swaranjali students follow the universally-recognized “Bhatkhande System”, which forms the basis for both instruction and testing. This system, along with regular examinations, gives students a measurable way to track their musical progress and development.

Examinations are conducted by a professional, independent examiner who is flown in from outside the Seattle area. Each student is tested individually with live tabla accompaniment. The curriculum is split into two levels, and the exams for each level are conducted after the requisite coursework has been completed in class. The first level exam covers the Prarambhik Levels 1 & 2 and Sangeet Bhushan Level 1 curriculum. The second level exam covers the Sangeet Bhushan Level 2 curriculum. The exams have a theory component as well as a practical component; the aggregate score is used to determine the student’s level of competency. Swaranjali is proud that 102 students – children and adults – have taken these exams, with the majority achieving a first-class and many with distinction.

In 2012, Swaranjali changed its affiliation to the Hindusthan Arts and Music Society in Kolkata, which follows a virtually identical curriculum to the Pracheen Kala Kendra.

 

 

 

 

© 2012 Swaranjali School of Music. Contact Vasu Sundarraj at music@swaranjalischool.com