Appreciating Hindustani Music Course | Learn Raga, Khayal & Dhrupad
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 78 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Categories | Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit Points | 2 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 28 Mar 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Embark on a Sonic Journey: Appreciating Hindustani Music
Have you ever been captivated by the intricate melodies of a sitar or moved by the profound depth of a khayal vocal performance? Hindustani classical music, one of the world's oldest and most sophisticated musical traditions, offers a universe of emotion, intellect, and spiritual exploration. This eight-week course, Appreciating Hindustani Music, is your guided entry into this enchanting world. Designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike, it requires no prior musical training—just an open mind and a curious heart.
Your Guide: Prof. Lakshmi Sreeram
Your journey is led by the esteemed Prof. Lakshmi Sreeram, an Associate Professor at Ahmedabad University. A distinguished vocalist and scholar, her credentials are a testament to a deep, lifelong engagement with music:
- Guru-Shishya Parampara: Trained under legends like Pt. Vasantrao Kulkarni, Pt. Babanrao Haldankar, and currently under the renowned Pt. Satyasheel Deshpande.
- Award-Winning Scholar: Recipient of the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship (2019-20) to study improvisation in Jazz at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
- Expert Educator: Has created and taught popular courses at IIT Madras and for NPTEL, reaching thousands of students.
- Critically Acclaimed Performer: Regular performer at leading music festivals across India.
- Renowned Writer: Contributes research and articles to premier publications like The Hindu and Firstpost.
What You Will Explore: Course Overview
This course delves into the three vibrant pillars of Hindustani music: the devotional and austere Dhrupad, the romantic and elaborate Khayal, and the captivating world of Instrumental Music. While providing historical context, the focus remains on contemporary practice, making the art form accessible and relevant today.
The pedagogy is rich and immersive, featuring:
- Live Demonstrations and Guided Listening sessions to train your ear.
- Guest Lectures by maestros like Pt. Satyasheel Deshpande, Dr. Ritwik Sanyal (Dhrupad), Pt. Vyasmurti Katti (Harmonium), and Dr. Aneesh Pradhan (Tabla).
- Lecture-demonstrations on instruments like the Sarod by Pt. Suresh Vyas and the Sitar by Dr. Supriya Shah.
Weekly Course Layout: A Step-by-Step Journey
| Week | Core Topics |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to Hindustani Music, Dhrupad, Khayal, Raga Sangeet, Swara (Notes) & Shruti (Microtones). |
| Week 2 | The Tanpura's magic, deep dive into Raga: structure, ornamentation, and time theory. |
| Week 3 | Defining & Classifying Ragas: Mela/Thaat, Raagaanga, and Raga-Ragini systems. |
| Week 4 | Expanding the Raga corpus, understanding Tala (rhythm), Laya (tempo), and the Khayal compositional form. |
| Week 5 | The architecture of Khayal: Vilambit (slow), improvisation (Raga Vistaar), and the eight limbs (Ashtaanga). |
| Week 6 | The legendary Gharanas (stylistic schools) and the role of melodic accompaniment. |
| Week 7 | The majestic Dhrupad genre and the expressive, lyrical world of Thumri. |
| Week 8 | Instrumental music spotlight (Sarod, Sitar, Tabla), 20th-century reformers, and Hindustani music in the digital age. |
Essential Resources for Your Exploration
To deepen your understanding, Prof. Sreeram recommends a curated list of books and online resources:
- Books:
- Music Contexts / Keywords and Concepts: Hindustani Classical Music by Ashok Ranade
- Music In India: The Classical Traditions by Bonnie C. Wade
- Lost World of Hindustani Music by Kumar Prasad Mukherjee
- Online Sources:
- Swarganga & Parrikar.org: For raga descriptions and curated audio clips.
- Archive of Indian Music & Baithak Foundation on Google Arts & Culture.
- Articles by Dr. Aneesh Pradhan on Scroll.in and the research archive at mohannadkarni.org.
Who Should Take This Course?
This course is designed for a wide audience: undergraduate students, working professionals, complete beginners, or seasoned listeners looking to formalize their knowledge. The only prerequisite is a graduate degree (in any discipline), but a passion for music is the true key. If you've ever wondered how a raga unfolds, what a tabla is saying, or why khayal touches the soul, this is your starting point.
Join Prof. Lakshmi Sreeram on this eight-week expedition into the heart of Hindustani music. Move beyond passive listening to active appreciation, and discover a timeless art form that continues to inspire, challenge, and mesmerize the world.
Enroll Now →