CHSE Odisha Vocational Odissi Pakhwaj (Mardal) study plan

Memorise and demonstrate the fundamental right-hand Pakhwaj strokes (dha, dhi, ta, tin, na, ge, ga, ka, tirakita) on the instrument at slow tempo, naming each bol aloud as you play it

Map each basic bol to its correct stick-hand motion and resonant point on the left and right heads, and write a one-line description of the physical action for each

Practise the four core single-stroke and double-stroke combinations for 20 minutes daily until they are clean and even at 40-60 BPM

Record a 3-minute audio of yourself playing each basic bol in isolation and in simple pairs, then listen back and mark any uneven strokes

Play four simple pre-composed bol patterns (each 4-8 matras) in ektal and aditala with steady tempo, keeping the left-hand dampening consistent

Label the parts of the Pakhwaj (right head, left head, syahi, lacing, body) on a hand-drawn diagram and state the material and function of each

Explain in writing how the syahi affects pitch and resonance, and how head tension and lacing adjustment change tone

Demonstrate correct tuning and daily maintenance steps on your own instrument and describe the procedure in 5 sentences

Define and count out the structure of aditala, ektal, khemta, and jhampa, marking tali, khali, and vibhag by hand clap and wave while reciting the theka

Recite the theka of each of the four talas aloud at a steady pulse for 5 minutes without breaking, using a metronome at 60-70 BPM

Play the theka of aditala and ektal on the Pakhwaj with correct tali/khali emphasis, matching a metronome for 10 continuous cycles

Draw the vibhag structure of each tala in notation form, showing matra numbers and tali/khali positions

Learn and play the full theka and one traditional accompaniment pattern for khemta and jhampa, keeping time with a metronome for 8 cycles each

Identify the role of the Pakhwaj in accompanying Odissi vocal and dance, and write how the drummer signals sam, tali, and khali to the performer

Practise accompanying a recorded Odissi song or dance piece, entering correctly and staying locked to the tala

Memorise at least two short traditional bol compositions and play them from memory without notation

Build a solo item of 6-8 minutes that moves from slow alap-like bol exposition through a composed theme into a faster variation, and rehearse it end to end three times

Improvise (upaj) short 2-cycle phrases within aditala, keeping the final stroke on sam for at least 10 consecutive attempts

Practise two tihai-style cadential patterns and land them precisely on sam with a metronome

Write out the structure of your solo item in notation, marking where improvisation occurs and how you return to the theme

Refine the week-5 solo by tightening transitions and varying dynamics, then record a second version and compare it with the first

Summarise the history of the Odissi Pakhwaj and its place in Odissi music, distinguishing it from the Hindustani pakhawaj and the mardal of other traditions

Describe the role of the guru-shishya oral tradition in transmitting Pakhwaj repertoire, and explain how gharanas or regional styles differ in approach

Name key contributors or lineages associated with Odissi percussion where you can verify them, and flag uncertain claims for review rather than guessing

Transcribe a short traditional bol composition into a consistent notation system, showing matra divisions, tali/khali, and bol syllables

Recite your transcription aloud and then play it, checking that notation and performance match exactly

Do a listening analysis of one Odissi percussion recording: identify the tala, mark sam and vibhag, and note where improvisation begins and ends

Explain the strengths and limits of oral versus written transmission for Odissi Pakhwaj in 150 words

Rehearse full mock performances: set up, tune, acknowledge the ensemble, perform a solo item, and accompany a piece, all under timed conditions

Practise ensemble discipline: maintain eye contact and cueing with a singer or dancer, recover cleanly from a deliberate mistake, and keep the tala unbroken

Prepare and rehearse answers to likely viva questions on construction, tala theory, history, and maintenance

Do a final full review of weak areas from weeks 1-7 and run one complete timed mock exam covering all eight domains