WBBSE Madhyamik Vocal Music (Optional Elective) study plan
WBBSE Madhyamik Vocal Music (Optional Elective) · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Fundamentals of Indian Music (swara, srutti, raga, tala, notation systems) & Raga Lakshana and Practical Performance of Prescribed Ragas
Define and correctly pronounce swara, srutti, raga, tala, and notation terminology, writing each in Bengali script with its meaning
Map the 22 srutti to the 12 swaras and explain the concept of komal and tivra swaras in your own words
Identify the aroha and avaroha of all prescribed ragas and classify each as sampurna, shadav, or audav
Sing the ascending and descending scale of two prescribed ragas daily with tanpura or a drone app
Your checkpoint
A hand-written glossary of 30 fundamental terms plus a scale chart of every prescribed raga with its jati classification, checked against your textbook
Raga Lakshana and Practical Performance of Prescribed Ragas
Analyse the lakshana of each prescribed raga: vadi, samvadi, anuvadi, vivadi, and time of day
Identify the pakad (catch phrase) of each prescribed raga and sing it accurately from memory
Distinguish pairs of similar ragas by singing their contrasting pakads back to back
Practise one vilambit and one drut composition in the first two prescribed ragas
Your checkpoint
A raga lakshana table covering all prescribed ragas (vadi, samvadi, jati, time, pakad) and a recording of yourself singing the pakad of each raga correctly
Raga Lakshana and Practical Performance of Prescribed Ragas & Prescribed Songs and Bhajans/Compositions
Memorise the full notation of the prescribed songs and bhajans, including sthayi and antara
Sing each prescribed composition with correct swara, sahitya, and tala alignment
Explain the meaning and context of each bhajan text in two or three sentences
Practise alap in one prescribed raga for five minutes without breaking the raga's grammar
Your checkpoint
A written lyric-and-notation sheet for every prescribed song and bhajan, plus one complete unaccompanied rendition of a prescribed composition recorded end to end
Tala System, Laya and Rhythmic Exercises
Define tala, matra, vibhag, tali, khali, and sam, and mark them correctly in notation
Write out the theka of the prescribed talas with correct bols and clap counts
Count and demonstrate laya in vilambit, madhya, and drut for one prescribed tala
Perform a simple rhythmic exercise with hand claps marking tali and khali while reciting bols
Your checkpoint
A tala chart for every prescribed tala showing matra, vibhag, tali, khali, and theka, demonstrated aloud with correct clap pattern
Notation Writing and Reading (Paluskar and Bhatkhande systems)
Convert one prescribed song from Bhatkhande notation to Paluskar notation and back without errors
Explain the symbols used in both systems for komal, tivra, mandra, and taar swaras
Write the notation of a prescribed composition in both systems side by side
Read an unseen notated passage aloud in swara and identify its raga from the notation
Your checkpoint
A two-column notation sheet of one full composition in both systems, plus a correctly identified unseen notated passage
Tala System, Laya and Rhythmic Exercises & Notation Writing and Reading (Paluskar and Bhatkhande systems)
Notate a short rhythmic exercise in a prescribed tala using correct symbol conventions
Perform the notated exercise at three laya speeds while keeping sam steady
Correct five deliberately flawed notation lines by spotting the errors
Explain how laya and tala interact in a drut composition
Your checkpoint
A self-written rhythmic exercise in notation, performed at three speeds and submitted with a marked-up error-correction sheet
Life and Contribution of Prescribed Musicians and Musicologists & Basic Knowledge of Musical Instruments and Voice Culture
Summarise the life, key works, and contribution of each prescribed musician and musicologist
State which notation system or raga classification each musicologist is associated with
Describe the structure and playing technique of the prescribed instruments
Explain voice culture basics: breathing, pitch placement, and safe daily practice routine
Your checkpoint
One-page profiles of all prescribed musicians and musicologists plus a labelled diagram-free written description of each prescribed instrument and a personal voice-care routine
Fundamentals of Indian Music (swara, srutti, raga, tala, notation systems) & Raga Lakshana and Practical Performance of Prescribed Ragas & Tala System, Laya and Rhythmic Exercises & Notation Writing and Reading (Paluskar and Bhatkhande systems) & Prescribed Songs and Bhajans/Compositions & Life and Contribution of Prescribed Musicians and Musicologists & Basic Knowledge of Musical Instruments and Voice Culture
Revise all raga lakshana tables, tala charts, and notation sheets from weeks 1 to 7
Sing every prescribed song and bhajan once through without referring to notes
Answer past-paper style questions on fundamentals, notation, and musicians under timed conditions
Identify and fix your three weakest areas from the timed practice
Your checkpoint
A full mock paper completed under exam timing, scored and corrected, with a written list of weak areas and a revision plan
Milestones
Week 2: You can name vadi, samvadi, jati, and time for every prescribed raga and sing each pakad correctly from memory
Week 4: You can write and demonstrate the theka of every prescribed tala with correct tali and khali
Week 6: You can convert a full composition between Paluskar and Bhatkhande notation with no symbol errors
Week 8: You score at least 60 percent on the timed mock paper and can sing all prescribed songs and bhajans unaccompanied