𝕸𝖆𝖓𝖔𝖉𝖍𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆 𝕾𝖆𝖓𝖌𝖊𝖊𝖙𝖍𝖆𝖒

How can you sing Manodharmam?

First of all there are 4 types of Manodharmam.

1. Raga Alapana

2. Taanam

3. Niraval

4. Kalpanaswaram

How to develop the “art” of Manodharmam? It is not easy to teach Manodharmam to someone.

Raga Alapana is sung with syllables like “Tadarina” etc. Taanam has syllables, “Aaananta, Ananta, Namta, Taanam” etc. The third Manodharmam- Niraval- is the improvisation of a particular passage of a Kriti, which has stages like first speed, medium speed and third speed. And the last, Kalpanaswaram is sung with combinations of swaras, as prescribed in the Arohanavarohanam of a raga.

All the elements of Manodharmam have different styles. Though the raagam remains the same, the application of Manodharmam is different in all four.What should be done to develop Manodharmam? I believe that the first and foremost is listening. Listening will help one to understand the essence of Manodharmam. Later on the aspirant can try singing Manodharmam.

In this context, I have found that singing Manodharma swaram is the easiest of the four.