Indian Classical Music And Sikh Kirtan
by Gobind Singh Mansukhani (M.A., LL.B, Ph.D.) © 1982
Alaap
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by Gobind Singh Mansukhani (M.A., LL.B, Ph.D.) © 1982
Alaap
Indian Classical Music And Sikh Kirtan by Gobind Singh Mansukhani (M.A., LL.B, Ph.D.) © 1982 Alaap |
| Alaap It is the unfolding of the essence and the pattern of a raga with a word like AA or RE or NA and with emphasis on the notes of vadi and samvadi. The alaap is essential for the training of the voice. It is also a sort of invocation or prelude to the raga and is helpful in creating the particular rasa (feeling) and the ethos of the raga. In the alaap, the rhythm is inherent, flowing from the improvisation and yet it does not belong to any fixed rhythm with a definite sam. The singer, through the alaap displays the transcendent nature of both melody and rhythm. Sometimes, the alaap is done in parts called angas. Anga literally means a limb, that is part of the alaap. The angas would be from S to vadi, S to vadi and samvadi, S to vadi to samvadi To S, and then in the descending order. Alaap is slow in its movement and must stick to the rhythmic angas. The musician moves gradually shaping the raga according to his own talent and feeling. |