A pakhawaj player in a white kurta sits on a patterned rug with the barrel drum resting on a cushion, hands on both heads, a notebook on a low table behind
Intermediate Level — Pakhawaj
Intermediate Levels 2A–2C

Pakhawaj · Pakhawaj

Intermediate Pakhawaj

Intermediate pakhawaj, prepared by KalaSudha: four thekas, relas and paltas, chakradar and stuti parans, 3:2 layakari and Dhrupad and Dhamar accompaniment.

  • 3 modules
  • 36 topics
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What you'll master

Skills you will carry forward

  • Recite and play four thekas and explain the Dhrupad and Dhamar contexts with examples.
  • Play two relas with four paltas each, with audible bols and relaxed coordination.
  • Calculate a simple chakradar and play three tihais from different starting matras.
  • Recite, notate and play a 3:2 excerpt with its counted return to sam.
  • Accompany five continuous minutes each of Dhrupad and Dhamar with live partners.

About this course

Intermediate pakhawaj develops forms, layakari and two-role performance once you can play a six-minute solo and accompany a Dhrupad partner. You enter after Foundation or a placement against its outcomes. It is the second level of the pakhawaj course prepared by KalaSudha.

Module 2A adds two cycles, the suggested Tevra and Dhamar, and the forms they accompany. You learn two relas with four paltas each, two uthans and six parans across two developed solo cycles, and tigun and chaugun against a steady base pulse. You also recognise reference swaras in two accompaniment ragas.

Module 2B covers a simple chakradar, a stuti paran, three tihai designs, dedh layakari, a 3:2 relationship, and Bhatkhande and Paluskar notation. Module 2C prepares accompaniment: five minutes each of Dhrupad and Dhamar with live partners, comparison of schools and sources, instrument care and a fifteen-minute solo.

Each module has nine electives, including one for each stream. In a cohort, you hear how other learners follow the same Dhrupad and Dhamar partner, and the guided rehearsal becomes a performance for the group. The level leads to a KalaSudha award (see certificates). Ask about Intermediate in the Academy.

Your learning journey

The three Intermediate modules

Intermediate adds cycles and forms, then layakari and notation, then two-role performance. The last module closes with live Dhrupad and Dhamar accompaniment and a fifteen-minute solo.

  • Module 2A: rela and broader tala repertoire

    Tune without step-by-step prompts and agree a corrective practice plan. Add the suggested Tevra and Dhamar, learn two relas with four paltas each, two uthans and six parans, keep tigun and chaugun steady and recognise swaras in two ragas.

  • Module 2B: chakradar, layakari and notation

    Review your memorised works, learn a simple chakradar and a stuti paran and compare damdar and bedam tihais. Demonstrate a 3:2 relationship, compare Bhatkhande and Paluskar notation and develop a phrase through controlled variation.

  • Module 2C: Dhrupad, Dhamar and the integrated solo

    Audit your portfolio, recognise two ragas and transcribe a short passage. Compare schools and sources, accompany Dhrupad and Dhamar live, explain instrument care and resonance, and present a fifteen-minute solo.

Your learning journey

Curriculum

36 topics

Antara 2A · Rela and Broader Tala Repertoire

17 available topics; 12 on your path.

Core topics Every learner takes these 8

  1. Topic 01

    Placement, Tuning and Practice Design

    Review Foundation evidence and agree a measurable corrective practice plan.

    Ready to move on when: Tune without step-by-step prompting, explain bass preparation and show seven days of measured improvement.

  2. Topic 02

    Four Cycles and Their Contexts

    Add two cycles and distinguish the forms they accompany.

    Ready to move on when: Recite and play all four proposed thekas; explain Dhrupad and Dhamar contexts with examples.

  3. Topic 03

    Rela and Palta Development

    Learn two relas with four paltas each at an agreed working pulse.

    Ready to move on when: Recite and play both relas and all paltas with audible bols and relaxed coordination.

  4. Topic 04

    Two Uthans and Six Parans

    Extend composition memory across two developed solo cycles.

    Ready to move on when: Present two uthans and six cumulative parans, including material in both developed cycles.

  5. Topic 05

    Tigun and Chaugun

    Maintain a base pulse while changing the density of a supplied phrase.

    Ready to move on when: Recite and play two cycles each in tigun and chaugun without moving the base pulse.

  6. Topic 06

    Reference Swaras in Two Ragas

    Recognise reference notes and melodic movement in two accompaniment ragas.

    Ready to move on when: Identify Sa, Ma, Pa and upper Sa in reference audio and recognise characteristic and altered phrases in both ragas.

  7. Topic 07

    Guided Rela and Cycle Review

    Compare recordings at two working speeds and correct one physical habit.

    Ready to move on when: Retain the corrected movement and bol clarity in both relas and document the evidence.

  8. Topic 08

    Module 2A Presentation

    Present expanded thekas, repertoire and melodic listening evidence.

    Ready to move on when: Meet C2-C6 criteria and explain why tempo alone cannot establish technical readiness.

Electives Your teacher fills 4 open slots from these electives, their own topics or both.

  • Elective

    Extra Rela Palta

    Practise extra rela palta through a bounded teacher-approved assignment.

    Ready to move on when: Develop two further paltas without losing the parent phrase.

  • Elective

    Tuning Clinic

    Practise tuning clinic through a bounded teacher-approved assignment.

    Ready to move on when: Correct three deliberately altered tuning examples with teacher supervision.

  • Elective

    Padhant Recall

    Practise padhant recall through a bounded teacher-approved assignment.

    Ready to move on when: Repeat and play four eight-matra phrases after one hearing.

  • Elective

    Notation and Structure

    Practise notation and structure through a bounded teacher-approved assignment.

    Ready to move on when: Annotate the divisions, rests and returns of a supplied paran.

  • Elective

    Nana Panse Sound and Bol Entry

    Develop the supplied study using practitioner-approved material and documented teaching provenance.

    Ready to move on when: Reproduce four practitioner-supplied phrases with the assigned sound and bol treatment.

  • Elective

    Nathdwara Sound and Bol Entry

    Develop the supplied study using practitioner-approved material and documented teaching provenance.

    Ready to move on when: Reproduce four practitioner-supplied phrases with the assigned sound and bol treatment.

  • Elective

    Kudau Singh Sound and Bol Entry

    Develop the supplied study using practitioner-approved material and documented teaching provenance.

    Ready to move on when: Reproduce four practitioner-supplied phrases with the assigned sound and bol treatment.

  • Elective

    Awadh/Ayodhya Supplied Bol Study

    Study an attributed practitioner-supplied excerpt without assuming an independent gharana classification.

    Ready to move on when: Reproduce a practitioner-supplied study and document its exact teaching source.

  • Elective

    Banaras: Amarnath Mishra-Shrikant Mishra-Aditya Dip Supplied Bol Study

    Study an attributed practitioner-supplied excerpt without assuming an independent gharana classification.

    Ready to move on when: Reproduce a practitioner-supplied study and document its exact teaching source.

Intermediate pathway

How this level progresses

3 structured modules, taken in order.

Modules are taken in sequence

  1. Level 2A

    Antara 2A · Rela and Broader Tala Repertoire

    Topics
    12 topics
    Activities
    85 activities

  2. Level 2B

    Antara 2B · Chakradar, Layakari and Notation

    Topics
    12 topics
    Activities
    85 activities

  3. Level 2C

    Antara 2C · Dhrupad, Dhamar and the Integrated Solo

    Topics
    12 topics
    Activities
    85 activities

Inside Intermediate

  • Dhrupad and Dhamar partners

    Follow a singer's phrasing, balance and entry cues in Dhrupad, then adjust theka and variation to a taught Dhamar composition.

  • Relas and new cycles

    Add the suggested Tevra and Dhamar, and learn two relas with four paltas each at an agreed working pulse.

  • Choose a stream

    Take electives in one stream after Foundation, with attributed material your teacher supplies and documents.

Before you begin

  • Complete Foundation pakhawaj or show its outcomes in a placement with your teacher.
  • Be able to play Chautal and Sultal thekas, three parans and a six-minute solo.

Frequently asked questions

How do I learn to accompany dhrupad singing on the pakhawaj?

Dhrupad accompaniment on the pakhawaj starts at Foundation, where you hold theka under a partner for three minutes and answer their cues. Intermediate develops it in module 2C: you follow the singer's phrasing, balance and entry cues without imposing a solo sequence.

You accompany five continuous minutes with a live partner, including a changed cue and recovery.

Can I learn the pakhawaj to play for kirtan or haveli sangeet?

The KalaSudha pakhawaj course centres on Dhrupad and Dhamar, with devotional accompaniment as an option. A Foundation elective introduces accompaniment of a devotional excerpt your teacher approves.

Nathdwara is one of the optional streams from Intermediate. Ask your teacher about devotional repertoire when you choose your electives.

What should I be able to play before Intermediate pakhawaj?

Intermediate pakhawaj starts after Foundation or a placement against its outcomes. You should play the Chautal and Sultal thekas, an uthan, three parans and a simple tihai with clear bols.

You also need a six-minute solo, three minutes of Dhrupad accompaniment and four live cue exchanges.

How is the Intermediate level of the pakhawaj course assessed?

The Intermediate level of the pakhawaj course ends with fifteen continuous solo minutes and five minutes each of Dhrupad and Dhamar accompaniment with live partners. Four of the exchanges change a cue, and you show your recovery.

Your portfolio counts too, with written or dictated explanations. Each study is continuous, with both hands visible and the partner audible.

Have more questions? Contact our support team and we'll be happy to help!

Next steps

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Begin Intermediate Level.

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