Discipline your life with riyaz - Part 2

Follow it up with mandra saptak Another morning riyaz is mandra saptak, which is an assortment of the sargams While, shadaj helps in improving concentration, with mandra Saptak one is able to calm one’s mind. The riyazof mandra saptak—which means the lower octave—is done on a deep and almost meditative musical scale.

A singer needs patience to practice mandra saptakand cannot be in a hurry. As there isn’t any fixed rule or particular order of sargam to be followed for this riyaz, singer can greatly improvise and follow his own pattern of sargam. Here the singer is not just required to emphasise on the right note or swar, but also needs to remember the different sargam patterns. This helps in improving coordination between the mind and vocal cords as well.

End it with musical naad. While any sound is considered to be naad, there are two types of naads– musical and non-musical naad. The sound that pleases or touches our soul is considered as musical naad.

With practice or riyaz, we are able to discern between the musical and non-musical naad as well. And, in a similar manner, we are able to sieve through unnecessary noises in their lives too. We are always being told how to live, and what to do. Those are the  noises that we need to recognise, and daily riyaz may help in identifying such naads, and making our lives more meaningful.

Children especially face issues with lack of concentration these days. They are left with watching cartoons the entire day. If children are taught to do ‘swar lagana’ as a part of morning riyaz, it is scientifically proven that they would find improvement in their concentration, which will also lead to discipline in their lives from a very tender age.

Along with initiating discipline and concentration in our lives, there are also several physical benefits of doing riyaz, as it entails lungs and breathing exercises.

Every gharana has similar riyaz patterns, as practicing swaris a common phenomenon. The outcome of the activity is the same as well. People usually do riyaz based on their own saiyli or style. Some prefer khayalor dhrupad, while some may stick with bhairav raag in the morning. However, the structure remains the same.

Usually, one has to start their day very early for riyaz. Singers religiously practice riyaz for about 2–4 hours at a strech. Not only that ensures a fresh start on a soulful note, but you also gain many hours during the day.

No wonder, music is considered as finest of fine arts!

About the author:
Dr. Shampa Choudhury is the assistant
professor of vocal music, with the
Department of Music, VLMG PG
College, University of Meerut.