Sita Rama Kalyana Mahotsavam – Birmingham

Sita Kalyana Mahotsavam 2019

Grand musical event

Experience joy through enchanting Bhajan, music and spiritual discourses

Account name – Sampradaya Bhajanai . Sort Code – 20-84-13, Account number – 13079694

Carnatic Music & Tabla Classes – New batches

With the start of the Autumn term, we have new batches starting in Indian classical Carnatic Music vocals as well as Tabla Classes.

Indian classical vocal classes are run by Preetha Gopal for beginners/intermediate or Advanced levels and caters for Adults and Children of all ages. The teaching is based on the age old tradition of learning the Swaravalis and gradually build up to Alankarams, Gitam & Varnams. Here are some testimonials

Tabla Lessons – Percussion lessons in Tabla are held as group lessons by Santhana Gopal and are conducted for children and adults on Sunday evenings. Lessons usually delve into the theory & practical aspects such as Kaydas/Paltas and gradually progressing into taals, Moharas, Mukhdas and Relas.

All lessons include theory and the necessary preparation for Grade exams conducted by the OFAAL/PRSSV/Open University.

Bhajans/Krithis Birmingham Balaji Temple 21st Oct 2017

Carnatic-Circle’s Midlands based “Sampradaya” Bhajan group and “Mantrasara” came together to put together a traditional & impressive performance at the Tividale Balaji temple community hall on Saturday, the 21st Oct 2017 (5pm- 7.15pm).

The event was graced by the presence of Tabla Pandit Sandip Banerjee (From Kolkata) and Chief guest – Dr Kanakaratnam (Chairman of Trustees at the Balaji Temple) who graced the occasion with their presence and support.

The Balaji temple has been ever supportive of our Carnatic based Devotional singing & Bhakthi initiatives and we are very grateful to them and their volunteers who made this event successful in every sphere. Such a unique choir consisting of Adults & Children does not exist in the entire country and it is with utmost pride that we present our Bhajans/Krithis and ensure that we uplift everyone that participate in our community gatherings.

This performance was well received by the audience who came from across the midlands to see us perform. One of the feedbacks that we received from few of the experienced elders was that, we have implemented a traditional system in the same lines as it is done in South India. Below were the songs that were sung as a part of our repertoire at the temple Continue reading “Bhajans/Krithis Birmingham Balaji Temple 21st Oct 2017”

AIKYA – Annual Music & Dance showcase

Carnatic-circle.com and Aabheri Nritya Vidyala come together to present AIKYA – a grand ensemble of Indian classical Bharatanatyam dance and music

AIKYA – Our annual Music & Dance showcase event on 8th October 2017 (4-8 pm) will be one of Birmingham’s biggest event in 2017 for portraying Indian culture & tradition with local upcoming talent in its pristine form. All performances will be delivered by our group of students who come from varying ages, linguistics & background. We all have come forward to perform with utmost fervour.

Tickets can be bought from http://tickets.ruddockpac.co.uk/Sales/events/ruddock-hall/aikya/ticket. This will be an agglomeration of Indian classical Carnatic Music which will be followed by a Tabla Ensemble & Bharatanatyam dance in a concert environment on a professional stage in a hall with renowned acoustics. The Chief Guests will be the Queen’s representative for West midlands – Deputy Lieutenant Gurpreet Bhatia. Guests of Honour are Head of Chancellor from the Indian Consulate Shri S.M. Chakraborty, District Judge Asokan from the Judicial appointments Commission and Sri Harmohinder Bhatia (Upasak Ji) from Sant Nirankari Mission.

All performances will be delivered by our group of students who come from varying ages, linguistics & background. The Vocal music will be accompanied by instruments such as the Sitar, Veenas, Flute, Violins, Guitar & Tabla. Any musicians who are interested to perform are welcome to apply for an Audition. Bharatanatyam performances will be performed with live vocals and music. Carnatic vocal renditions following age old traditions will be sung.

Mark your diaries – 8th October! All are welcome!

Devotional Chant/Singing

Sampradaya & Mantrasara run by Carnatic-Circle.com are 2 groups that run free Bhajan workshops every week in Birmingham & Solihull, UK. For those interested in weekly Shloka/ Vedas/Stothram recitation in Birmingham, please get in touch. We also perform devotional singing of a large repertoire of Bhajans and Abhangs. These workshops are primarily geared to adults which can read Lyrics independently. If you are interested to participate or simply want to listen to our weekly performances, please call in.

We are always looking for any music instrumentalists that want to add colour to the sessions.

All these efforts are mainly to preserve our heritage and is done on a group basis free of cost.

Thyagaraja Aradhanai 2017

Solihull Carnatic music Circle will be singing for the Birmingham Thyagaraja Aradhanai 2017. It is scheduled for the 11/12th of March 2017. Please join and be part of it.

The original Thyagaraja Aradhanai is an annual event celebrated on the banks of River Cauvery in Tiruvaiyaru (near Tanjavur) in India. Musicians sit by the samadhi of the Saint and render Pancharatna krithis in chorus in honour of the saint. This spirit of music has spread worldwide. Here is a list of Krithis or Bhajans that we practice.

Mohanam & Shudha Saveri Ragams

We have discussed about quite a few Ragams before in our class. But, in this context we will discuss the relationship and difference between Shuddha Saveri and Mohanam.

Both are Audava ragams or Pentatonic in nature – meaning, this raga has 5 notes. In Carnatic music, Ragas are classified as Melakarta Ragas and Janya (Subset or Derived) Ragas. As you are all aware, there are 72 Melakartas Ragas which are all Sampoorna (all 7 notes) ragams. Shuddha Saveri and Mohanam are both Janya Ragams and they are both derived from their respective Melakartas. (Use the link to find the 28th & 29th Melakarta before reading forward). Continue reading “Mohanam & Shudha Saveri Ragams”

Shloka & Stothram classes

For those interested in weekly Shloka/ Vedas/Stothram recitation, please get in touch. All these efforts are mainly to preserve our heritage and is done on a group basis free of cost.

We have a group that meets every Tuesday evening either in Person or Via Skype. A sample of the recitations are below

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Carnatic vocal exam preparations

Dear Parents,

Following are the Carnatic music vocal exam preparation targets for all participants depending on which class you are attending during the week. Continue reading “Carnatic vocal exam preparations”

Carnatic/Tabla Lessons Solihull/Birmingham

Carnatic music predominantly originates from South India, but has an universal appeal across all sections, language being no barrier. What is Carnatic Music and how is it different from Hindusthani Music?

Carnatic Vocal – Group lessons are run by Preetha Gopal throughout the week for all levels and caters for Adults and Children. The teaching is based on the age old tradition of learning the Swaravalis and gradually build up to Alankarams, Gitam & Varnams. We maintain a comprehensive Youtube and Facebook channel.

A student will start with learning

Sarali Varisai (Videos Available)
Janta Varisai – next level (Videos available)
Dhatu Varisai, Mel Sthayi Varisai, Mandhra Sthayi Varisai (Videos Available)
Alankarams, Geethams and Swarajathis
Varnams & Keerthanais

Inorder to maintain some variety, some Bhajans, Abhangs or Shlokas will be added as the classes progress. We run an average of 9 events in a year where students can perform. Students will be comprehensively prepared towards music exams and earn grades. Lessons are also provided via Skype or any other online mediums.

Tabla – Percussion lessons in Tabla are held as group lessons and are conducted for children and adults. Lessons usually delve into the theory & practical aspects such as Kaydas/Paltas and gradually progressing into taals, Moharas, Mukhdas and Relas. Lessons include theory and the necessary preparation for Grade exams.