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DOWNLOAD FLYER HERE: Singing in INDIA 2010

Singing in India

2010

Next Workshop - 14 days, plus optional 3 day India orientation

14th-16th February - Cultural Orientation

February 17th - March 3rd Two Week Indian Raga Intensive

Combine singing, nourishment and sunshine to warm the heart in this unique, intimate and deeply nurturing holiday-workshop

00 44 (0) 1273 727289

Location

We will start our trip in Kolkata, West Bengal from where we will take a half hour flight to the unspoilt and lush land of Tripura, a small tribal state to the east of Bangladesh. We will sing our way round Tripura staying in a few different locations. West Bengal, with its vibrant city Kolkata, is the cultural heart of India. It is the home of Rabindranath Tagore, and is rich with the presence of countless musicians, poets, artists and writers.

Tripura is a unique and ideal location for our workshops; it is completely non-touristy, yet is stunningly beautiful with its rich wild-life, forests, hills, lakes, ancient palaces, wonderful rock carvings and stone images. The people are a mixture of Bengalis and indigenous tribal peoples and are warm-hearted, welcoming and music-loving.

Accommodation

We provide simple, yet comfortable accommodation that provides a supportive environment for the singing. Full board is included. All food will be freshly cooked and traditional, supplemented by lots of ‘cha’ (sweet tea) and snacks. 

Content and Itinerary

A typical day would be: early morning free for personal exercise/meditation or relaxation. Breakfast around 8.30am. 10am-11am – First Nature (www.firstnature.org) body and breath work. 11.15-1.15pm singing with Rajeswar, accompanied by tabla, tampura and harmonium, 1.30 lunch. After lunch: siesta/free time. 4.30 tea/snack. 5-8pm singing session, 8.30pm: supper. Sometimes, the body/breath work session will be in the afternoon. We will go on trips to villages, craft centres, temples and other areas of interest that support the singing. Apart from the afternoon siesta time, there will be a day of rest in the middle of the workshop, and at least another morning or afternoon of free time. A deep mood of singing generally develops very quickly, and usually participants want to keep singing and not take time off!

Teachers and Facilitators

Rajeswar Bhattacharya is one of the most renowned Tagore singers in the world. He who has studied with eminent classical singers and has been teaching for over 45 years. He has a unique, brilliant and playful way of helping westerners of all levels of ability to sing from the heart, using the medium of Indian raga.

Suekali is from the UK and has studied with him since 1988. She trained in western classical music plus various forms of body, breath and voice work, including First Nature. She helps mediate Rajeswar’s teaching for westerners and offers supportive body and breath work. She offers her own programme of singing workshops internationally.

A professional tabla player is available for all the classes. In addition, we employ excellent cooks and accommodation staff to ensure a comfortable and welcoming stay.

If you love and long to sing from your heart, and want a nourishing holiday in an unspoilt, exciting location, this is for you!

• Exceptional tuition, with support from world-class musicians
• Introduction to the vast world of Indian raga—a form of singing that springs from the depths of the being and can help free the voice for all forms and types of vocal expression
• Accessible to all—total beginners and professional singers
• Good local food, clean water and simple yet comfortable accommodation
• Safe and unique introduction to some of the most unspoilt, fascinating, and least touristy regions of India
• Unbelievable value for this inclusive and unique holiday workshop

BOOK SOON!

ALL WELCOME

 Fee for 14 day singing workshop: £1260

Fee for 3 day cultural orientation: £180

Early Booking Fees: Singing Workshop: £1120 if deposit (£500) received by August 14th

Cultural Orientation: £150 if deposit (£75) received by August 14th

Deposits are non-transferable/non-refundable)

Full fees are due by November 16th

Included: all tuition from Rajeswar Bhattacharya and Suekali, workshop materials, professional tabla accompaniment, full board, local travel, shared accommodation

Excluded: international flights, visa, personal travel insurance, single room supplements where available

To book: send cheque payable to ‘the singing heart’ address below. Booking form downloadable from website or available from Suekali.

Workshop Content and Teaching Approach

Indian classical raga – the foundation of all Indian music. A raga’s nearest equivalent is the scale of western music, but it is much more – it is alive and fluid. There are thousands of ragas, many of which are linked to a time or day or specific mood, and each has a unique personality that carries the singer into its own timeless tradition. The main part of each workshop will be exploring several ragas, together with their special tunes (swaramalikas) and songs.

Indian rhythm: ‘tal’ is the name for the rhythmic patterns and is a rich dynamic play of sound. The tabla player will support our learning of key aspects of the tal which reflect the rhythms of life. We will learn to speak and clap the playful sounds and begin to embody the underlying pulse of Indian music.

Songs of Rabindranath Tagore: in addition to the main focus on classical raga, we will learn some of Tagore’s 2500 songs. Many of these are based on ragas and others on folk tunes from all over the world. They focus on the spirit within nature and humans, and represent all the moods and colours of human life. We may offer a group concert to local people which is usually highly appreciated, and can be very healing for those who have previously experienced performance as a stressful, competitive event.

Singing sessions: the traditional method of transmission from Guru to student is used. The student surrenders to the teacher and just allows the repetition to work on their hearts and bodies, without trying to understand with the mind. This sounds simple, and could be easy, but most of us are very unwilling to give up our control and habits! Rajeswar usually sings short improvisational phrases that are repeated by the group, based on a particular rag, even in a group situation, he listens acutely to each individual and you are able to receive lots of very valuable and individual feedback. Once the tuning and mood has been established, he may teach the Swaramalika or a song based on the rag. In addition we will learn ‘tan’ (patterns of rapid notes) and ‘tal’ (Rhythmic cylces). Rajeswar’s approach goes beyond the traditional in that he takes a personal interest in each student right from the start, and tailors his approach to bring out the best in each student. Also, it is unheard of to be able to receive so many hours input within a couple of weeks – usually this would be given over one or two years. So this is very helpful for those of us who cannot spend two years in India! Although the mind forgets, the body doesn’t, and so the teaching continues to permeate our beings for many months afterwards.

‘First Nature’ Body/ Breath work: this is offered as an integral part of the workshop. The singing teaching is like fine wine being poured into the container of our bodies. If the container is cracked or blocked, it doesn’t matter how fine the wine is, it will be wasted! So body and breath work that helps create a spacious, relaxed and open container for the singing is really helpful. ‘First Nature’ consists of subtle, yet powerful exercises specifically designed for voice work. They work through transmission and repetition, regardless of what we might feel or not feel. This will be offered for about one hour per day.