VarisaiSarali VarisaiSarali Varisai 5
IntermediateSarali Varisai #5

Sarali Varisai 5

Dheergam on P and M

Raga Details
RagaMayamalavagowla#15
Aro: S R1 G3 M1 P D1 N3 S
Ava: S N3 D1 P M1 G3 R1 S
Adi Tala(8 beats)
Focus

Dheergam (elongated notes) on P and M

Introduces 'dheergam' — a two-beat elongation of a note. The pattern is 1234 56-12 (where '-' is a karvai). P in the ascent and M in the descent are held for two beats. This creates a characteristic 'pause and breathe' quality. The laya pattern is more complex, requiring the student to navigate between the karvai and the continuing scale.

Notation — Adi Tala

The comma (,) represents a karvai — hold P for 2 beats in the ascent, M for 2 beats in the descent.

Laya pattern:1 2 3 4 | 5 6- | 1 2 and 1 2 3 4 | 5 6 7 8
Line12345678
Aarohanam
srgm
p
sr
Aarohanam (cont.)
srgm
pd
nS
Avarohanam
Sndp
m
Sn
Avarohanam (cont.)
Sndp
mg
rs
Notation String (1st Kala)
S R2 G3 M1 P , S R2 | S R2 G3 M1 P D2 N3 S' | S' N3 D2 P M1 , S' N3 | S' N3 D2 P M1 G3 R2 S
Audio Playback
Notation Legend
S R G M P D NMadhya Sthayi (middle octave)
S′ R′ G′ M′ P′ D′ N′Tara Sthayi (upper octave) — uppercase + prime
.s .r .g .m .p .d .nMandra Sthayi (lower octave) — dot + lowercase
Karvai (hold/sustain the previous note)
|Beat separator (akshara boundary)
||End of avartanam (tala cycle)
Practice Session

Follow these steps for a complete 25-minute practice session.

1
Karvai on P and M3 min

Hold P and M1 for 15 seconds each.

2
1st Speed with dheergam5 min

Sing with the 2-beat karvai on P and M.

3
2nd Speed5 min

Double speed.

4
3rd Speed5 min

Full speed.

5
Akaaram5 min

Sing with 'aa'.

Karvai on P and M
0:00 / 3 min
Practice Tips
  • The comma (,) = dheergam — hold the note for 2 beats total.
  • After the dheergam on P, the phrase 'S R' feels like a 'restart' — keep the rhythm.
  • This pattern is common in Varnam compositions — learning it here prepares you for advanced pieces.
  • The dheergam on M in the descent creates a beautiful 'settling' quality.
Common Mistakes
  • Treating the dheergam as a rest — it is a held, tuned note.
  • Rushing after the dheergam — the 'S R' after the P karvai should be calm.
  • Losing the tala count during the dheergam.