Register Now
Register Now

🪘 1st Year Dholak Syllabus – Prayag Sangeet Samiti

✅ PRACTICAL (60 Marks)

1. Thekas (basic rhythms):

  • Keharwa (8 Matras) – in different variations

  • Dadra (6 Matras)

  • Chau Taal (12 Matras – light folk usage)

  • Deepchandi or Bhajan Theka (14 Matras)

  • To be played in single, double (dugun) speed with proper hand position and tone clarity

2. Practical Compositions / Patterns:

  • Simple Tukra-type endings in Keharwa and Dadra

  • 2 variations each for Keharwa and Dadra

  • One simple Laggi in Dadra or Keharwa

  • Introductory Fill-ins for Bhajan or Lokgeet

3. Accompaniment:

  • Basic Bhajan or Lokgeet accompaniment using Keharwa/Dadra

  • Keeping laya while playing with vocals

4. Oral Recitation (Padhant):

  • Verbal recitation of basic Thekas with Tali–Khali and Bols

📚 THEORY (40 Marks)

1. Definitions:

  • Dholak

  • Taal

  • Laya

  • Theka

  • Sam

  • Tali

  • Khali

  • Dugun

2. Parts of the Instrument:

  • Description of Dholak parts:

  • Bayan (bass side), Dayan (treble side)

  • Tuning system: nuts/bolts or rope

  • Syahi or paste (if used), skin types

3. Basic Knowledge:

  • How to tune the Dholak

  • Sitting posture and hand placement

  • Difference between Tabla and Dholak in sound and style

4. Notation Writing:

  • Write Theka for:

  • Keharwa

  • Dadra

  • Bhajan ThekaWrite

🪘 2nd Year Dholak Syllabus – Prayag Sangeet Samiti

✅ PRACTICAL EXAMINATION – 60 Marks

1. Thekas (with variations):

  • Play the following in single (ekgun) and double (dugun) speed:

  • Keharwa Taal – 3 variations

  • Dadra Taal – 3 variations

  • Deepchandi / Bhajan Taal – 2 variations

  • Chautaal / Folk Rhythm – 2 variations

2. Laggi and Tukda:

  • 1 Laggi each in Keharwa and Dadra

  • 2 simple Tukras (concluding phrases) in any one taal

  • Simple fill-ins for light music or bhajan transitions

3. Accompaniment:

  • Demonstrate live-style accompaniment for:

  • Bhajan

  • Lokgeet

  • Light song / film song

  • Ability to match tempo, sync with melody, and maintain laya is essential.

4. Padhant (Recitation):

  • Recite thekas and tukras with Tali-Khali, clear bols, and Layakari (dugun) understanding

📚 THEORY EXAMINATION – 40 Marks

1. Definitions:

  • Laggi

  • Tukda

  • Bhajan

  • Lokgeet

  • Laya (Vilambit, Madhya, Drut)

  • Avartan

  • Taal and Theka

2. Instrument Knowledge:

  • Structure of Dholak – Dayan/Bayan

  • Tuning methods (bolt and rope)

  • Sound variation by hand position

  • Comparison of Dholak with Tabla and Naal

3. Notation Writing:

  • Write thekas (in bols) for:

  • Keharwa (with one variation)

  • Dadra (with one variation)

  • Deepchandi or Bhajan Theka

  • One Laggi and one Tukda

🪘 3rd Year Dholak Syllabus – Prayag Sangeet Samiti

✅ PRACTICAL EXAMINATION – 60 Marks

1. Thekas & Variations:

  • Play the following Taals in single (ekgun), double (dugun), and triple (tigun) layas:

  • Keharwa (8 Matras) — 3 variations

  • Dadra (6 Matras) — 3 variations

  • Deepchandi / Bhajan Theka — 3 variations

  • Chautaal / Folk Taal — 2 variations

  • Keherwa or Dadra Laggi — 2 types

2. Compositions:

  • 2 Laggi in different taals

  • 2 Tukras (ending patterns)

  • Simple Mukhda (introductory phrases)

  • Fill-ins and transitions suitable for bhajan or light music

3. Accompaniment:

  • Effective accompaniment of:

  • Bhajan

  • Lokgeet (folk songs)

  • Light Classical or semi-classical songs

  • Emphasis on maintaining steady laya, adapting tempo, and blending with melody

4. Padhant (Recitation):

  • Clear and correct verbal recitation of Thekas, Laggi, Tukra, and Mukhda with proper Tali-Khali hand gestures

📚 THEORY EXAMINATION – 40 Marks

1. Definitions & Concepts:

  • Laggi

  • Tukra

  • Mukhda

  • Layakari (Dugun, Tigun, Chaugun)

  • Avartan, Matra, Vibhag

  • Sam, Tali, Khali

2. Instrument Knowledge:

  • Detailed knowledge of the parts of the Dholak

  • Tuning techniques

  • Material of skin and shell

  • Maintenance and care

3. Notation Writing:

  • Notate Thekas, Laggi, Tukras, and Mukhda for:

  • Keharwa

  • Dadra

  • Bhajan Theka

  • Folk Theka

4. Brief History & Maestros:

  • Introduction to prominent folk percussionists or Dholak players (if any)

  • Role of Dholak in various music styles (folk, light classical, bhajan)

🪘 4th Year Dholak Syllabus – Prayag Sangeet Samiti

✅ PRACTICAL EXAMINATION – 60 Marks

1. Thekas & Variations:

  • Play the following taals in ekgun, dugun, tigun, and if possible, chaugun:

  • Keharwa (8 Matras) — 4 variations

  • Dadra (6 Matras) — 4 variations

  • Deepchandi / Bhajan Theka — 3 variations

  • Chautaal / Folk Taal — 3 variations

2. Compositions:

  • 3 Laggi in different taals and layas

  • 2 Tukras with Tihaai

  • 1 Mukhda

  • 1 Chakradar or Chakradaar (repeated compositions ending on Sam)

  • Fill-ins and transitional phrases for semi-classical accompaniment

3. Accompaniment:

  • Demonstrate accompaniment skills with:

  • Semi-classical vocal music

  • Bhajan

  • Folk songs

  • Emphasis on flexibility, tempo changes, and synchronization with vocalist/instrumentalist

4. Padhant (Recitation):

  • Verbal recitation of Thekas, Laggi, Tukra, Mukhda, and Chakradar with correct hand gestures and layakari

📚 THEORY EXAMINATION – 40 Marks

1. Definitions & Concepts:

  • Laggi, Tukra, Mukhda, Chakradar

  • Layakari: Dugun, Tigun, Chaugun, Aad, Kuad

  • Avartan, Vibhag, Sam, Tali, Khali

2. Instrument Knowledge:

  • Detailed study of Dholak construction and tuning

  • Material characteristics

  • Maintenance and repair

3. Notation Writing:

  • Notations for Thekas, Laggi, Tukra, Mukhda, Chakradar in:

  • Keharwa

  • Dadra

  • Bhajan Theka

  • Folk taals

4. History & Maestros:

  • Study of prominent Dholak players and their contributions (folk and light classical)

  • Role of Dholak in regional and classical music traditions

🪘 5th Year Dholak Syllabus – Prayag Sangeet Samiti

✅ PRACTICAL EXAMINATION – 60 Marks

1. Thekas & Variations:

  • Play the following in ekgun, dugun, tigun, chaugun, and advanced layakari (aad, kuad, biyad):

  • Keharwa (8 Matras) — 4-5 variations

  • Dadra (6 Matras) — 4-5 variations

  • Deepchandi / Bhajan Theka — 3-4 variations

  • Chautaal / Folk Taals — 3-4 variations

2. Compositions:

  • 3 Laggi in various taals with Tihaai

  • 3 Tukras with Tihaai and layakari

  • 1 Mukhda

  • 1 Chakradar (repeated phrases ending on Sam)

  • Advanced fill-ins and transitions for semi-classical and folk music

3. Accompaniment:

  • Professional level accompaniment of:

  • Semi-classical vocal music

  • Bhajan and devotional music

  • Folk and light classical compositions

  • Ability to adapt tempo changes and moods as per the singer or ensemble

4. Padhant (Recitation):

  • Precise recitation of all compositions with hand gestures

  • Demonstration of complex layakari and tihaai patterns

📚 THEORY EXAMINATION – 40 Marks

1. Definitions & Concepts:

  • Advanced Laggi, Tukra, Mukhda, Chakradar

  • Layakari in multiple speeds: Dugun, Tigun, Chaugun, Aad, Kuad, Biyad

  • Tihaai and its variations

  • Sam, Tali, Khali, Avartan, Vibhag

2. Instrument Knowledge:

  • Detailed study of construction and tuning of Dholak

  • Sound production and tonal variations

  • Maintenance and repair techniques

3. Notation Writing:

  • Notations for advanced Thekas, Laggis, Tukras, Mukhda, and Chakradar in:

  • Keharwa

  • Dadra

  • Bhajan Theka

  • Folk Taals

4. History & Maestros:

  • Study of renowned Dholak players and their contributions to folk and classical music traditions

🪘 6th Year Dholak Syllabus – Prayag Sangeet Samiti

(Visharad Pratham / Senior Diploma – Part 1)

✅ PRACTICAL EXAMINATION – 60 Marks

1. Thekas & Variations:

  • Perform the following taals with ekgun, dugun, tigun, chaugun, and creative improvisations:

  • Keharwa (8 Matras) – 5+ variations

  • Dadra (6 Matras) – 5+ variations

  • Deepchandi (14 Matras) – 4 variations

  • Chautaal or other Folk Taals – 4 variations

  • Jhaptal / Addha (used in semi-classical or folk forms) – basic + 2 variations

2. Compositions:

  • Minimum 3 Laggi with tihaai

  • 3 Tukras with tihaai and upaj (improvised ends)

  • 1 Mukhda

  • 1 Chakradar Tukra

  • 1 Paran-type composition (folk-style powerful composition)

  • Advanced Fill-ins – matching laya & improvisation with vocals

3. Accompaniment:

  • Demonstrate dynamic accompaniment for:

  • Bhajan (with tempo changes)

  • Folk Song (desi taals and light improvisation)

  • Semi-classical forms like Thumri, Kajri, Chaiti, Dadra

  • Ability to support expression, tempo variation, and balance is evaluated.

4. Padhant (Recitation):

  • Clear, rhythmic recitation of Thekas, Laggis, Tukras, Chakradar, and Tihaais with correct hand gestures and taal counts

📚 THEORY EXAMINATION – 40 Marks

1. Detailed Definitions & Concepts:

  • Layakari: Dugun, Tigun, Chaugun, Aad, Kuad, Biyad

  • Tihaai and its calculation

  • Vibhag, Avartan, Sam, Tali, Khali

  • Mukhda, Tukra, Chakradar, Laggi

2. Notation Writing:

  • Notation (in bols) of:

  • 2 Thekas with variations

  • 2 Laggis

  • 2 Tukras

  • 1 Chakradar

  • Any one Tihaai

3. Instrument Knowledge:

  • Construction and working of Dholak

  • Skin selection, tuning techniques (bolt & rope)

  • Techniques to enhance tonal quality

  • Maintenance practices

4. Historical and Musicological Aspects:

  • Brief history of Dholak as a folk and light classical instrument

  • Role of Dholak in different music genres (Bhajan, Lokgeet, Nautanki, Film, Semi-Classical)

  • Study of eminent Dholak maestros and their contributions