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Ramhari Das
Odissi Gurukula Trust

Odissi Mardal

Odissi Mardal

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Odissi Classical Mardal Class

Training Under the Supervision of :

Guru Dhaneswar Swain :-
    1. Recipient of State and Central Sangeet Natak Akademi Awards.
    2. Former lecturer (25 years) of Odissi Mardal at Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalaya.
    3. Renowned teacher, singer, researcher, author, and composer.
  1.  
Shri Soumya Ranjan Nayak :-
      1. Recipient of National Senior Scholarship under Ministry of Culture, Govt of India.
      2. Solo Odissi Mardal Player.
      3. Young teacher, singer, Composer and researcher.  

Course Content

Introduction to Odissi Mardal :-

  • History and significance of Mardal in Odissi music
  • Identification of parts of the Mardal (Daya, Baya, skin, straps, tuning)
  • Sitting posture and hand positioning
  • Basic bols or Baanis (vocal mnemonics): Ta, Ka, Dhi, Thing, Na, Kita etc.
  • Practice of Aaditaala, Eka Tali and Khema Tali (16-beat, 4-beat and 7-beat cycles) and others .
  • Exercises in maintaining laya (tempo): Vilambit (slow), Madhya (medium), Druta (fast)

Solo and Accompaniment Basics :-

  • Application of learned talas in: 
  1. Learn step by step composition and solo playing with Lehera.
  2. Different Odissi Prabandha (Odissi, Chhanda, Champu, Bhajan etc.)
  • Emphasis on timing, pauses, and coordination with Singer or dancer
  • Recitation of tala and boli orally before playing

Teaching Methods :-

  • Demonstration followed by student imitation
  • Call and response (teacher plays and student repeats)
  • Clapping exercises to internalize rhythm
  • Use of metronome or manjira for laya control
  • Video/audio references for classical compositions

Materials Required :-

  • Mardal instrument (well-tuned)
  • Notebook for bols and tala writing
  • Audio recorder or mobile for practice reference

Evaluation & Assessment :-

  • Monthly oral and practical tests
  • Tala recitation in rhythm
  • Performance in group practice or internal events
  • Confidence in accompanying
  • Annual Examination

Extension & Activities :-

  • Participation in Odissi Mardal seminar and workshops.
  • Participation in State, national and international programme.

“Odissi Music Gurukul was established on 23rd july 2011 at Badahat adjacent to NH 316 at Biragobindpur under Satyabadi block in Puri District, 14 km away from Lord Jagannath Tample,Puri & 45 Km away from Bhubaneswar the capital city of Odisha.”

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