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Vand Matharam -
Notations
Learning Carnatic Flute made easy!

By: Sriharsha Ramkumar

(Renowned Carnatic Flautist)

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Vand Matharam Lyrics

Vande Maataram
Vande Maataram

Sujalaam Sufalaam
Malayaj Sheetalaam
Sasyashyaamalaam
Maataram
Vande Maataram
Vande Maataram

Shubhra Jyotsna
Pulakita Yaaminiim
Phulla Kusumita
Drumadal Shobhiniim
Suhaasinim
Sumadhura Bhaashhinim
Sukhadaam Varadaam
Maataram

Vande Maataram
Vande Maataram

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Vand Matharam Notations

Vand Matharam is based on the Raga called Desh (From Hindustani Raga System)

Let us try to understand the Aarohanam & Avarohanam of Desh Raga to proceed
further

Aarohanam & Avarohanam of Desh Raga

Aarohanam: Sa Re(2) Ma(1) Pa Ni(3) Sa (Ascending Order Sequence)

Avarohanam: Sa Ni(2) Da(2) Pa Ma Ga(3) Re(2) Sa (Descending Order Sequence)

Please Note:

1. Higher Octave Notations: Are indicated by an Apostrophe ( ) next to the note. For Ex:
Sa (Here, the higher octave Sa should be played with more pressure)

2. Dheerga Swaras (Extended Notations): Are indicated by a Comma next to the note. Ex:
Sa, (Sa should be extended to one more note. 2 Commas means, 2 notes)

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Understanding Desh Raga Swaras/Notations on Carnatic Flute

1. Sa:

Explanation: The first 2 Holes are closed by Left hand index & middle finger (Make sure Cross
fingering Technique is maintained) and the 7th Hole will be closed with the Right Hand little
finger.

The above Picture shows how Sa is played on Carnatic Flute

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2. Re(2)

Explanation: After playing Sa, open the left Hand Middle Finger and keeping the Index finger
in the same position without changing the position. Also the right hand little finger should be
on the 7th Hole just like Sa

The above Picture shows how Re2 is played on the Carnatic Flute

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3. Ma(1)

Explanation: This Note is slightly tough. Ma is played on Flute by closing the 2nd and the 3rd
hole of the Flute by Middle and Ring finger o the left Hand, keeping the 1 st hole open. Also we
have to close 4th, 5th,6th and 7th Hole by Right hand Index, middle, Ring and Little finger
respectively as shown in the below picture. The right Hand fingers needs to come a bit forward.

The above Picture shows how Ma1 is played on the Carnatic Flute

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4. Pa

Explanation: Starting from Pa, the air has to be pushed a bit faster into the blowing hole. We
get both Lower Octave Sound & Mid Range Octave sounds for the same fingering.

Pa is played by closing the 1st 3 holes of the flute by left Hand fingers and 4th and 5th Hole by
right Hand Index and middle finger respectively. The Air has to be pushed in a bit faster.

The above Picture shows how Pa is played on the Carnatic Flute

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5. Ni(3)

Explanation: Ni is played by closing the 1st 2 holes by left hand index finger and middle finger
completely and Ring finger will half closed as shown in the below picture.

We have to pull the left hand Ring Finger half exactly for accurate results.

The above Picture shows how Ni3 is played on Carnatic Flute for

6. Sa (Higher Octave Sa)

Explanation: The Higher Octave Sa will have the same fingering as the lower octave Sa. It is
just played with more Pressure. Blow the air with more speed for accurate results just like Ni.

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7. Ni(2)

Explanation: Ni2 is played only by closing 1st 3 holes of the flute by left hand Index finger,
Middle finger and Ring finger. The air needs to be punched in with more speed for accurate
results.

The above Picture shows how Ni2 is played on the Carnatic Flute

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8. Da(2)

Explanation: For Da, open the right hand middle finger completely from the Flute as shown in
the above diagram. The air should be pushed in with a bit more speed for accurate results.

The above Picture shows how Da2 is played on the Carnatic Flute

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9. Ga(3)

Explanation: This is one of the easiest Swara that can be played on Carantic Flute. Open 1 st 3
fingers, but the flute should be still resting on the Index finger surface as shown in the below
picture. Right Hand little finger remains same as Sa and Re.

The Picture above shows how Ga3 is played on Carnatic Flute

Please Note:

The above Fingering Chart/Photographs are with respect to South Indian Carnatic
Fingering Style. Unfortunately Im not trained in Hindustani Style to help you all with 6
Holed Flute fingering chart for Desh Raga.

But, if you know some basics oh Hindustani Music/Bansuri on how to play different
Notations, the Swaras still stand same for both styles of Music.

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Vand Matharam (Song) Swaras

Sa, Re, Ma Pa Ma Pa,,, | Ma, Pa, Ni Sa Ni Sa,,, ||
To be played 2 times
Vand Maataram | Vand Maataram ||

Sa Re Ni(2), Da Pa | Pa Da Ma, Ga Re,, | Re Pa Ma Ga Re, Ga Sa,,, ||

Sujalaam... | Sufalaam... | Malayaj Sheetalaam ||

Sa, Re Ma Pa Ma Pa,,, | Pa Ni(2) Da Pa,,, | Few Tips:

Sasyashyaamalaam | Maataram... |
Make sure appropriate Dheergas are
given
Ma, Pa, Ni Sa Ni Sa,,,|
To be played 2 times Sa should be blown with more
Vand Maataram | pressure since it is Higher Octave
Start slowly and maintain a constant
Ma Pa Ni Ni | Ni Ni Sa Ni Sa, Ni Sa,,, | speed
Shubhrajyotsna | Pulakit Yaaminiim | Make sure Ni2 and N3 are played
correctly
If there is no number next to Ni, it is
Ni, Ni Ni Sa Ni Sa | Ni Sa Re Sa Ni(2) Da Ni(2) Da Pa,,, |
by default Ni3
Phulla Kusumita | Drumadal Shobhiniim |
Ni2 will have a number 2 next to Ni
The Ni tapping should be done by
Re Ma, Ga Re,, | Re Ni(2) Da Ni(2) Da Pa Da Ma Pa,,,| using right hand Index finger when
Suhaasinim... | Sumadhura Bhaashhinim... | playing the Janti (Ni Ni)
Always remember the song in your
mind during your entire learning
Ma Pa Ni, Ni Ni Ni, | Ni Sa Ni Sa, |
process
Sukhadaam Varadaam | Maataram.. |
Learning becomes more effective and
easy
Ma, Pa, Ni Sa Ni Sa,,, | Ma, Pa, Ni Sa Ni Sa,,, ||
Vand Maataram | Vand Maataram ||

Please note:

1. I do not claim my tutorial to be the perfect/best/ideal version. I am sure there will be different
versions/opinions. I am just trying to share whatever I have learnt in the past in simplest possible
way. Thanks for your understanding

2. This will be the simplest version without any Gamakas/Anuswaras. I have made it simple and it is
targeted for beginners and not for advanced/Intermediates

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Thank You!
Thank you very much for requesting the notations of Vande Matharam.

Do let me know if you enjoyed learning our National Song Vande Matharam through my Tutorial Video
by writing an email to info@onlinefluteclasses.in

I would love to hear your version of Vande Matharam after learning from my video. Send me your
videos to sriharsha@onlinefluteclasses.in ; I would feature the best of the entries on my Facebook page.

All the Best,

Sriharsha Ramkumar
Web: www.onlinefluteclasses.in
Email: sriharsha@onlinefluteclasses.in

Facebook: fb.com/SriharshaRamkumarOfficial

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