Janta Varisai for Beginners : Building a strong base in carnatic music

Let us start: What is Janta Varisai?

Janta varisai (Janta Swaralu in Telugu) is the second exercise after Sarali Varisai, Janta varisai means pairs or twin and is also sometimes referred to as Jantai Varisai or Jhanta Varisai is a logical extension of Sarali varisai. The notes that are sung once in Sarali Varisai are repeated twice. So you will find the notes in Janta Varisai occurs in pairs. This exercise is practised in Mayamalagowla Ragam and Adi Talam.

Jantai Varisai is a kind of alankaram, which beautifies the way swaras is delivered while singing. This varisai adds extra complexity and decorative detail to a raga in carnatic music and can be used for both vocal and instrumental music. 

Importance of Janta Varisai

Following are the reasons what makes this exercise important:

• Development of musical skills and also aids in memory retention.
• Improves concentration levels and listening skills.
• Establishes the tonic note or starting note of the composition.
• Understanding the mode, or scale, of the composition.

How to practice Janta Varisai notes?

This exercise helps to build a strong foundation for all the other exercises and helps in developing a good sense of pitch and rhythm. There are various ways to practice Janta Varisai.

• Use a shruti box or a drone to help you sing in the correct pitch.
• The best way to practice this varisai is to approach a Carnatic music teacher who can guide you through the exercise and help you sing in the correct pitch.
• Another way to practice this varisai is to sing along with recording the phrases. It helps you keep in tune with the right pitch. You can also find this varisai notation online, which can help you understand the structure of the phrases.
• This exercise has to be practised in 3 speeds
  • First speed – Two notes per beat.
  • Second speed – Four notes per beat.
  • Third speed – Eight notes per beat.
• Practicing this varisai with a friend or in a group can also be helpful as you can get feedback on your singing. Keep practicing and soon you will be able to sing it fluently!

Benefits of practising Janta Varisai

Practicing this exercise is an excellent way to improve your Carnatic music skills. It will help you develop a good sense of pitch and rhythm.

• Improved control of breath and voice, which is key for any singer.
• Better understanding of raga
• Develops rhythm skills
• Helps to sing fast passages with clarity and precision
• Builds foundation for all other Carnatic music exercises.

Janta or Jantai means two notes and they come as pairs. Therefore the notes are repeated twice. In this exercise, a swara will be repeated two times, wherein the second swara will be stressed. This enables the student to sing or play an instrument, the same swara twice on the same place, with perfect swarasthana.

Jantai Swaralu or Jandai Varisaigal

Janta Varisai notes are also tuned to the raga Mayamalavagowla and set to Adi tala.

Janta Varisai Notes in English, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada & Malayalam