Riyaz with Lehera
(Dr. B.V.Chaitanya, Dental Surgeon)
Riyaz & the instruments needed
Irrespective of the school, whether dance, drama, music or sports, an artist nurtures an inherent ambition & desire to perform to the best of one’s ability to deserve the accolades that follow. Sincere efforts, therefore are put in. In the field of music the countless hours of practice & efforts are known as “Riyaz” .For any successful performance Riyaz is of paramount importance.
For Riyaz one needs sincere, burning desire to learn, true liking, spare time & proper instruments. Luckier are those who have ample time & musical instruments for regular Riyaz. Genuine interest & availability of time are not always sufficient for pursuit of music. The learners also need accompanying instruments namely-Tabla,Tanpura, harmonium etc. for their Riyaz. Availability of instruments alone is of no use unless artists are there to play them. “ Necessity is the mother of invention”. Innovative methods devised through experiments are being made available to solve these problems. Those who can afford these costly methods continue with their Riyaz, others keep on searching for affordable alternatives. To overcome the difficulties of the students of music “Riyaz” has come out with 2 CDs on Lehera “Riyaz-Lehera- Sathi” (Harmonium) & Riyaz Lehera (Violin). These scientifically, meticulously prepared CDs have in-fact opened a different vista for the lovers & pursuiters of dance & rhythm. Considering the past & looking at the present “Leheryavarial Riyaz” should prove to be a trendsetter for the future.
Background
While singing and playing instrumental music one needs to be accompanied by tanpura and tabala to maintain the guiding base. The solo tabla and classical dance are solely based on a fixed rhythmic pattern. This job of unfaltered rhythm is done by “Lehera or Nagma”. While rehearsing or in the tuition of music there is no reference of accompanying Lehera in the history of music. Even today there is paucity of expert Lehera players who can maintain perfect rhythm for long hours. It is indeed very difficult to play Lehera with accurate rhythm in fixed beats for considerable time. It is sad Lehera playing has never been accepted as an art in itself and therefore very few people have mastered it and taken it as a career in life.
A little about rhythm - 'Laya'
To start & maintain a particular pattern of rhythm without the guidance of accompanying instrument is extremely difficult. While performing it is a natural tendency of a person to go back to ones own speed and pattern of rhythm . Singing or playing music becomes easy & comfortable once this inherent, natural rhythm is reached. Unknowingly drifting into a faster speed while performing is something very common & at times unavoidable. This individual comfort zone of this rhythm is set & governed by mind.
Second way of controlling the rhythm is by using a chronometric watch. Concentration on the actual performance is divided while using this method. This is a serious flaw in this method.
A student of music can progress only if accompanied by a Lehera player who can provide consistently accurate Lehera; shaky or wavering Lehera spoils the whole Riyaz & performance.
Supreme confidence & mastery on the firm solid foundation of the basic rhythm are the two most important prerequisites of quality Lehera playing .Accompanying Lehera is routinely used in the concerts. At big concerts both the artist & the person accompanying are matching masters in their respective fields. Both with perfect mutual understanding to support each other. In spite of best efforts sometimes there is tendency of wavering rhythm but the subtle flaw goes unnoticed. The concert becomes a fiasco if the arrhythmia is gross and obvious. In a dance program or while rehearsing keeping the rhythm becomes further difficult with increasing speed & variations. Faulty presentation takes away the pleasure & joy of a concert. It happens when the person accompanying cannot refrain from the temptation getting himself involved and carried away in the charm of Music.
Definition of Lehera
Lehera is a chain or set group of notes in a prescribed definite manner. When it is repeated over & over in a definite set rhythm it becomes easy to understand the type of particular pattern and at the same time one can make out the beginning & end of this pattern. The beginning of such new cycle & end of previous one in musical terms is called “Sum”. The face of accompanying Lehera player need not be seen but its beats need to be followed & understood in any given cycle. Lehera is a group of ascending & descending notes to create a certain tune ,set in a definite time period, in rhythmic beats which is cyclically repeated. This accompaniment called “Lehera” forms the basis of rhythm on which the artist sings or plays instruments including tabla to maintain the desired rhythmic pattern.
Types of Lehera
1. Plain direct/neat playing (“Saral”)
2. Playing a tune (as if singing)
Producing Lehera
1. Can be performed by singing in a composition in intended pattern(“Tal”) & speed of rhythm( “Laya”).
2. The composed Lehera can be played on instruments (the most common practice) such as harmonium/violin/ sarangi etc.
3. On percussion instruments/drums such as tabla, pakhvaz.
Creation of Lehera
1. Can be composed in suitable “Raga”. Mastering the “Raga”, knowing its nuances (“Jaga”) & choosing suitable to notes match its spirit are the prerequisites for creating Lehera.
2. Deep knowledge of different rhythms, beats(“matra”), speed (“laya”) & “Sum” is a must.
3. Anybody can compose different Leheras by choosing ascending & descending (“Aaroh & Avaroh “) beats.
4. There should be fixed rules for playing Lehera.
Scientific- theoretical knowledge of rhythm alone may not prove sufficient to get the best results. Experience in actually playing the percussion instrument with adequate base of “Raga” is required. Some Leheras are extremely popular for ages because they were composed by the masters who excelled in both – percussion & classical singing. It is known that the best Lehera accompanists were and would be good composers & singers themselves.
Playing Lehera
Lehera player need not be a original composer.
Hallmarks of good Lehera-playing
1. Should be consistent with desired “Tal” or rhythm which should be clear in the playing.
2. Ability to reduce or increase the speed of the Lehera as per the requirement of tabla player.
3. Should enhance the interest & enthusiasm of the player.
4. Should be melodious.
Uses of Lehera
1. To provide constant accurate desired rhythm.
2. To clarify/point out the exact beats/”Matra”.
3. To make accompaniment rich & melodious.
4. To make performance more entertaining & lively.
5. To enthuse the tabla player.
Scope of Lehera
1. Since traditional houses or schools are nonexistent, research, study & teaching of lehera as a separate subject should be considered.
2. Degrees such as Master, doctorate, Pundit or “ Lehera Vachaspati “ can be conferred.
3. No literature or printed books are available as of today on this subject.
New Concept
From the day one Riyaz in singing or playing instrument done with Lehera should be developed as a new trend. In this tradition there should be active participation of the teachers because, to understand Lehera for a beginner is quite difficult. It is vital for a new student to listen repeatedly Lehera to assimilate it. In this the student should be able to recognize the timing of “Sum”, the ups & downs of the notes, and last two to four beats(Matra).After acquiring the basic tabla playing skill in different rhythms( Tals) one should start rehearsing with Lehera accompaniment.. This is the time to take consent & guidance of the teacher.
Once Lehera is learnt by heart, its notes, rhythmic movements & the beats become pathfinder & guide to base the classical singing or playing instrument.
This is why Lehera accompaniment makes singing & playing instrument easy & enjoyable.
Important Considerations
It is the teacher community that must take it to their hearts to make use of Lehera in their teaching program. Even the experts find it difficult to play tabla to the accompaniment of Lehera played by somebody who is not their regular partner.
There are only few people in the world of Indian classical music who are known for their expertise on Lehera playing- one of them is Sultan Khan, a sarangi player who usually accompanies tabla maestro Pandit Zakir Hussein. They form a very enjoyable team of two for the music lovers. Lehera playing gets its due importance in the teaching of classical music many people will take it as a carrier. It will be a boon especially for the old people who were experts in their bygone days and are sidelined to come back in to the mainstream of the musical world. Mr.Shriram Shahapurkar is an example who was so proficient in the art of Lehera playing, he was sought after by big artists in those days for accompanying them in big concerts.
With its reasonable & easily affordable cost, maintaining the natural beauty and melodiousness of the original instrument, scientifically invented with a broad base of different varieties of rhythms & compositions "Lehera" on a CD will be surely of immense use to the students of music.
Dr. B.V.Chaitanya, dental surgeon
Original marathi script writer
(English Translation by Dr. S.M. Natekar)
CD can comfortably help student in achieving desired knowledge of music at home, which many a times may not be possible even in classes,
It’s nice! Very useful! Should be adevertised properly through all universities, private classes, schools, and institutes.
Lot of efforts have been taken! It has 100 precently solved problem of dependency of Tanpura and Tabla assistance! The best multipurpose tool!
Extremely useful to serious learners of classical music. Swaras maintain rhythmic consistency. Imagine Tabla player sitting next to you all the time. 
Modern era belongs to computers. Riyaz has acted as Bridge of learning between Music and Science.
I am sure this CD will help learners of classical Music. I feel 'RIYAZ' is great blessing and gift by Dr Chaitanya to wonderful world of Music. 
Great... Congratulations! This CD is extremely essential in foreign countries. 
Through this CD anyone will be able to easily learn music at home. I am sure this project will be highly successful. 
In today's fast paced life, old fashioned training is outdated. That is why this CD is very useful and significant. Very suitable and handy. Any one will feel like enjoying the rhythm of 'Swaras'. 
