सरगम आरोह अवरोह

“Sargam: Vocal Exercise” is a well-known recording from 1907. It is sung by Zohra Bai Agrewali, composed by Traditional. Musically it set in Raag Bilawal, to the Teentaal taal, in the Sargam idiom. Its prevailing mood is technical, the recording runs 2:38, released on the the gramophone company (hmv) label.

Sargam involves singing the seven notes (sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni) in ascending (aroh) and descending (avroah) order. This fundamental exercise demonstrates vocal clarity, breath control, and intonation accuracy. Zohra Bai's performance showcases precise execution of the ascending and descending scale patterns, delivered at a brisk tempo with accurate rhythmic placement against the tabla accompaniment.

As a vocal exercise, sargam is devoid of poetic content. Instead, it serves a pedagogical function — training the voice in the fundamentals of Indian music theory. The notation (sa, re, ga, etc.) represents absolute pitch positions, forming the foundation of all raag-based music.

The inclusion of a sargam exercise in gramophone recordings is unusual and suggests pedagogical intent. This recording by Zohra Bai may have served as a teaching tool, allowing students to hear correct intonation and rhythmic placement. Alternatively, it may have been recorded to demonstrate Zohra Bai's technical mastery to potential patrons or rival musicians.

While sargam exercises became standard in later classical music pedagogical recordings and instructional materials, early examples like this are rare. This recording documents the teaching practices of the gramophone era and demonstrates how serious vocalists were willing to use the new technology for educational purposes. The sargam tradition remains fundamental to Indian music training.