ALANKAR

ALANKAR,is the singing of notes (seams) in the melodic phrase of a raga. It can be done in different laya (tempo) which may be slow, medium or fast. Alankar literally means an ornament or decoration. It is the repetition of the musical notes of a raga in a sequential pattern. It evokes the mood and environment of the raga. Alankar fall into four categories: Vocalisation which returns to the initial note or Sa. ascending vocalisation, descending vocalisation, consolidated vocalisation using all the three types.

References

1. Encyclopedia of SIKH Religion and Culture, R.C.Dogra and Dr.G.S. Mansukhani 1995