0During the ancient period, there used to be a culture of GURUKULA VASAM wherein the students would remain in the GURU's house, assisting HIM / HER in daily cores and also learn music whenever the GURU taught. They used to practice voice culture in 5 differnt methods then vis-a-vis THE AKARA, IKARA, UKARA, EKARA & UMKARA styles..
As periods passed, there was a shrinking of this aspect and slowly people, to some extent started ignoring these voice culture exercises.
The onslaught of Western Music influence into Indian arena brought in its wave a necessity for dfferent forms of music to excell themselves to stay in the race / exist in the field.
So the prsctice of Voice Culture tchniques took a re-birth and now exists in the form of mainly TH AKARA and to some extent extends to the UMKARAM also.
Vocal Music and Carnatic Music students must practice the Saraliswars, the Janta-Swaras and the Alankar exercises in AKARA & UMKARA methods so that they acquire the much needed Voice Culture / Flexibility which will enhance their singing prowess.
VENKTARAMANA
