CBSE Class 10 Hindustani Music (Percussion Instruments) Syllabus 2026-27

HINDUSTANI MUSIC – PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS Subject Code - 036 Class- X (2026-27)

Introduction

The course in Percussion Instruments at Secondary and Senior Secondary level, is being offered to students for the holistic development of their personality. Percussion Instruments like Tabla/Pakhawaj are some of the finest Indian drum instruments around the world. Enriched with soulful acoustic sound and beautifully crafted features, these instruments produce sound based on scientific principles.

Inheriting the concept of Layas and Talas as the key features, Hindustani Music distinguishes itself from any other rhythmic patterns in the world, representing India's unique rich cultural heritage. It is one of the two major Tala traditions of Indian classical music, the other being the Carnatic tradition. Hindustani Percussion Instruments have developed in India with roots tracking back to the Vedic period, and evolved significantly during the medieval era. Initially being accompanying instruments to various musical forms, percussion instruments have established themselves as solo instruments today.

Objectives

• It is important to carry forward the rich heritage and tradition of Hindustani Classical - Percussion Music to the next generation and to familiarize students with its rich history and diversity.

To ensure the correct rendering of nuances of percussion syllables and Hindustani talas, pedagogical interventions involving the indigenous, traditional face-to-face Guru- Shishya (teacher – student) style are incorporated.

• Students learn the techniques of performing Tala and its cycle (Theka), Kayada, Rela, Baant, Uthan, Peshkar, Tihai and various other compositions, keeping in mind the aesthetics of Tala presentation, playing style, clarity of bols and the overall performance.

• Students not only learn a vital aspect of Indian culture but also develop skills and qualities that benefit their overall growth and personality development. Further the nerve endings of the performer get pressurize while performing Hindustani Classical - Percussion Music, which channelizes positive energy in the body. This may help students enhance their capabilities, both physically and mentally.

<math>\blacktriangle</math> Music is very closely associated with many Science and Arts disciplines. The aim is also to focus on making students aware of the interdisciplinary approaches in various musical concepts.

Learning Outcomes

Understanding the concepts of Indian Tala system.

• Ability to understand the concept of rhythm and the techniques of instrumental percussion music.

Ability to handle and perform solo recital on the percussion instrument opted for.

Ability to understand Laya, Tala, various compositions and Layakaris.

• Developing a scientific approach in all aspects, through the systematic training adopted during the teaching – learning process.
• Understanding other disciplines and their relation to various aspects of Hindustani Classical Percussion Music.

HINDUSTANI MUSIC – PERCUSSION INSTRUMENTS Subject Code - 036 Class X (2026-27)

Assessment Design

S.No Component Marks

Α Theory 30

В Practical 50

C Internal Assessment 20

Curriculum & Examination Structure

1. Theory

Time: 02 hours

Max. Marks 30

1. Questions to be set with internal choice covering the entire syllabus unit wise.
2. Candidate has to attempt at least one question from each unit.

S.No. Units Marks 06 1.1 Define the following: Farmaishi Chakradar Tukra or Paran. 1.2 Short notes on Tripushkar Vadya 09

2.1 Brief study of Delhi Gharana of Tabla and Nana Panse Gharana of Pakhawaj. 2.2 Salient features of Farukhabad Gharana of Tabla or Nath Dwara Gharana of Pakhawaj 09

3.1 Ability to write: Kayada or Rela, Tukra,or Paran, in Teentala or Adi Tala and Jhaptala or Sultala with Tala Notation system. 3.2 Write one Traditioal Kayada or Rela of anyone Gharana in Teentala or Adital with Tala Notation system. 06

4.1 Ability to write the Kayada or Rela in Ektala or Chautala with Tala notation system. 4.2 Ability to write the Thekas of Jhaptala or Sultala, Ektala or Chautala in Thah, Dugun and Chaugun laya.

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1. Practical Max. Marks 50
2. Topics

1. Tihai.

b.One Chakardar Tukra or Paran and one simple Tihai in Ektala or Chautala.two Laggi in Keharwa .

1. Ability to play two Kayadas or Rela in Jhaptala or Sultala.
2. Ability to play one Adalaya Kayada or Rela, two Sadharan Kayadas or Relas, one Farmaishi Chakardar and one Gat or Stuti Paran in Teentala or Aditala.
3. Ability to play varieties of Thekas in Teentala or AdiTala, Jhaptala or Sultala, Rupak or Teevra.
4. Ability to play Kayada, Palta, Tihai, Rela, Tukra, Paran, Chakardar in Teentala or AdiTala, Jhaptala or Sultala, Ektala.
5. Ability to do accompaniment with Bhajan
6. Solo performance with lehara at least 08-10 minutes in Teentala or

Adi Tala and 05-07 minutes in Jhaptala or Sultala.

(ii) Distribution of Marks

Time: 15-20 Minutes for each candidate

1. External Examiners are requested to ask questions directly related to the syllabus.
2. Marks should be awarded in accordance with the marking scheme.

1. No. Marks
2. Knowledge of Kayadas or Relas, Paltas, Tihai, Chakradar Tukras 80 or Parans in Ektala or Chautala
3. Laggi in Keharwa and Dadra Talas. 05
4. Knowledge of Kayada or Rela, Chakradar Tukras or Parans in 06 Jhaptala or Sultala
5. Demonstration of Adalaya Kayada or Rela, Farmaishi Chakradar, 80 Sadharan Gat, Stuti Parans in Teentala or Aditala
6. Demonstration of Thekas of Rupak or Tevra, Ektala or Chautala 05 with hand beats.
7. Ability to play Kayadas, Paltas, Tihais, Relas, Tukras, Parans in 05 prescribed Talas
8. Accompaniment with Bhajan and Geet 05
9. Solo Performance in any of the prescribed Tala:- 80 Teentala or Aditala, Jhaptala or Sultala, Ektala or Chautala

<math>*</math> External Examiner will refer to the distribution of marks while examining the candidate for Practical Examination.

Max. Marks 20

(C) Internal Assessment:

1. Project File:

(05 Marks)

Writing the composition (Kayada, Rela, Tukra or Paran, Farmaishi, Chakradar, Tukra or Paran prescribed in the syllabus in notation

• Identifying and interviewing neighborhood artists, drawing & labeling any one instrument (percussion).
• Description and writing the notation of prescribed Talas with Layakaris (Thah, Dugun, Chaugun).

Draw and label any one percussion instrument.

2. Project Work

(05 Marks)

Suggestive Topics *

Interrelationship of the following:

• Music and Religion
• Music and cinema
• Music and electronic media
• Devotional aspects of music
• Interrelationships of Arts (Music-dance or theatre or visual arts)

*Students may choose any one of the above topics or any other topic for project in consultation with teacher.

3. Periodic practical test, restricted to three in an Academic year. (10 Marks)

Average of best two tests to be taken for final marks submission. Each test will examine a candidate to perform solo recital in prescribed Talas with Kayada or Rela, Tukra or Chakradar, Paran in Teentala or Aaditala.