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. A lankar 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