BA & MA Music Courses: Rabindra Bharati University and Visva-Bharati
Planning to study music at a university? Here is what the official vocal curricula of RBU and Visva-Bharati ask for, including the ragas, and how Surmandal's one-to-one training helps you prepare.
Music degrees in Kolkata and Santiniketan
Two well-known places to study vocal music at degree level are Rabindra Bharati University (RBU) in Kolkata and Sangit Bhavana at Visva-Bharati in Santiniketan. Their curricula name the ragas students learn, so knowing them early lets you practise with a clear plan.
Rabindra Bharati University
- Bachelor's: B.A. (Hons) Vocal Music, 6 semesters (CBCS)
- Master's: M.A. Vocal Music, 4 semesters
- Admission has been through a practical test and a written test. For 2026-27 these were scheduled for 25 and 26 July 2026, and 30 and 31 July 2026
Visva-Bharati (Sangit Bhavana)
- Bachelor's: B.Mus (Honours, 3 years), with Rabindra Sangit and Hindusthani Classical Vocal
- Master's: M.Mus in Hindusthani Classical Music, 4 semesters
- Selection by practical test and viva-voce. Eligibility: 10+2 with at least 45% marks for B.Mus, and 55% in a 3-year music honours degree for external M.Mus candidates, per its notices
Admission dates, marks and eligibility change every year. Always check the university's current notice. This page was checked on 21 October 2026.
Ragas in the RBU B.A. (Hons) Vocal Music curriculum
From RBU's CBCS curriculum for B.A. (Hons) Vocal Music (Board of Studies, June 2017). The practical papers prescribe these ragas.
Semester 1 practical
Any two ragas in vilambit ektal, two ragas in madhyalaya of jhaptal, and one raga in drut ektal.
Semester 3 Dhrupad
Any four ragas in choutal, two in jhaptal and two in surfank tal.
Semester 4 knowledge of raga, in pairs
Semester 5 Thumri and Dadra
Semester 5 electives: Dhrupad
Semester 5 electives: Kheyal (a selection)
The curriculum also covers Dhrupad, Dhamar, Kheyal, Tarana, Tappa and Thumri, Rabindra Sangeet (Prem, Prakriti and Puja parjay), songs of Dwijendralal Roy, Rajanikanta Sen, Atulprasad Sen, Kazi Nazrul Islam and others, Kirtan, Baul, Bhatiyali and Jhumur. Talas include choutal, dhamar, surfank, jhaptal, ektal, teora, trital, dadra and kaharwa. Theory papers cover Indian and Western music history, thaat and mela, and the tala system.
Source: RBU Vocal Music UG curriculum (PDF). Spellings follow the document.
Ragas in the Visva-Bharati B.Mus (Hons) vocal curriculum
From the Sangit Bhavana curriculum for the Hindusthani Classical Music undergraduate course (CBCS).
Semester 1
With alankars, swaramalikas, lakshan geet, drut khayal and the talas trital, ektal, jhaptal, dadra and keharwa.
Later semesters khayal courses
Later semesters Dhrupad and Dhamar
Forms include vilambit and drut khayal, tarana, dhrupad, dhamar, an introduction to thumri, and stage demonstrations. The ragas are given in groups for each course, so students learn them across the semesters.
Source: Visva-Bharati B.Mus Hindusthani Classical Music curriculum (PDF).
Ragas in the Visva-Bharati M.Mus (Hindusthani vocal) curriculum
The master's courses prescribe a wider set, with khayal, dhrupad and dhamar, thumri and dadra, and stage performance tests of about 30 minutes.
Early courses
Khayal and Dhrupad / Dhamar
Later courses
Advanced groups including thumri, dadra, tappa
Source: Visva-Bharati M.Mus Hindusthani Classical Music curriculum (PDF).
An important difference: these ragas are what you study after admission. The admission test has its own requirements, set in each university's yearly notice. We could not find a public RBU M.A. Vocal Music admission syllabus, so please check RBU's Department of Vocal Music notice for the current requirements.
How Surmandal helps you prepare
- Teachers from RBU: Mrs. Santa Mandal and Miss Nabanita Mandal are M.Mus graduates of Rabindra Bharati University
- One-to-one training, our speciality: raga practice, taal, notation and voice, planned around your target university
- Practice of khayal, alankar and the song forms in the curricula, plus Rabindra Sangeet
- Guidance on admission notices, dates and what to prepare
We cannot guarantee admission, but a clear plan and regular riyaaz make a real difference.
University Music Courses FAQ
Which ragas are in the Rabindra Bharati University B.A. Vocal Music syllabus?
The RBU B.A. (Hons) Vocal Music CBCS curriculum names ragas such as Bahar, Basant, Kedar, Bageshree and Bhimpalasree in the first semester, and Bhairav, Todi, Yaman, Kedar, Puriya, Malkauns and others for Dhrupad later on. Thumri and Dadra ragas include Kafi, Bhairavi, Desh and Tilang.
Which ragas does Visva-Bharati prescribe for B.Mus Hindusthani vocal?
The first semester prescribes Yaman, Bhairava, Khamaj, Kafi and Bhupali. Later semesters add ragas such as Alhaiya Bilawal, Brindavani Sarang, Kedar, Bihag, Desh, Todi, Malkauns, Marwa, Hamir, Bageshri, Bahar, Basant and Miyan Ki Malhar.
Is the university course syllabus the same as the admission test?
No. The ragas listed in a degree curriculum are what you study after admission. The admission test has its own requirements, which each university publishes in its yearly notice.
Can Surmandal help me prepare for a music degree entrance?
Yes. Our teachers are M.Mus graduates of Rabindra Bharati University and teach one-to-one, covering raga practice, taal, notation and theory. We cannot guarantee admission.
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