Riyaz is often spoken of casually, almost mechanically, as a daily routine, a checklist item, or preparation for performance. But when musicians speak honestly, riyaz reveals itself as something far deeper, and more intimate. The voices from this discussion remind us that riyaz is not merely what we do. It is who we become through repetition, awareness, and surrender.
The Struggle of Consistency
For many, the biggest challenge is not talent or intent, but consistency. Passion alone does not guarantee progress. Long breaks, seasonal health issues, or an irregular routine can quietly stall growth for years. Yet, when a streak finally begins, however fragile, it brings hope. Riyaz teaches patience before it teaches mastery. It humbles us by showing how much time truly matters.
Pt. Venkatesh Kumar on the need for longer hours for Riyaz
Riyaz Beyond Performance
One powerful insight echoed strongly: riyaz is not preparation for performance. It is preparation for life. What we learn from gurus, teachers, or self-study becomes the material of riyaz, not the applause we seek. If riyaz does not deepen passion or bring inner satisfaction, or some form of oneness with something larger, it fails its true purpose. When riyaz is driven by fame or validation, it quietly turns into stress. When driven by sincerity, it becomes worship.
Discipline That Centers the Self
Riyaz represents discipline in its purest form. Life may be chaotic, schedules may collapse, but the moment one sits for riyaz, order returns. Even if it doesn’t happen daily, whenever it does, it becomes an act of self-respect. To practice one’s art is, in itself, a quiet achievement. Something worth feeling proud of.
Connection Over Complexity
At its core, riyaz is about connection. Not complexity, not virtuosity. The goal is to connect the mind so deeply with the instrument or voice that music flows without conscious effort. Thought dissolves, and instinct takes over. The joy of completing 21 days, 108 days, or any personal milestone is not about numbers, it’s about earning trust in oneself.
Hariharan ji explains what is Riyaz
Listening as the First Riyaz
Perhaps the most overlooked truth: listening is riyaz. Before a swar can be sung, it must settle in the mind. Without internalizing sound, technique remains hollow. Riyaz does not demand a fixed posture, time, or tanpura. A fan’s hum or a cooler’s drone, every frequency holds a swar. Matching your voice to it becomes a moment of discovery, a reminder that music exists everywhere.
Riyaz as Remembrance
Riyaz does not always require sitting down. Sometimes, it is constant remembrance. When music lives in the mind, it surfaces unexpectedly, like a small miracle. Skills appear when least expected, revealing how deeply they were absorbed. Whether the goal is material or spiritual, nothing replaces riyaz. It is the quiet force that works when nothing else does.
A Shared Truth
Across experiences, one truth stands clear: riyaz cannot be standardized. It is personal, evolving, and deeply human. It may look like discipline, devotion, listening, struggle, or silenc. But at heart, it is sincerity repeated over time.Riyaz is not a means to music.
Riyaz is the path, the practice, and the presence itself.
Contributers
This article is a collective outcome of insightful perspectives shared in our community discussion on Riyaz. We sincerely thank all contributors whose experiences, reflections, and viewpoints helped shape this piece:
Swapneel Gore, Yogesh Bahadur, Shaunak Manapure, Shounak Hirde, Anu Agrawal, Prathamesh Nandanwar.
Indian classical music thrives on dialogue, and this article is a small continuation of that shared samvaad.
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A very informative article on Riyaz.
My thanks to all the contributors