Singing can be defined as an art of articulation of vowels and consonants in melodic patterns. A musical instrument consists of three parts, namely: (a) vibrator (b) motor (c) resonator in some form or other. The singer's instrument, the voice, has all the three parts and an additional part known as (d) articulator. A singer speaks while producing the melody for it is here that the instrument voice becomes "human" and transcends mechanism. It is the most articulate instrument, since it can be made to alter words according to the musical laws. This is done by modifying the sound produced by the vocal cords into vowels and consonants by the placement of the tongue, the soft palate and the shape of the lips. It conveys poetic thoughts and produces impressive music. Other instruments merely play the tune, while the voice plays and speaks at the same time.

Though the same instrument, voice, is used for both speaking and singing, the technique of voice production for singing is more complex. Singing requires a more delicate control of the three sets of muscles - those of inspiration, expiration (respiratory muscles) those of phonation (intra and extra-laryngeal muscles) those of articulation (muscles of the tongue, jaw, lips and the palate). The quality of the voice in singing cannot be entirely different from the natural quality of the speaking voice. No doubt, the voice mechanism is first put into use in the process of speaking before a man attempts to sing. The speech organs, therefore, establish the habit. Perfection of speaking needs to be cultivated before the development of correct articulation of words in singing. Singing requires perfect articulation of vowels as they accompany the musical note throughout the length in sustaining a letter on the musical note and also in melodic phrases or a variation in the different speeds in between two words in a musical composition. Good pronunciation of consonants is necessary to enunciate the words of the song distinctly.

Carnatic music makes use of the languages of South India - Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam - in the musical compositions. Whether the singer has a sound knowledge of all these languages or not, he/she should learn to articulate the words/letters pertaining to the particular language in the right way. The voice quality of a singer depends to a large extent on the way he/she utters the vowels and consonants while he/she sings. The sounds of diphthongs should be discouraged totally. The tone quality of the voice relies mainly on vowel production. Vowels are considered as more harmonious and deep-toned than consonants. A language is described musical if it abounds in vowel sounds. As the formation of vowels determine the quality of the voice, more importance is given to vocalisation or singing with the vowel Ah in voice training methods in both Hindustani and Carnatic music. The voice also needs to be trained to articulate intelligibly the consonants as they form the words in singing.

In Gandharva Veda, good articulation is regarded as one of the essential features of good singing.

Susuaram Sarasam Caiva

                           Saragam Nadhuraksharam

Salankarapramanam Ca Shadvidham

                            gayakalakshanam.

Even to date, one may find a good singer with a good voice will articulate the vowels and consonants of the song text properly. Deterioration of the voice quality among many singers is because of incorrect pronunciation of vowels and consonants in singing and the lack of attention in utteraning the words of the text of compositions. A good voice is a 'sine que. non' for good singing. Good singing emerges form Madhurakshara which helps produce Madhuraswaram. The purity of vocal utterance was deemed as a mark of culture from the time of Brahmanas. Therefore, it is highly recommended that a singer cultivate good articulation habits in every language he/she chooses to sing the composition to enrich the tonal quality which is the medium to express one's musical talents. The precious gift of God, the voice needs to be kept in perfect condition by proper training to sing the glory of the Almighty. Otherwise, we are depriving ourselves of the greatest of joys - the spiritual realisation through melodious sounds -Nada yoga.

Dr. Durga is an internationally well-known voice training specialist for singers. She received her research degree M.Litt., from the Madras University, for her thesis on Voice-Culture. Indian Musicological Society, Baroda, has brought out her book on Voice Culture. Carnatica, Chennai, has brought a video out titled "The Ideal Voice" with her presentation on Voice Culture. She has conducted many workshops on Voice-Culture in India including the Shibir for Gujarat - Sangeet Natak Academy, India, and in other foreign countries including Bharathiya Vidhya Bhavan, London. Dr. Durga is a visiting professor for Voice Culture at S.N.D.T., Women's University, Bombay and The Music Academy, Madras.

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