Sthayi

What does sthayi mean?

The sthayi is the first section of a Hindustani classical composition. It stays mostly in the lower and middle range of notes. It also serves as the refrain, the part that returns as the music continues.

For example, a singer returns to the sthayi line between improvised passages. Listen for that repeated line, rather than only following each new passage. Its return is your cue.

The sthayi is paired with the antara, the section that explores the upper range before returning to the sthayi. Listen for that movement back to the opening section.

This is a short definition with one example. For the full explanation, follow the linked BeatRootRaga learning page.

Where to read more about sthayi

Read Mukhda and antara: how a film song is built for the full explanation. The page follows the connection between the classical form and a film song’s returning opening section.

The sthayi is the first section of a Hindustani classical composition. It stays mostly in the lower and middle range and returns as a refrain. Film composers kept the two-part idea, calling the refrain the mukhda. In a typical Hindi film song, the antara is a verse with new words and melody.