S-R-mM-P-D-nN-S
According to Rajan Parrikar, Ambika Sarang “was designed by [Agra vocalist] Chidanand Nagarkar…elements of Shuddha Sarang and Kafi are blended together in a delicious cocktail”. Ga is banished, allowing for Saraswati-tinged movements. While Nagarkar’s naming motives are unclear, ‘ambika’ (meaning ‘mother’ in Sanskrit) is closely tied to the goddess Saraswati (in particular, the manifestation of Adi Parashakti: a weapon-wielding, demon-slaying deity held as the ultimate matriarch of the universe – as well as being the one who bestowed the other gods with their names…).
• Raga Megalist (365+) •
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• Hindustani Raga Index •
—Parveen Sultana (2007)—
[refrain, e.g. 3:53] DDPM, S\n(Sn) DDP(M)P, (P)M\R, P(M)P, DDPM, S\n…
• Classifiers •
Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see the Full Tag List):
Swaras: -4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10+
Sapta: Audav | Shadav | Sampurna
Poorvang: SRGM | SRG | SRM | SGM
Uttarang: PDNS | PDS | PNS | DNS
Varjit: Re | Ga | Ma | Pa | Dha | Ni
Double: rR | gG | mM | dD | nN
Thaat: 10 | 32 | Enclosed | Inexact
Chal: All-shuddha | All-komal | Ma-tivra
Gaps: Anh. | Hemi. | 3-row | 4-row | 5-row
Symmetries: Mirror | Rotation | Palindr.
Aroha: Audav | Shadav | Sampurna
Avroh: Audav | Shadav | Sampurna
Jati: Equal | Balanced | Av.+1 | Av.+2
Samay: Morning | Aftern. | Eve. | Night
Murchana: Bhup. | Bihag | Bilaw. | Charu.
Raganga: Bhairav | Malhar | Kan. | Todi
Construction: Jod | Mishra | Oddball
Origin: Ancient | Carnatic | Modern
Dominance: Poorvang | Uttarang
Prevalence: A-list | Prachalit | Aprach.
–Swara Geometries–
• Core form: S-R-mM-P-D-nN-S
• Reverse: SrRgmMPnS (=none)
• Inverse: dha; SmPdS (=none)
• Imperfect: 2 (Ma, Dha)
• Detached: none
• Symmetries: none
• Murchanas: Lachari Kanada set
–Global Translations–
• Carnatic: ~Saranga Malhar
S-R2-M1-M2-P-D2-N2-N3-S
• Jazz: Aeoliogyllic
1-2-4-#4-5-6-b7-7-8
• Pitch classes (‘fret-jumps’):
0-2-5-6-7-9-10-11-0
(2–3–1–1–2–1–1–1)
o • o • • o o o • o o o o
• Tanpura: Sa–Pa
• Names: Ambika Sarang
—Tushar Dutta (2019)—
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• Hindustani Raga Index •
An open-ended project seeking to bring North Indian raga closer to all who approach with open ears. Combines direct input from dozens of leading Hindustani artists with in-depth insights from music history, global theory, performance practice, cognitive science, and much more! [out 2023]
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George Howlett is a London-based musician, writer, and teacher (guitars, sitar, tabla, & santoor). Above all I seek to enthuse fellow sonic searchers, interconnecting fresh vibrations with the voices, cultures, and passions behind them. See Homepage for more, and hit me up for Lessons!
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