S-R-gG-m-P-dD-nN-S Perhaps the most emblematic thumri raga, Pilu’s highly permissive melodic framework functions more like an alliance of amorous folk tunes than a ‘rigorously codified’ form (Bhatkhande recounts that some artists of his early 20th-century era resisted Pilu’s classification as a raga altogether). While relatively rare on the khayal stage, it enjoys wild popularity across […]
• Raag Pilu •
• Raag Jogkauns •
S-gG-m-P-d-N-S Created by Jagannathbuwa Purohit ‘Gunidas’ in the 1940s, Jogkauns is usually summarised as ‘Jog plus Chandrakauns’ – although the Agra vocal master’s original inception drew more from the melodies of a ‘raised Ni‘ Malkauns offshoot than from Chandrakauns, which was then still in its infancy (Parrikar: “Gunidas originally referred to his inspiration as simply ‘Kaunshi’, […]
• Raag Jog •
S-gG-m-P-n-S A lively late-evening raga, Jog translates as ‘state of union’ (derived from the Sanskrit concept of yogi). Its oddly bluesy harmony presents an enchanting almost-familiarity to uninitiated listeners, mixing major and minor flavours via a characteristic ‘Gmg zigzag’ phrase in descent (which, via the wonders of convergent evolution, suggests the structure of a 7#9 […]
• Raag Madhurkauns •
S-gG-m-d-n-S A fascinating yet sparsely-recorded creation of Kirana vocalist Prabha Atre, matching the swaras of ‘Malkauns double-Ga’ (or ‘Nandkauns no Pa’). The addition of shuddha Ga maintains the original Ga–ni symmetry axis of Malkauns, while also giving more gravity to shuddha ma via upward resolutions of G/m – a feature which forms the basis of […]
• Raag Jogeshwari •
S-gG-m-D-n-S A low-high combination of Jog and Rageshri invented by Ravi Shankar and first released on a stellar 1980 album (although he was performing it at least 5 years before this: e.g. a 1975 rendition from an all-night concert in Varanasi). Jog’s strong shuddha Ga dominates the poorvang, while motions towards the uttarang revolve around Rageshri’s […]
• Raag Enayetkhani Kanada •
S-R-gG-m-P-d-nN-S Invented by sitarist Vilayat Khan as a tribute to his father, legendary Imdadkhani innovator Enayet Khan (although when the raga first surfaced, circa 1981, he was instead calling it ‘Vilayat Khani Kanada’…). As per fellow Imdadkhani sitarist-scholar Deepak Raja’s ever-excellent analysis, the raga runs along the lines of “Darbari with the addition of two […]
• Raag Rasikpriya •
S-gG-M-P-nN-S A direct borrowing of Carnatic music’s 72nd melakarta scale: which, as the final position on the wheel, has all its swaras set to their highest available positions. In Hindustani music, the equivalent principle would produce Yaman (SRGMPDNS), but the South Indian system allows three variants for each of Re, Ga, Dha, & Ni, with […]
• Raag Ek Prakar ki Kauns •
S-gG-m-d-nN-S An invention of Imdadkhani sitarist Rais Khan (who, with a pleasing lack of pretention, named his new raga ‘a type of Kauns’). From Martyn Clayton’s excellent liner notes to a 1985 Navras recording: “Indeed an unusual raga…Rais Khan’s ‘Ek Prakar ki Kauns’ is based on Malkauns, but incorporates two extra notes [shuddha Ga & […]
• Raag Mohankauns •
S-gG-m-d-n-S As recounted in The Hindu, Mohankauns “was spontaneously created by Ravi Shankar in 1949. On hearing of [Mohandas K.] Gandhi’s death, Pandit-ji was asked by All India Radio to play a piece dedicated to the Mahatma. On the spot, he created a variation of…Malkauns”. As well as the occasional use of shuddha Re, his […]
• Raag Patmanjari •
(S-rR-gG-mM-P-dD-nN-S) Said by some to be more of a ‘performance concept’ than a single raga, ‘Patmanjari’ translates as ‘Bouquet of Five Ragas’. Debate persists over whether the form should be interpreted as an open challenge to blend five ragas of an artist’s own choosing, or whether it entails five specific ragas – and, if so, […]
• Raag Jogeshwari Pancham •
S-gG-m-P-D-n-S Created by Gwalior educator and vocalist Vishwanath Rao Ringe ‘Tanarang’, by adding touches of avroh Pa to Ravi Shankar’s Jogeshwari (itself a blend of Jog and Rageshri). Jogeshwari’s basic phraseology is retained, while also allowing further extensions into Jog’s territory (all its swaras are now present). In Tanarang’s own analysis: “while descending from Dha […]
• Raag Jaun Bhairav •
S-rR-gG-m-P-d-nN-S A jod raga fashioned by Agra vocalist Jagannathbuwa Purohit ‘Gunidas’ (also the creator of Jogkauns and Swanandi), combining Jaunpuri and Bhairav. Described as having a “crowded swara-space”, with both komal and shuddha variants of Re, Ga, and Ni on display. Abhijith Shenoy ‘Abhirang’ offers catchphrases including SRmP; rNSdP; dmPG; PgRS; GmrS. • Raga Megalist […]
• Raag Bheem •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-n-S Near-identical to Gaoti, Bheem is sometimes said to be distinguished by its allowance of komal ga in taar saptak (…although I’ve encountered plenty of Gaoti renditions with this characteristic too). Tanarang notes that “in uttarang, komal ni is always rendered [via a] meend from Sa, as a kan-swar like GmP, (S)nS…Similarly in Avroh, ni is […]
• Raag Zila Kafi •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S A springtime raga described by Satyaki Dutta as “a flow of a thousand feelings…the advent of new beginnings, painted with gleaming colours and shimmering joy”. Its Zila component places greater emphasis on the double-Ga, while the rest of the raga tends to fit into the thumri-allied Mishra Kafi framework. Almost all recordings are on either […]
• Raag Shivmat Bhairav •
S-r-gG-m-P-d-nN-S Shivmat Bhairav can be described as a blend of Bhairav, Bhairavi, and Todi, with the former being the most dominant over the sound (‘Bhairav double Ga/Ni’). Relatively rare in modern times, the raga brings out Bhairav via GmrS phrases and oscillations on the komal re – while also incorporating komal ga and ni in […]
• Raag Tilang Bahar •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S A sparsely-recorded form which uses all the swaras of both Tilang and Bahar, appraised by Tanarang as “a fine blend of the two melodies…both [ragas] provide sweet tonal embellishment” (who gives characteristic phrases of GmPm; GmRS; mDNS; DNSRS; SnPmG; mPm; DNSnP; GmRS). Kirana singer R.D. Jadhav’s performance (described on the cover as a “bright […]
• Raag Ramdasi Malhar •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S A diverse sankirna raga, fabled as a creation of Guru Ram Das – a 16th-century Sikh saint said to have opened Emperor Akbar’s eyes to the unity of the divine (“these jagirs [feudal land grants] are sources of evil passions, pride, and ego…it is by the name of God that all creatures, continents, worlds, […]
• Raag Malgunji •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-n-S Roughly describable as a ‘Khamaj–ang Bageshri with a Rageshri-like shuddha Ga in aroha’, Malgunji is a multicoloured form, beloved by Gwalior vocalists (as well as Maihar sitarist Nikhil Banerjee). Some artists also feature a vivadi of shuddha Ni (often as mDNS, likely indicating the influence of Gara). Tanarang, aiming to evoke a “deep atmosphere”, gives […]
• Raag Lakshmi Todi •
S-rR-gG-m-P-dD-n-S A complex multi-melodic blend named after the Hindu goddess of power, beauty, prosperity, and good fortune (Lakshmi: ‘she who leads to the goal’) – which imports the movements of several other ragas into a general Todi framework. Abhirang’s breakdown discusses “shades of Jaunpuri (RmPSdP; nSRndP), Dev Gandhar (RnSRGm), Gaud (SRGmGm; mGRGm), Kafi (RmPDnS), Gandhari […]
• Raag Khat •
S-rR-gG-m-P-dD-n-S Often described as one of the most complex Hindustani forms, Khat (Sanskrit: ‘six’) is said to combine six different ragas – although it remains unclear precisely which they may be (Subbha Rao’s Raga Nidhi cites either “Suha, Kanada, Sarang, Desi, Gandhari, & Sughrai” or “Ramkali, Asavari, Todi, Gujiri, Baradi, & Gandhari“). Often, Asavari is […]
• Raag Jaijaiwanti •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S A much-beloved but highly intricate raga, featuring both variants of Ga and Ni. Dhrupadyas hold NSDNR as the essential pakad (with some bemoaning the loss of the “slow glide from Ga to Re…as the distinguishing feature of Jaijaiwanti”) – while modern performers tend to ‘enclose’ the komal ga in the avroh phrase RgR, preferring […]
• Raag Gunji Kanada •
S-R-gG-m-P-d-n-S A Gwalior gharana favourite which blends Malgunji and Kaunsi Kanada, principally via inserting the former’s RnSRG, Gm phrase into the broader framework of the latter – although some sources also cite the vital influences of Adana and Bahar (e.g. mDnS). Modern renditions tend to take the komal dha, although a shuddha Dha variant has also […]
• Raag Devgandhari Todi •
S-rR-gG-m-P-d-n-S A modification of Dev Gandhar, devised by Agra vocalist S.N. Ratanjankar via the addition of a Todi-like komal re – thus filling the entire Sa-to-ma swara space. Also recorded by his student K.G. Ginde, who extends this hemitonic run (and leans further into Todi’s geometries) by including touches of shuddha Ni, also reworking some […]
• Raag Devata Bhairav •
S-r-gG-m-P-d-N-S A double-Ga Bhairav derivative, introduced by Agra gharana pioneer Azmat Hussain Khan ‘Dilrang’. As per Parrikar, the raga is distinguished from its parent with “the introduction of [an] avroh pragoya via the komal ga [mgrS]”. Some artists include subtle touches of komal ni, including Jitendra Abhisheki – who sings a madhyang-focused bandish (to me, somewhat reminiscent […]
• Raag Bihad Bhairav •
S-r-gG-m-P-D-nN-S A ‘double-Ga, double-Ni’ creation of Bhairav-loving vocalist Kumar Gandharva (also see Bhavmat Bhairav & Rati Bhairav). Bose describes how “the projection of the raga is done mainly around Sa…the aroha poorvang is similar to Jogiya [Srm: also Gunakri], and it has a small portion of Shivmat Bhairav” [e.g. rgrS], giving pakad such as Srm; GrS […]
• Raag Bhairav Bahar •
S-rR-gG-m-P-D-nN-S A ten-toned multi-jod raga, Bhairav Bahar’s descent blends the melodic signatures of several disparate ragas – although, as per Darbhanga Dhrupad vocalist Premkumar Mallick, flavours of Bhairav should dominate. Bose gives a vadi–samvadi of ma–Sa, while also mentioning the existence of an alternate ‘double-Dha’ version (thus allowing for the use of every swara position […]
• Raag Abheri Todi •
S-rR-gG-m-P-d-n-S Described by musicologist and critic Rajan Parrikar as “another obscure [Todi] variant, in which strands of Asavari and Khamaj are tied to the Todi-anga”. His guru Ramrang’s rendition of the raga revolves around phrases such as PmPm\g; mPn\d; SRnS; rnSRG, and Srikant Bakre‘s also visits the shuddha Dha – while the name presumably derives […]
• Raag Nandkauns •
S-gG-m-P-d-n-S A poorvang–uttarang blend of Jog and Malkauns (despite the name, there is no trace of Nand). Shuddha ma, as the natural meeting point between these two ragas, assumes the most prominence (sometimes hinting at a ma-murchana of SRgmPnNS) – along with frequent use of a highly expressive n\P glide. Remains rare on the concert […]
• Raag Milan Gandhar •
S-gG-P-D-n-S An enchanting yet ultra-rare raga created by pioneering Punjabi vocalist Salamat Ali Khan, running along the lines of ‘Kalavati with komal ga in avroh’ (often as PDPgS or SngS), bringing shades of Kafi. A 1965 Salamat & Nazakat performance in Kabul (bandish: Piya More Angan Aaye & Tana Dhere Na Dhim), emphatically places the […]
• Raag Dev Gandhar •
S-R-gG-m-P-d-n-S A Gwalior gharana speciality described by Tanarang as “an old melodic form, not much in vogue…very sweet, its unique appeal stems from the application of both gandhars, elaborated similar to Jaunpuri”. Unlike Gandhari, Dev Gandhar allows for both Ga variants in aroha as well as avroh – with Parrikar providing a simple summary for […]
• Raag Bhavmat Bhairav •
S-r-gG-m-P-d-nN-S A Lalit-ang offshoot of Bhairav devised by gharana-blending genius Kumar Gandharva (also the creator of Bihad Bhairav, Rati Bhairav, Saheli Todi, Lagan Gandhar, & Madhusurja). The raga employs both variants of Ga and Ni, albeit with the komal shades rendered subtly – and compositions tend to focus on the ornamental space around Sa (e.g. […]
• Raag Vardhini •
S-gG-m-P-d-n-S Adapted from Carnatic music’s 32nd melakarta scale (‘Ragavardhini’: strictly speaking, the Northern form should perhaps be spelled this way too), Vardhini matches the swaras of Nandkauns (or ‘Jogkauns komal ni’). Seemingly introduced to the Northern ragascape via the Dagarvani Dhrupad – Zia Mohiuddin Dagar’s rudra veena interpretation, from a 1986 Seattle show, features a strong […]
• Raag Rageshri Kanada •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-n-S A seldom-heard Rageshri variant which incorporates Kanada-flavoured poorvang phrases. The only full-length recording I was able to find is a fascinating 1960 album rendition by Dhrupad vocal legend Rahimuddin Khan Dagar (Ganga Jata Shiv: transcribed below), which incorporates shuddha Re and komal ga in curious adjacent movements such as SR(Gg)G, G(g)R. Intriguingly, the komal […]
• Raag Patdeepaki •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S A Kafi–ang double-Ga, double-Ni raga which grafts the komal variants of these swaras onto a Patdeep–prakriti foundation, allowing for shades of proximate forms such as Barwa (mgRnD), Desi (RgSRnS), and Maluha Kalyan. Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande’s recital preface (transcribed below) describes it as “a cousin of Patdeep…it will give you shades of several ragas which are […]
• Raag Nagadhwani Kanada •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S A hazily-codified raga of uncertain origin, Nagadhwani Kanada is seldom performed today – although the term ‘Nagadhwani’ (‘sound of serpents’) seemingly appears in ancient lakshanagranthas including the 13th-century Sangita Ratnakara (‘Ocean of Music and Dance’). Joydeep Mukherjee’s Mohanveena rendition lies close to Patdeep, placing particular emphasis on shuddha Dha, while Pandit Jasraj’s Kafi-tilted bandish […]
• Raag Gara •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S Gara is a disparate melodic lineage, derived from thumri compositions of centuries past: Manuel’s research describes it as “a loose, informal melodic entity until the 18th century, after which [its] grammar was organised by classically trained musicians…like Kafi, Pilu, Jungala, Barwa, and Zila”. Often close to Jaijaiwanti, the modern Gara may also draw from […]
• Raag Lagan Gandhar •
S-R-gG-P-D-S An oddball product of Kumar Gandharva’s limitless imagination, Lagan Gandhar (‘Full Ga Concentration’) is distinguished by taking a ‘triple-Ga’ – with an additional ‘quarter-tone’ sruti lying roughly halfway between the komal and shuddha shades (‘komalaa gandhar’: notated below as ‘g̃’). This strange tone-trio is often navigated in adjacent manner, with slow glides serving to […]
• Raag Neelambari •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-n-S A blend of the allied Kafi and Sindhura, brought into being by revered Gwalior vocalist Omkarnath Thakur some time prior to 1936 (n.b. it bears no discernible connections to the Carnatic raga of the same name). Parrikar points to “two special pathos-imbuing prayogas: the melodic molecule DngR, and the chromatic avroh slide from shuddha […]
• Raag Lankeshwari •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-n-S An enchanting blend of three night ragas: Bageshri, Rageshri, and Malgunji. Bageshri, evident via a strong ma–Sa sangati and the skipping of Pa in ascent, combines with Rageshri to present a double-Ga – with more extended melodic developments often following in the manner of Malgunji. Seemingly the exclusive preserve of vocalists, although it remains […]
• Raag Jaijaiwanti Nat •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S A barely-explored compound of Jaijaiwanti and Shuddha Nat, which blends the basic structure of the latter raga with flourishes from the former. The only renditions I can trace are those of Bhimsen Joshi, who may be the raga’s inventor (although some sources suggest the great Jaipur-Atrauli guru Azizuddin Khan instead) – beginning in the […]
• Raag Hanskinkini •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S Running something like a ‘double-Ga, double-Ni Dhanashree’, Hanskinkini is full of florid ornaments and intricate melodic turns – reflected in the imagery of its name, which translates as ‘swan’ + ‘small tinkling ornament’. Performers may draw on the melodic flexibilities of other ‘double Ga+Ni’ ragas including Pilu and Jaijaiwanti, while preserving the Dhanashree-ang kernel […]
• Raag Rageshri Bahar •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S A double-Ga, double-Ni fusion of Rageshri and Bahar, with the former dominating the aural impression. Abhirang, basing his analysis on a V.R. Athavale bandish, gives characteristic movements of DnSGm; mPgm; nDNS; DnSGmRS; SDnPm – while Subbha Rao’s Raga Nidhi Vol. 4 states that “the vadi is ma, and samvadi is Sa…Re is not used […]
• Raag Lachari Todi •
S-R-gG-m-P-dD-n-S As per Parrikar, “there are 3 varieties of Lachari Todi, all of them having very little to do with Todi proper: and there is major divergence among [them]”. Some renditions limit themselves to the swaras SRGmdnS, although Amjad Ali Khan takes a much more expansive approach, spanning SRgGmPdDnS with complex ornamental combinations that mix […]
• Raag Jayant Malhar •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S An enchanting combination of Jaijaiwanti and Miyan ki Malhar, featuring correspondingly complex paths through the double Ga and Ni positions. Moumita Mitra’s explanation notes that some interpretations may alternate between the two parent ragas in a segmented, sequential manner, whereas others prefer to present their phrases in more intermingled fashion (e.g. RGm(G)P mGm\R; (m)R/P […]
• Raag Lachari Kanada •
S-R-gG-m-P-nN-S Despite its unique swara set, Lachari Kanada is rare to the point of extinction: the only two recordings I can track down are both brief cuts by Agra stalwart Latafat Kussain Khan (one is said to have been captured at a baithak in Kolkata, the other is of unknown origin). His rendition reveals Kanada turns […]
• Raag Amrut Ranjani •
S-gG-m-dD-n-S An ingenious evening raga created by the late (and vastly underappreciated) santoor maestro Ulhas Bapat, based around mirroring Jog‘s GmgS catchphrase in the uttarang as Dndm: thus hinting at a ma-murchana (i.e. ‘double-Ga is to Sa as double-Dha is to ma‘). This allows Amrut Ranjani to visit the territory of Bageshri (DnS), Rageshri (GmD), and Jogeshwari […]
