S-R-g-m-P-D-nN-S Derived from the Sanskrit for ‘banishing uncleanliness’, the main raga of the Malhar family is mythically connected to Miyan Tansen, said to have sung it at Emperor Akbar’s 16th-century royal court to summon the monsoon. Still inextricably linked to the rejuvenating effects of rain, Malhar’s twin ni swaras are essential to generating the charged […]
• Raag Miyan ki Malhar •
• Raag Megh •
S-R-m-P-n-S Among the oldest surviving members of the Malhar family, Megh (‘cloud’) is said to have saved the life of Tansen himself. Legend holds that great composer’s forceful rendition of Deepak caused the waters and streams around him to boil, and all the oil lamps to burn uncontrollably in Emperor Akbar’s royal palace. His efforts to […]
• Raag Rang Malhar •
S-R-g-mM-P-D-nN-S From my 2018 Darbar interview with Rupak Kulkarni: “Rang Malhar happened by chance. It was the rainy season, and I was playing in a monsoon festival. I was the last performer, and by the time my turn came then all types of Malhar family ragas had been played already. I thought I should come […]
• Raag Arun Malhar •
S-R-G-m-P-D-nN-S An ancient Malhar variant, marked out by a DDnPDGPm pakad. As per Rajan Parrikar, “although it finds a mention in [Bhatkhande], no details are forthcoming. There are a couple of other works where the raga is treated, but again only in the sketchiest of terms”. Described as a mix of Bilawal, Gaud Malhar, and […]
• 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 Tilak Malhar •
S-R-G-m-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Ramashreya Jha ‘Ramrang’ (2007)— [bandish, e.g. 0:56] SRP(DnPmG), GRS, GR, GR(GRSR)mGRS, SRP(DSPmG), GRS, GR… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see the Full Tag List): Swaras: -4 | 5 | 6 […]
• Raag Surdasi Malhar •
S-R-m-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Venkatesh Kumar (2016)— [refrain, e.g. 1:11] PnP m(R) RSNS (P)S, (nD)n (DP)D (P)m; PnP m(R) RSNS (P)S, (nD)n (DP)D (P)m… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see the Full Tag […]
• Raag Shuddha Malhar •
S-R-m-P-D-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Lalith J. Rao (1994)— [refrain, e.g. 0:36] m\RR PP S\DD (D)SRS, SDP, m\RR PP S\DD (D)SRS… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see the Full Tag List): Swaras: -4 | 5 […]
• 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 Kamod •
S-R-G-mM-P-D-N-S An intricate raga which draws together elements from many others (Tanarang: “this dynamic melody is rather complex…one can see clear shadows of Malhar [SmRP], Hameer [GmDP], and Kalyan [SRS, SDP], together with glimpses of Kedar [MPDP] and Chayanat [PDPS, SRS]”). Distinguishing sequences include RRP, GmPGmRS, the taar Sa is accentuated with long P/S slides, […]
• Raag Jayant Malhar •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Ulhas Kashalkar (2018)— [motifs, e.g. 3:50] RGmG(R), GRG, G mG(R), G(R), G(RGR), RPm\R m(gmg), m(gPmgm) R(SNSN)R, S(NR)mRP, P(mP)n m(R) m\g R(g)mRS, RGmG(R)… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see the […]
• Raag Gaudgiri Malhar •
S-R-g-m-P-n-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Pandit Jasraj (~1980s)— [refrain, e.g. 0:56] m(R)R (S)n n(m), mmm P (PmP) m\g(mgm); m(RSnS)R R(S)n n(m), mmm P (PnP) m\g(mgm); RRR(Sn) n(m), mmm P… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also […]
• Raag Gaud Malhar •
S-R-G-m-P-D-N-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Kishori Amonkar (2003)— [refrain, e.g. 0:47] mP P(DPDPmPDSNS), (SDP)mR m, (m)RS, R(N)S… • 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 […]
• Raag Des Malhar •
S-R-G-m-P-D-nN-S A well-established fusion of the pastoral-themed Desh and the rain-bringing Malhar, spanning the full swara sets of both via characteristic movements such as RmP, PNSRmGR; mPnDP, PNS. Steadily popular with both instrumentalists (e.g. Ali Akbar Khan’s many renditions) and singers (e.g. the Bodas clan’s duets). Dinkar Kaikini’s daughter Aditi Upadhya recounts the inspiration behind the […]
• Raag Chaya Malhar •
S-R-G-m-P-D-N-S Profiled by Parrikar as “a compound melody formed by joining elements of Chaya [particularly its characteristic P\R swoop] to…the Malhar raganga signature [mRm\RP]…The nyas on Pa is important…[whereas] an inapposite nyas on Re or undue brightening of ma may tilt the development towards Nat Malhar”. Listen to his guru Ramrang’s rendition, seasoned with a […]
• Raag Bahar •
S-R-g-m-P-D-nN-S As per Tanarang, Bahar (meaning ‘spring’) “brings out nature’s beautiful blessings…full of shringar and bhakti ras…khatkas and intricate taans are conducive to its dynamic, fleeting nature”. While rooted in the Kanada raganga, the raga features a Malharic twin-Ni, with the shuddha being more prominent. Bageshri hallmarks are also evident in the weak aroha Re, […]
