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 Rang Malhar •
• Raag Ramkali •
S-r-G-mM-P-d-nN-S Resembling ‘Bhairav with touches of tivra ma and komal ni in avroh’, Ramkali is an early morning raga, often associated with Sikh saintly traditions (“the emotions in Ramkali are like those of a wise teacher disciplining their student, who is aware of the pain of learning…”). Though generally similar to Bhairav, Ramkali focuses more on […]
• Raag Purba •
S-r-G-mM-P-dD-N-S A rare raga of the Jaipur-Atrauli gharana, described by Rajan Parrikar as “essentially Raag Poorvi adorned with bells and whistles” (namely, the Ma-mixing catchphrases Sm, mGP and M, MP Pd, dNdP). Mewati innovator Pandit Jasraj also recorded his own captivating rendition, seasoned by the liberal inclusion of shuddha Dha. Also hear Vilayat Khan on surbahar. […]
• Raag Pancham se Pilu •
S-R-G-mM-P-D-nN-S A murchana rotation of Pilu (literally: ‘Pilu from Pa’) – i.e. if you treat this raga’s Pa as the ‘new Sa’, Pilu is produced (…in its ‘komal dha-less’ form). Pilu’s doubled gG–nN swaras, separated by a Perfect 5th, are thus transformed into Pancham se’s nN–mM (i.e. the murchana’s main effect is to trade Pilu’s […]
• Raag Lalita Gauri •
S-r-G-mM-P-dD-N-S Created by Jaipur-Atrauli vocalist Kesarbai Kerkar, who often employed it as a concert centrepiece. Blending Lalit and Gauri via, respectively, “the close coupling of the two madhyams…[and] appropriate clusters on and in the vicinity of the mandra Ni”, the raga typically takes a shuddha Dha (giving a Poorvi inclination), but can use the komal variant instead […]
• Raag Amiri Todi •
S-rR-g-m-P-dD-n-S Created by sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan in 1974, inspired by vocalist Amir Khan. As recounted to Indian Express in 2009: “My love and reverence for Khansaheb does not stem only from his music, but for his truly kind and humble nature. When he died, it appeared as if the light had gone out […]
• 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 Sonakshi •
S-r-G-mM-P-dD-N-S From my 2018 Darbar interview with Maihar bansuri maestro Rupak Kulkarni: “I created Sonakshi [‘Golden-Eyed‘] so I could experience a raga which was suitable for any time of day. I believe we have different mindsets depending on the hour: in the morning our mood is spiritual and fresh, and in the evening it is […]
• 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 Tilak Bhairav •
S-rR-G-m-P-dD-N-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Dhruv Tara Joshi (~1960s)— [alap, e.g. 0:30] N(RSN) (P)S, SGR, Rm(P)G, G(RSG)R G, (S)G, (Pm)G\r S; S(m)R m(G)P(G), P(GmG)d P, Pd(mPm), PD mP(mG), S(G)RG\r S… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more […]
• Raag (Shuddha) Chaya •
S-R-G-mM-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Soumya Chakraverty (2018)— [refrain, e.g. 3:10] D, D PP(M)P, PmR G m DPGGm R, (S)NN S, D, D… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see the Full Tag List): Swaras: -4 […]
• Raag Sazgiri •
S-r-G-mM-P-dD-N-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Fateh Ali Khan (~1980s)— [Swaras] • 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: […]
• Raag Saraswati Kedar •
S-R-G-mM-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Prakash Vishwanath Ringe (2000)— http://www.tanarang.com/Bandishen/Saraswati-Kedar/Sadra%20-%20Chatur%20Balma%20aayo%20mandirwa%20-%20Jhaptl%20%20Vilambit%20-%20PVR.mp3 [bandish, e.g. 0:25] (G)RMP, D(N)R S(NnDn), DPDP, PM(DP)m, SRRS, m\R RP(MP) MP, N\D D/R S\n, DP, (M)RMP, D(N)R S(NnDn)… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also […]
• Raag Roopkali •
S-rR-G-mM-P-d-N-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Khadim Hussain Khan (1970s)— [refrain, e.g. 0:01] MP d, PdN dP, mR P, d (P), (PM)P, m(RmRPm) G\rSS, SrGmP, (PM)P, (PM)PP P(d) PM/P d(Nd)N dP P, (R)m\R P, d (P)… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, […]
• Raag Rati Bhairav •
S-r-G-m-P-dD-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Kumar Gandharva (~1980s)— [refrain, e.g. 18:18] m, (G)m (G)r\S, G, m, PD(N)S, S(nDnPm), m(PDnDnP) G(mG)G\r(G)S, S\d, N S, m, m(P)… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see the Full Tag […]
• 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 Rageshri Bahar •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —V.R. Athavale (1988)— [Swaras] • 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 […]
• Raag Patdeepaki •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Ashwini Bhide-Deshpande (2020)— [bandish, e.g. 4:23] S(NS)mg (RS)R NS, S, (N)SS (N)SS, NS(gRgRSRSNS)N (D)NS (NS), PN(N)S S; SS G(m)m, mm(GmG) P(GmGmRmG)G, GGm(G)g/m (R)S, NRSN(SPNS), PN(N)S… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more […]
• Raag Pancham se Gara •
S-R-G-mM-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Ravi Shankar (1967)— [refrain, e.g. 0:57] (S)NN N(S) N(SN), D(ND) D(PM)P, M(PM) MMP D(SnS) D(SD) P(MP), G m(G) P… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see the Full Tag List): […]
• Raag Nat Bihag •
S-R-G-mM-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Waseem Ahmed Khan (2021)— [refrain, e.g. 3:02] G(mG) m/n(D) D(nP)P, P(mPmP), (DPDPmPmPDP)m m(Gm)G, (GR)G GR(GR)m, S(GmGmG)P (P)mG, GmR (N)S, (NSR)N S, G(Pm) m/n(D) D(nP) P… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more […]
• Raag Nagadhwani Kanada •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Pandit Jasraj (1977)— [bandish, e.g. 0:58] P(nPn) m(Pm) m(Pmn) n(Pm) g(mgSn) nS, m\g m m(gm)P (m)gm, n(P)P; n(Pm)g g(Pm) m(g)m, m(g) n(S), mmm m(n)P m(g)m; P P/RR, S N(SN)S, D(nDnSnSR) R(SNSnDnDPD)G, (G)P D n S… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga […]
• Raag Medhavi •
S-R-G-mM-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Ali Akbar Khan (1967)— [motifs, e.g. 6:14] (N)SN/S D/NP D/N, D, D, (G)mP, D(NSRS)N, RG(m)m, GR RG G(RS), N(SNSND), D… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see the Full Tag […]
• Raag Manj Khamaj •
S-R-G-mM-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Ravi Shankar (1969)— [theme, e.g. 11:13] GmG RS(R), n(S) S(RS) n(S) D, DnSG m, S(NS)N(S), P/nD(P), (m)GmG RS, Gm Pm… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see the Full Tag […]
• Raag Mangal Todi •
S-r-g-mM-P-d-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Shounak Abhisheki (2021)— [bandish, e.g. 5:15] Sr/m grgr, (S)r grS (Sd)nd S; SrgM(dMd) dd, dd(MGrGMdn)S nrS(nSnd) M(dMgrSrg)m, mm/nd(M) g(Mg)r S/r, g\S, nd S… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see […]
• Raag Lachari Todi •
S-R-gG-m-P-dD-n-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Amjad Ali Khan (2022)— [motifs, e.g. 2:48] RnSRG, G(m), G(mR), (G)m, m, m(GP), P(D) m(P) m(gR), R; P/n n\P, P(d) m(P), m(gR), m P/S n\d, n\d(P) P; P/g S/R, S/g S/R, R\S S(nSP), P(S)n, n/S, n(dP) P; m\R mP(n), D, D, […]
• Raag Khat Todi •
S-r-g-mM-P-d-nN-S In Parrikar’s summary, Khat Todi is described as an “uncommon [double-Ma] prakar…mostly sung by Jaipur-Atrauli and Agra musicians. In the main body of Todi, a small phrase of Khat is introduced” (i.e. the raga is more like ‘Todi seasoned with Khat’ rather than a more evenly-weighted combo). He cites two different Khat strains used by […]
• Raag Kabiri Bhairav •
S-r-G-m-P-dD-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Mallikarjun Mansur (1968)— [bandish, e.g. 0:02] mP (dn)d/r S, (N)Sdm, mP (P)G, Gm (r)Sr (G)m, mP P, (S)dm (Gm)P G, GmPm G\r S(rS)S, (mG)m mP P, P(dP)N\P PP(dP)d m, m(Gm)P PG(PG)mm, mP(dP)d/r S, S\d mP Gm (r)Sr (G)m… • Classifiers • […]
• 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 Jaijaiwanti Nat •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Bhimsen Joshi (1997)— [refrain, e.g. 2:07] (S)G mGR, (GR)G RS, PNR(NP), (S)G\R (GR)S, S/G, G(mG)G/m GR (GR)S, (S)G\R, R… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see the Full Tag List): […]
• 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 Gara •
S-R-gG-m-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Ravi Shankar (2001)— [refrain, e.g. 1:12] (SNS)N S(mR) R(mgmgRgRS), (RS)R SS(RS), (nDP)DP (PD)PD N(SN), N(SN), S, (NSR)S (nD)n, R, RR, Rg(Rmg) (R)SS, N(SmRmg), g(RgR), (RSNS)N N(SN), S(mR), R(gRmgRg), (RS)R S(RS), (nD)nD (DPD)PD N(SN), (nD)PDNS NS… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga […]
• 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 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 Chandni Kedar •
S-R-G-mM-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Budhaditya Mukherjee (2016)— [gat, e.g. 10:06] M(P)M DDP, m(G)m m, M(P)M P(M)P, (S)D D/RS(N)S (D)NDP, M(P)M DDP… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more (also see the Full Tag List): Swaras: -4 | […]
• 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 is similar to Jogiya [SrmdPdS: also Gunakri], and it has a small portion of Shivmat Bhairav” [e.g. rgrS], giving pakad such as Srm; GrS rrS; […]
• Raag Bhavmat Bhairav •
S-r-gG-m-P-d-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Kumar Gandharva (~1970s)— [bandish, e.g. 0:26] PN S/G(r) r(S)S, S(NrSN)S, S(NS)N (Nd)P, NS(r) S(NS)N, S(Nd), NS/G(r) r(S)S, (N)S S, N(SR), SR(SN)SN\dP P, NS(RSN)S (GS)G r(S)S, (N)S… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & […]
• Raag Basanti Kanada •
S-r-G-mM-P-D-nN-S [summary] • Raga Megalist (365+) • Search | Glossary | Tags • Hindustani Raga Index • —Arun Dravid (1984)— [refrain, e.g. 1:23] D m G, G GM(d)M\G, (M)G rS, (S)G rS, S(NR)S, Sm, m m\G, P m\G, G(m)D DP, DPDND, PDnDP… • Classifiers • Explore hidden inter-raga connections: swara geometries, melodic features, murchana sets, ragangas, & more […]
• Raag Adarangi Todi •
S-r-g-mM-P-d-nN-S A double-ma, double-ni Todi variant linked to 18th-century composer Naimat Khan ‘Sadarang’ and his nephew Feroze Khan ‘Adarang’, who served at the court of Mughal Emperor (and prolific arts patron) Muhammad Shah. While the raga’s historical lineage remains half-sketched, Ali Akbar Khan took to performing it later in his career. Sometimes given the alternate […]
• 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 – while the name presumably derives from the mostly-congruent Carnatic Abheri. Remains rare on […]
