Raga and its elements

What is a raga?

A raga is a melodic framework made of selected notes, moving in a characteristic way, that colours the mind of the listener. The classical definition is "ranjayati iti ragah": that which delights is a raga. A raga is not just a scale; it has typical phrases, important notes and a mood.

Rules for a raga (Hindustani)

• It should be derived from a thaat.
• It must have at least five notes.
• Sa is never omitted.
• Ma and Pa are not both omitted together.
• It should have aroh and avroh, vadi and samvadi, and a jaati.
• It should create ranjakta (pleasing quality).

Elements of raga presentation

• Alap: slow, unhurried elaboration of the raga, note by note, usually without taal. In dhrupad it is sung on syllables such as "nom tom"; in khayal it may use the text or vowel "aa".
• Taan: a fast passage of notes sung or played, usually in the later part of a khayal. Types include sapat (straight) taan, alankarik taan and bol taan (using words of the song).
• Gamak: a forceful, heavy oscillation or shaking of notes that gives weight and grandeur; important in dhrupad and Karnatak music.
• Meend: a smooth glide from one note to another without a break, so the notes in between are heard as one curve. On sitar it is produced by pulling the string.
• Kan (kan-swar or sparsh swar): a grace note touched very lightly just before or after the main note.
• Andolan: a slow, gentle swing on a note, as on komal Re and komal Dha in Bhairav.

Key points

• Raga = melodic framework with fixed notes, characteristic movement and mood.
• Minimum five notes; Sa always present; Ma and Pa not both dropped.
• Alap is slow and without taal; taan is fast.
• Meend = glide; kan = light touch; gamak = forceful oscillation.

Common mistakes

• Calling a raga a "scale"; a thaat is closer to a scale.
• Confusing meend (continuous glide) with kan (very brief touch).
• Thinking a raga can omit Sa if it uses five other notes.