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indian raga

35 Ragas {Rags]: A sampling of North & South Indian Scales & Modes.
This brief sampling was originally intended for the guitar forum to convey some
interesting ideas in which to draw upon for improvisation. My source for my thread
is the book 'The Music of India' by H.A. Popley [S.P.C.K. Press, Vepery, Madras
1921]. There apparently have been several re-prints since. My Google Search brings
up a 1996 edition, so it's popularity for over 75 years hopefully speaks to its
authenticity. I am happy to make any corrections. When suggesting any please
include your source for authenticity. I don't mean to be presumptuous, but
according to Mr Popley these are accurate. If any readers have corrections please
speak up [and give your source] so that we may all benefit. Personally I think this
thead is more suitable for the Guitar Lessons Forum which is where it originally
appeared in the Acoustic Guitar Forum. Thank you. MM
In Indian music, North
SaRiGaMaPaDhaNiSa. The
the raga and the ahmsa
center for the weaving
musician.

and South, the solfeggio: 12345671 is called


time of day [below] indicates the traditional setting for
[or sweet spot] refers to a primary note that acts as a
in and out and through of the improvisational threads of the

The solfeggios are written in the ascending form & descending form. At times the
forms are the same, often they are different. The significance of the two forms is
expressed when creating threads that honor the law of the specific rag. For
example: Kamaj, the first entry has 6 notes that can be used when ascending and 7
when descending. The way to perceive this is in relationship to the note preceding
in a thread. Let's say C is the 1 or root; then the ascending notes would be
CEFGABbC. And the descending notes would be CBbAGFE[D]C. So if you were creating a
thread it would be incorrect to play: CDEAFCDBbC. However it would be correct to
play: CEABbA>ascending and GDBbAFDC<descending.
Some of the ragas are directly parallel to modes of the west:
>Harikambodhi=Mixolydian.
>Natabharavi=Aeolian (relative minor).
>Kharaharapriya=Dorian.
Some of the ragas are pentatonics: Hamsadvani, Dhanyhasi, Mohana, Arabhi or
Madhyamavati, as well as some others.
Some are hexatonics ascending & descending: Devamanohari or Marva. Some use
hextonics in the ascending mode only: Kamaj, Ghandari, or Kambodhi.
Noodling with these ragas will plot new territory and possibly evoke some fresh
thinking. I know they have for me. Perhaps they will for you as well. iD
Hindusthani System: North India
Name...Time of Day...............................Solfeggio.......
..................................Ahmsa
Kamaj...anytime..................................1 3 4 5 6 b7 1-1 b7 6 5 4 3 2
1....................3rd
Yaman...evening.................................1 2 3# 4 5 6 7 1-1 7 6 5# 4 3 2
1....................3rd
Jhin-joti...night....................................1 2 3 4 5 6 7 1-1 b 7 6 5 4 3
2 1........root [1]
Tilanga....night.................................. ...1 3 4 5 7 1-1 b7 5 4 3
1....................root
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indian raga
Hindol....evening................................1 3 #4 6 7 1-1 7 6 #4 3
1.................. 3rd & 6th
Dhanasri..afternoon..........................1 b3 4 5 b7 1-1 b7 6 5 4 b3 2
1.............root
Saranga.....noon..............................1 2 4 5 6 b7 7 1-1 7 b7 6 5 4 2
1............2nd
Asavari......evening..........................1 2 4 5 b6 1-1 b7 b6 5 4 b3 2
1.............6th
Ghandari....evening.........................1 2 4 5 b6 b7 1-1 b7 b6 5 4 b3 2
1.........4th
Bihag.......night.............................1 3 4 #4 5 7 1-1 7 6 5 4 3 2
1..................3rd
Kedara.....evening.........................1 4 #4 5 6 b7 7 1-1 7 6 5 #4 4 3 2
1.....Perfect 4th
Bhairava...morning.........................1 b2 3 4 5 b6 7 1- 1 7 b6 5 4 3 b2
1.......b6th
Todi.........evening or morning...........1 b2 b3 #4 5 b6 7 1-1 7 b6 5 #4 b3 b2 1
...3rd
Multani....afternoon/evening.............1 b3 #4 5 7 1-1 7 b6 5 #4 b3 b2
1............#4th
Gauri........afternoon.........................1 b2 #4 5 7 1-1 7 b6 5 #4 3 b2
1............2nd
Marva.......afternoon..........................1 b2 3 #4 6 7 1-1 7 6 #4 3 b2
1............3rd or 4th
Mechakalyani [Kalyan]........evening.........1 3 #4 5 6 7 1-1 7 6 5 #4 4 3 2
1...........3rd

Carnatic System: South India


Name...........Time of Day............................Solfeggio..........
..........................Ahmsa
Hamsadhvani... noon.................................1 2 3 5 7 1-1 7 5 3 2
1.....................5th
Punnagavarali....night...........................b 7 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7-b7 b6 5 4 b3
b 2 1... root
Harikambodhi....night............................. 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 1-1 b7 6 5 4 3 2
1......3rd
Sankarabharana...morning.....................1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 7 1-1 7 b7 6 5 4 3 2
1...3rd
Dhanyasi............morning....................... .1 b3 4 5 b7 1-1 b7 6 5 4 b3 2
1..........7th
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indian raga
Mohana..............noon.......................... ..1 2 3 5 6 1-1 6 5 3 2
1.................3rd
Arabhi................morning..................... ..1 2 4 5 6 1 1 7 6 5 4 3 2
1............................4th
Devamanohari......night........................1 2 4 5 6 b7 1-1 b7 6 5 4 2
1........2nd
Nadanamakriya.....evening..................1 b2 3 4 5 b6 7 1-1 7 b6 5 4 3 b2
1...4th
Chalanata.............night......................1 b3 3 4 5 b7 7 1-1 7 b7 5 4 3 b3
1...3rd
Madhyamavati.....noon........................1 2 4 5 b7 1-1 b7 5 4 2
1.............2nd/4th
Kambodhi..............evening/night..........1 2 3 4 5 6 1-1 7 b7 6 5 4 3 2
1......n/a
Anandabhairavi.....morning..................1 2 b3 4 5 1-1 7 b7 6 5 4 3 2
1.........3rd
Natabharavi............night...................... 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 1-1 b7 b6 5 4
b3 2 1...2nd
Bilahari..................morning................. 1 2 3 5 6 1-1 7 6 5 4 3 2
1.............5th
Sriraga..............evening.....................1 2 4 5 b7 1-1 b7 6 5 4 b3 2
1...........2nd
Suddhanata............night....................1 3 4 5 7 1-1 7 5 4 3
1......................3rd
Kharaharapriya........noon..................1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 1-1 b7 6 5 4 b3 2 1
....5th

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