For Students --> Ragas

The raga system is unique for and is the basis of Hindustani classical music. A raga is a pattern of musical tones that gives a piece of music its distinctive character. The word "raga" literally means "aesthetically pleasing." In Hindustani classical music, there are many ragas and each has its distinctive qualities.

A raga has five or more notes, some more important than others, which can be presented in the form of ascending and descending scales. Many ragas are associated with certain standard musical phrases which are so well known that the informed listener is able to tell immediately which raga is being performed.

Many ragas should be performed only at certain times of the day or night or during specific periods of the year. Click here to see a classification of ragas by samay (time). A number of ragas express certain moods or emotions, and some are believed to personify gods, ascetics, or devotees.

Ragas can also be classified by thaat.

Bibliography

"Intricacies of Indian Classical Music - The Raga." Know Your Raga. 2009. ITC Sangeet Research Academy. 15 Apr. 2009 <http://www.itcsra.org/sra_raga/sra_raga_index.asp>.

Capwell, Charles. "India, Music of." The New Book of Knowledge®. 2009. Grolier Online. 15 Apr. 2009 <http://nbk.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=a2014520-h>.

Howard, Wayne. "Indian music." Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. 2009. Grolier Online. 15 Apr. 2009 <http://gme.grolier.com/cgi-bin/article?assetid=0147060-0>.