Raga

RAGAS

A Raga is a combination of sounds or swaras having qualities that give pleasure to the listener. Every Raga has a peculiar _quality of its own. To be acquainted with Ragas, a musician should bear in mind the following points :

1.   Ragas must belong to a Thaat.

2.   At least five notes are essential for a Raga.

3.   In a Raga the melody is very essential.

4.   A Raga must have its own ascent, descent (Aroha and avaroha) and fixed notes (Nadi & Sammdi).

5.   The Sa Swara (C note) is the same note (fixed) in every Raga, and both Ma & Pa are not to be omitted at the same time.

Parts of combination of a raga

There are 4 distinguished parts of a raga/composition/ song.

1.    Sthayi                  First part (face) or introduction.

2.    Antara               Second part or body.

3.    Sanchari               Combination of notes of sthayi & Antra

4.    Abhog                  Some notes of the combination
                       played in the upper octave.