The Score Magazine June 2021 issue! | Page 21

EASWARAN ANANTRAM

Scientific as it is , a Raga will follow a set of principles or rules . I will first take you through the basic terminology and rules , and then explain the most important rule that supersedes them .

We have previously seen the 7 Notes or the Saptaswara . They are further classified as Shuddha Swaras (“ Pure Notes ”) and “ Vikrut Swaras ” (“ Warped Note ”). It is to be noted that “ Sa ” and “ Pa ” are Achala Swaras – meaning non-moving . This implies that they do not have a “ Vikrut ” alternative . Vikrut swaras are further classified as :

1 . Komal Swaras : the ones that fall down from their Shuddha frequency position . The swaras Re , Ga , Dha and Ni have komal alternatives

2 . Tivra Swaras : the ones that rise up from their Shuddha frequency position . Only Ma has the capability to be Tivra

So , in totality there are 7 Shuddha swaras and 5 Vikrut Possibilites making a total of 12 musical notes to play with .

Rules for a Raga to be in existence

Now , the rules for a Raga to be in existence are as follows :

1 . The Shadjam cannot be absent . The Shadjam or “ Sa ” as we know it is the base note and it cannot be absent in a Raga

2 . The Madhyam and the Pancham cannot both be simultaneously absent in a Raga . At least one of the two has to be present .

3 . The Raga must have a definite ascending and a definite descending of notes . The Ascending is called the Aaroh and the Descending is called the Avaroh

4 . A raga must have a minimum of 5 notes in Aaroh and Avaroh separately .

The last is the most important rule of all . This supersedes all other rules . “ Ranjayati Iti Raagah ” that which pleases the ear , which causes a distinct emotion to rise in the heart is a Raga

There are a lot of Ragas which also fall into the exception of at least 1 of the 4 rules mentioned . But no Raga flouts the rule of the pleasing notes .

Classification of Ragas - Jaati

Ragas have a proper system of classification and are distinguished on the basis of 1 . Number of notes in the Raga ( both Aaroh and Avaroh ) 2 . The Family of Ragas from which it is derived called

Thaat or Mael or Melakarta 3 . Time at which the Raga is supposed to be sung

On the basis of the number of notes in the Raga , there are 3 main types or Jaati : 1 . Audav Jaati : When the Aaroh or Avaroh have 5 notes exactly 2 . Shadav Jaati : When the Aaroh or Avaroh have 6 notes and finally

Sampoorna Jaati : When the Aaroh or Avaroh have all the 7 notes

The first Jaati denotes the Jaati of the Aaroh where as the second is for the Avaroh .

The next article will cover the Family of Ragas or the Thaat and Melakarta Systems . The Time theory of Ragas again a vast topic would have a dedicated Article . Happy Reading !

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