EASWARAN ANANTRAM

After gaining a basic understanding the alphabet of Music - the Saptaswara ( The 7 musical notes ), it is necessary to understand that music as a language is for the expression of emotions .

In Sanskrit , the emotion is called as Bhava . Bhava is the state of mind . It is abstract . A Bhava cannot be explained by words . Words only help to manifest the Bhava . Happiness is a Bhava . Happiness itself cannot be defined with words , but happiness manifests itself in expression to become laughter or a smile .

Rasa which literally translates to juice or essence is the expression of Bhava or the manifestation of a Bhava through the body is called a Rasa .

The 8 Rasa corresponding to the aforementioned Bhava are as follows 1 . Shrungarah : Beauty , Romance – Rati Bhava . It can be seen that Romance or beauty is the expression of Love Lord Vishnu is the presiding deity of the Rasa . The Lush green colour signifies the Rasa

2 . Hasyam : Laughter – Hasya Bhava . Laughter is the expression of Happiness or amusement . The purity of happiness is expressed through White as the colour with Shiva being the presiding deity

3 . Karunyam : Compassion ( at times tears ) – Shoka Bhava . Compassion is the manifestation of sadness in the physical realm . The Lord of Death – Yama is the presiding deity and Grey is the colour of compassion

4 . Raudram : Fury – Krodha Bhava . Fury is the expression of Anger . Red is the colour of anger and Shiva is the presiding deity of the Raudra Rasa

5 . Veeram : Heroism or Courageousness is the manifestation of Utsaha Bhava . The king of the Devas Lord Indra is the presiding deity and is expressed as Saffron as a colour .

6 . Bhayanakam : Fear is expressed as a consequence to Bhaya Bhava or Terror . Again , the Lord of death , Yama is the preceding deity of the Rasa while Black is the colour used for expressions of fear .

7 . Bibhastam : Aversion is the response to the Jugupsa Bhava or the emotion of disgust . Shiva is the presiding deity of the Rasa while it is expressed by using a deep hue of blue

8 . Adbhutam : Amazement or Surprise is the manifestation of

Vismaya Bhava the emotion of Astonishment . Brahma the Creator is the presiding Deity and is expressed by the colour Yellow

9 . The ninth Rasa “ Shantam ” was added by scholars after a careful studying .

10 . Shantam : Peace or Tranquillity . Lord Vishnu is the presiding deity and is expressed by using the colour of Clear White

In Music , with the help of the seven notes , we may be able to create the manifestation of these emotions . The musical tool used for the same is called as a Raga . A Raga is a collection of notes in a specific order , in ascending as well as descending which have the capability to create or enhance a specific mood .

The Ascending scale of the notes of a Raga is called as Aaroh and the Descending is called as Avaroh . The Aaroh and Avaroh describe the structure of the raga . Some more aspects of the raga are : Vadi-Samvadi ( The conservationists ), and Thaat ( The Parent Scale )

A couple of Ragas with their mood are 1 . Raag Hamsadhwani : Invokes instant happiness . Hasyam 2 . Raag Gujari Todi : Expressing a mellow mood , Karunyam

I hope that you now have a brief understanding of Ragas .

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