raga

A raga is a framework for melodic composition and improvisation in Indian classical music. It specifies a set of notes (swaras), rules for how those notes may be used, and characteristic melodic patterns or motifs. A raga is more than a scale; it defines mood, ornamentation, and the paths of ascent and descent that guide melodic development.

In Hindustani (North Indian) music, ragas are described by their ascending and descending scales (aroha and avaroha), permissible notes, and important tones called vadi and samvadi. Performance typically unfolds through improvisation within these rules, beginning with a slow, exploratory alap and progressing to faster sections, supported by rhythm.

In Carnatic (South Indian) music, ragas are organized through the system of melakarta ragas, which comprise 72 parent scales, and numerous derived janya ragas with additional restrictions on notes and phrases. Both systems emphasize gamakas, or expressive ornamentations, and precise intonation to convey the raga’s character.

Ragas are traditionally linked to particular moods, times of day, or seasons, contributing to a larger aesthetic concept called rasa, or emotional flavor. They provide a flexible yet disciplined basis for melodic improvisation and for composing pieces in a performance, with the choice of tala (rhythmic framework) guiding the accompaniment.

Examples include Hindustani ragas such as Yaman, Bhairav, and Darbari Kanada, and Carnatic ragas such as Mayamalavagowla, Todi, and Shankarabharanam. The raga system remains a central organizing principle in both traditions, shaping repertoire and live interpretation.