ragas

A raga (also rag or raag) is a melodic framework used in Indian classical music to guide improvisation and composition. It defines a scale or subset of notes, specific ascending and descending patterns (aroha and avaroha), and characteristic melodic motifs (pakad or chalan). Ragas designate emphasis on certain notes, called the vadi (primary) and samvadi (secondary), and prescribe ornamentation such as gamak, meend, and other expressive techniques. They are not fixed tunes but a set of rules for melodic behavior within a performance.

Ragas carry rasa (mood) and are traditionally associated with times of day or seasons, though modern performances are flexible. They are performed within a rhythmic framework (tala) and typically accompanied by a drone (tanpura). In Hindustani music, a raga often unfolds through slow (vilambit) to fast (drut) sections, exploring distinctive phrases; in Carnatic music, ragas are more tightly specified by scale, motifs, and melodic rules, often featuring pre-composed pieces in the raga. The concept developed over centuries, with regional schools and cross-cultural influences shaping its evolution. Ragas remain central to Indian classical music as the principal melodic principle for improvisation and composition.