One of the most enchanting ragas, this is also known for its complex character that vacillates between two parental scales or borrows features (ang) from several ragas like Desh and Bageshree, Sorathh etc.
Thhaat (parent scale)
Khamaj or Kafi
Jaati:
Vakra (complex with meandering ascent and descent)
Vaadi:
Rishabh ( R )
Samvaadi:
Pancham (P)
Swaras:
both Gandhaars (G and g), both Nishaads (N and n); rest shuddh swaras
Aaroh (ascent):
S R, R g R S, n.D.P.R, R G M P, N S’ (Western Notes: C D, D D#, D C, A# D G D, D E F G, B C)
Avaroh (descent)
S’n D P, D M G, R g R S (Western Notes: C A# A G, A F E, D D# D C)
Key phrases:
R S, N.S, D.n.R, R g R S, n. D.P.R, R G M P, M G R g R S, R G M P, n D P, P N S’, D n R’, R’g R’S’, S’n D P, P D M G, R g R S
Time:
Post Midnight
The use of shuddh Gandhaar (G) indicates Khamaj ang (feature) while the komal Gandhaar (g) brings in Kafi ang. It is, therefore, categorized as a ‘Paramel-Praveshak raga’ because this keeps swaying between Khamaj and Kafi Thhaats (parental scales). Albeit a heavy raga with melancholy as its dominant mood, its sweet melody fits into light romantic movements as well. As such musicians enjoy exploring its versalite persona from different angles by highlighting different swaras. Like Desh, this too is associated with Monsoons.
Bibliography
1. Bhatkhande V.N. (1919-1937) ‘Kramik Pustak Malika Vol 1-6’
2. The Oxford Encyclopaedia of the Music of India
3. Ustad Amir Khan, Pioneer of Indore Gharana by Pandit Tejpal Singh
Links
1. Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan (vocal)
2. Ustad Amir Khan (vocal)
3. Ustad Abdul Halim Jaffer Khan (sitar)
4. Vidushi Kishori Amonkar (vocal)
5. Pandit Kumar Gandharva (vocal)
Bhai Baldeep Singh performs a shahbad in Raag Jaijaiwanti at Darbar Festival 2007 with Ravi Shankar Upadhyay (pakhawaj) and Kirpal Singh Panesar (pakhawaj).
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