Raamdaasi Malhaar

A rare varity of raga belonging to the Malhaar group, it is considered to be invented by Baba Raam daas, a Nayak (musicologist) in Emperor Akbar’s court (16th century) and a contemporary of Miyan Tansen.

Thhaat (parent scale)

Kafi

Jaati:

Sampoorn-Shaadav (7-notes in ascent and 6-notes in descent)

Vaadi:

Madhyam (M)

Samvaadi:

Shadja (S)

Swaras:

Employs Shuddh Gandhaar (G) and Nishaad (N) in the aaroh (ascending order), and Komal Gandhaar (g) and Nishaad (n) in the avaroh (descending order); rest shuddh swaras   

Aaroh (ascent):

S R G M P D N S’ (Western Notes: C D E F G A B C)

Avaroh (descent)

S’ n P M, g M R S (Western Notes: C A# G F, D# F D C)

Key phrases:

R G M P, g M R S, R N. S, n.P.M.P.D.N.S, M R P, M M n P, P D N S’, S’R’N S’, n P, P g M R S 

Time:

Any time during Monsoons

This raga is like a twin of Miyan ki Malhar, a creation of Tansen. The Shuddh Gandhaar (G) in ascent and the vakra (deviously touched) Komal Gandhaar (g) gives it a different character and sets it apart from Miyan Malhar. Some gharana musicians do not use the Shuddh Gandhaar at all.

Bibliography

1.      Bhatkhande V.N. (1919-1937) ‘Kramik Pustak Malika Vol 1-6’

2.      The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Music of India

3.      Ustad Amir Khan, Pioneer of Indore Gharana by Pandit Tejpal Singh

4.      Abhinav Geetanjali by Pandit Ramashreya Jha ‘Ramrang’

Links

1.      Ustad Amir Khan (vocal)

2.      Ustad Ali Akbar Khan (sarod)

3.      Pandit Ramashreya Jha (vocal)

4.      Pandit Tejendra Narayan Majumdar (sarod)

5.      Pandit Venkatesh Kumar (vocal)

Hindustani, Kafi, Monsoon, Raamdaasi Malhaar