Vrindavani Sarang

One of the most popular ragas through centuries, belonging to the Sarang group of ragas, this is associated with Vrindavan, the mythical playground of Lord Krishna. Many call it Brindavani Sarang or simply Sarang.  

Thhaat (parent scale)

Kafi

Jaati:

Audav (pentatonic in ascent and descent)

Vaadi:

Rishabh (R)

Samvaadi:

Pancham (P)

Swaras:

Omits Gandhar (G) and Dhaivat (D) but sports both the Nishaads (shuddh N in aaroh and komal n in avaroh); rest shuddh swaras

Aaroh (ascent):

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

Avaroh (descent)

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

Key phrases:

N.S R M R, P M R S, R S R N.S R S, M P n M P, M M P P N N S’, N S’R’N S’, M’M’R’S’, n P M R, P M R S

Time:

Late Morning to noon.

Despite the absence of the meend and gamaks, this is a very sweet melody. The straight notes of this raga make it playful and fond of medium and fast tempo. Slow or extra slow tempo gives it a different character which brings it close to Malhar-anga ragas. (The word anga means- limb or feature; not the entire melodic persona of a raga).   

Bibliography

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

2.      The Oxford Encyclopedia of the Music of India

Links

1.      Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia (flute)

2.      Ustad Vilayat Hussain Khan (vocal)

3.      Pandit Venkatesh Kumar (vocal)

4.      Pandit V G Jog (violin)

Hindustani, Kafi, Late Morning, Vrindavani Sarang