Explore our curated collection of in-depth articles on ragas, instruments, rhythm, and the history of Indian classical music.
It’s that strange time in the evening when the sun is almost gone, shadows are longer than they should be, and something in the air feels slightly unsettled. That is exactly where Raga Marwa lives. Raga Marwa belongs to the Marwa thaat and is performed in the late afternoon, just before sunset. This time association […]
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Kaunsi Kanada doesn’t reveal itself easily. In fact, many musicians first encounter it through a neat, almost textbook line: “Malkauns in ascent, Darbari in descent.”And while that’s technically helpful, it barely scratches the surface of what this raga really is. Because Kaunsi Kanada is not a formula. It’s an experience you grow into. Pt. Venkatesh […]
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Raga Gawati (also known as Gavati, Gawoti, or Gaoti) is a relatively rare raga in Hindustani classical music. It is often associated with Raga Bheem, and in many traditions, the two are treated as the same or very closely related. What makes Gawati interesting is that it does not have one fixed structure. Instead, it […]
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In Indian classical music, a raga is not merely a collection of notes or a melodic framework. It is a living consciousness; a being that breathes, evolves, and communicates emotion. To the trained ear and sensitive heart, a raga feels alive, capable of expressing love, longing, serenity, or even divine ecstasy. This unique philosophy, where […]
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In the world of Indian classical music, improvisation is the very essence of expression. Every raga performance, whether in the Hindustani or Carnatic tradition, is a journey of spontaneous creation within a deeply structured framework. To the untrained ear, an artist’s extemporaneous elaboration might seem like a free-flowing invention. But behind every phrase lies centuries […]
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Some ragas feel closely tied to a season. The moment you hear them, they seem to bring along a certain atmosphere. Raga Des is one such raga. Often associated with the monsoon, it carries a sense of warmth, nostalgia, and quiet emotional depth. Raga Des is widely performed in Hindustani classical music, but it is […]
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Today marks the 75th birth anniversary of Ustad Zakir Hussain, one of the greatest tabla maestros the world has ever seen. Zakir ji was not only a virtuoso tabla player, but a guiding force who shaped how rhythm was understood, respected, and carried forward in Indian Classical, as well as World Music.For many of us, […]
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Indian classical music, with its profound spiritual and cultural roots, has long been enriched by the contributions of women. From the sacred corridors of temples to the modern stages of international concert halls, women have played pivotal roles in shaping the soundscape of India. Their journey, however, reflects a complex interplay of devotion, societal norms, […]
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In Hindustani classical music, Raga Madhuvanti has carved a special space for itself. It is expressive, romantic, slightly introspective, and deeply melodic. For listeners discovering Indian classical music, Madhuvanti often becomes a gateway raga because of its emotional clarity and accessible beauty. Let’s sit with it for a while. Arshad Khan performs Madhuvanti on Esraj […]
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In Indian classical music, Raga is far more than a mere scale or sequence of notes. It is a living melodic framework, carefully designed to evoke emotion, time, and atmosphere. To understand what truly makes a raga a raga, we must explore its structure, rules, emotional depth, and spiritual significance. What is a Raga? A […]
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When people speak of innovation in Carnatic music, one name definitely rises: U. Srinivas. Known globally as Mandolin Srinivas, he transformed a Western instrument into a powerful voice of Indian classical tradition. His journey from a child prodigy to international icon reshaped the landscape of South Indian Classical Music. This is the story of how […]
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In Indian classical music, rhythm is a living pulse that shapes melody, emotion, and expression. The concepts of Sam, Khali, and the cyclic nature of time together form the soul of laya, the rhythmic flow that sustains all musical creation. Whether it’s the graceful cycle of Drut Teentaal or the meditative expanse in the Vilambit […]
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Raga Bhupali is one of those ragas that almost every student encounters early in their training. At first glance, it looks straightforward. Five notes. Clean structure. Easy to remember. But the more you work with it, the more you realise how precise you have to be. Structure and Technical Framework Bhupali is an audav-audav raga, […]
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If you’ve ever listened to a tabla solo or a Kathak performance and felt something pulse deeper than the beats themselves, you’ve already felt what taal truly is. In Indian classical music, taal is often translated as rhythm or time cycle. But that translation barely scratches the surface. Taal is not just about keeping time, […]
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If you spend enough time around Hindustani Classical Music, Raga Yaman starts showing up everywhere. It appears early in training. It’s recommended again and again. And yet, it never really feels exhausted. It offers clarity instead. What Yaman Really Sounds Like Yaman belongs to Kalyan thaat. The raga uses Tivra Madhyam (Ma♯) and avoids Shuddha […]
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Every year on 4 February, we commemorate the birth anniversary of Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, one of the greatest vocalists in the history of Hindustani classical music. A towering figure of the Kirana gharana, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi’s voice reshaped the way Indian classical music was heard, felt, and remembered. Early Life and Musical Journey of Pandit […]
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Late morning in Hindustani classical music is a strange hour. The day has begun. The world is moving. Noise has entered the room. And yet, there’s still a softness in the air, a space where thoughts haven’t hardened into decisions. This is where Miyan ki Todi lives. Not at dawn, when devotion comes easily.Not at […]
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Pandit Jasraj’s life in music didn’t begin with certainty. It began with loss, discipline, and a long period of figuring things out quietly. Born on 28 January 1930 into the Mewati gharana, he lost his father early. Music remained, but without its first guide. Training came under his elder brother, Pt. Maniram, and it was […]
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Raga Bhairav holds a central place in Hindustani classical music. Known for its grave, meditative mood, Bhairav is traditionally performed at sunrise and is considered one of the oldest ragas still in active practice. It is a raga of restraint and discipline, where depth comes not from complexity but from presence. Bhairav in the Hindustani […]
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Riyaz is often spoken of casually, almost mechanically, as a daily routine, a checklist item, or preparation for performance. But when musicians speak honestly, riyaz reveals itself as something far deeper, and more intimate. The voices from this discussion remind us that riyaz is not merely what we do. It is who we become through […]
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Indian classical music has always walked a delicate line between discipline and freedom, between shastra and anubhava. One of the most debated concepts within this tradition is Gayansamay, the association of specific ragas with particular times of the day. Even today, this idea continues to evoke strong opinions, thoughtful disagreements, and deeply personal reflections. When […]
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Today marks the first death anniversary of Ustad Zakir Hussain, one of the greatest tabla maestros the world has ever seen. Zakir ji was not only a virtuoso tabla player, but a guiding force who shaped how rhythm was understood, respected, and carried forward in Indian Classical, as well as World Music.For many of us, […]
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