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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 […]

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,

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,

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

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

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

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

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,

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,

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