Krsna Kirtana Songs est. 2001 www.kksongs.org

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Appendix S2: Ragas

From Chapter 11, we studied the properties and the rules on what makes a raga on a technical standpoint. In this chapter, we will learn some ragas which are commonly heard. We will also learn a song associated with it. Since there exists a huge collection of ragas sung and played, it will be difficult to cover each and everyone. Since we are learning about ragas just now, we will uncover two ragas here with two different songs.

RAGA DARBARI

Raga Darbari is a night raga which was invented by Miyan Tansen, one of the best musicians in the history of North Indian classical musicians. Here are the properties of the raga:

Aroha: S R g m P d n S’

Avaroha: S’ d n P – m P n g m R S

Jati: Sampurna-Sampurna

Vadi: g

Samvadi: d

Swarupa: S R g R S ‘d ‘n S

Prahar: 7th prahar (approximately 9 PM to 12 AM)

The song we will learn is Jaya Radha Madhava by Bhaktivinoda Thakura. When we learn full songs, we will learn lines piece by piece. We will learn the refrain first. The word for refrain in Indian music is called a sthayi or an asthayi. Before we go on to the actual learning of the song, I would like to educate you on the lyrics of the song to appreciate the bhajan and glorify Sri Sri Radha Madhava. Please click here for the lyrics and translation: Jaya Radha Madhava.

Here is the asthayi of Jaya Radha Madhava in the eight matra cycle known as kaherva.

X				0
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
						S	S
						ja	ya
X				0
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
S	R	-	S	R	S	R	P
ra	a	a	dha	ma	a	dha	a
X				0
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
m	g	-	g	-	g	g	m
va	a	a	a	a	a	ja	ya
X				0
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
R	R	-	S	‘n	‘d	‘n	R
	kun	n	ja	bi	i	ha	a
X				0
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
S	-	-	-	-		S	S
i	i	i	i			ja	ya

Figure 12.1

Few new things introduced here. Notice that in the first avartan, or rhythmic cycle, we didn’t start singing until matra 7. Matras 7 and 8 are known as upbeats, because they don’t start at the beginning of the cycle. Matra 7 will be a very important matra as far as our words and beginning of melody is concerned. Practice playing and singing this part. If you have a friend or someone to play tabla or mridanga or keep time for you, have them to do that while you sing. Remember, keeping rhythm is very important.

Here is the first verse of the song, or the antara.

X				0
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
						S	S
						ja	ya
X				0
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
S	P	P	P	m	g	g	m
go	pi	ja	na	va	l	l	a
X				0
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
m	-	-	g	R	-	R	R
bha	a	a	a	a	a	ja	ya
X				0
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
g	g	-	R	S	‘n	‘d	‘n
	gi	ri	va	ra	a	dha	a
X				0
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
‘P	-	-	-	S’	-	S	S
ri	i	i	i			ja	ya
X				0
1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
S	P	P	P	m	g	g	m
go	pi	ja	na	va	l	l