The Concept & Evolution of Raga in Hindustani and Karnatic Music

This book explains The concept and Evolution of Raga in Hindustani and Karnatic Music and is intended to give the Raga Profile, its image, or Svarupa in detail. This book consists of 4 chapters apart from the Introduction and Conclusion. The first chapter deals with the general history of Raga-s starting from Sama Veda, Marga, Desi, Grama, Murcchana, Jatis, Pann System of Anceint Tamil Music and also Kudumiyanmalai Inscription. The various concept and evolution of Raga aspects have been discussed with references from various Sanskrit texts like Natya Sastra, Naradi Siksa, Brhaddesi, Sangita Sudha, Svaramelakalanidhi and Caturdandi Prakasika. The Second Chapter deals with the Raga the pivotal concept of Indian Music, beginning with Bharata’s Natya Sastra on Jatis and its Dasa laksanas, Murcchanas and Raga definition given by different writers from the original source which have been explained in detail. The evolution of Raga from the Jatis seems to have taken shape after Bharata. The Grama Murcchana Jati system continued even after the birth of Raga. The Third Chapter deals with Mela Janya (Janka Janya) System and the classification of Janya Raga-s in detail. The Fourth Chapter contains two sections, Section I deals with Karnatic Raga-s and its Laksanas in detail with an analysis of each Raga namely Todi, Mayamalavagaula, Bhairavi, Mohanam, Kedaragaula, Kambhoji, Sankarabharanam, Arabhi, Suddha Saveri, Kalyani and Ritigaula. Section II deals with Hindustani Raga-s and its Laksanas in detail together with an analysis of each Raga-s namely Kafi, Bhup, Alaihya Bilaval, Bhairav, desh, Darbari Kanada, Durga, Kedar, Todi and Yaman. This is followed by a general observation on the study of both the systems.