Let Emotions Flow With Carnatic Emotional Ragas

In Indian classical music, Raga refers to a specific melodic mode where musical notes are performed in predetermined patterns. Distinct ragas make use of varied combinations of notes, thereby creating a diversity in harmony, scales, moods and obviously the impact on listeners. In simpler terms, this Sanskrit word indicates hue or color and is applied to showcase varied shades of tonal moods and harmony. They are termed as melodies that have an exceptional musical notation in Carnatic music. The modification of ragas by Carnatic musicians is highly admirable as it showcases the ‘miracle of Carnatic music.’ In this article, we are describing 5 ragas that has the ability to evoke emotions in the mind of the listeners.

Raga Kambhoji is one such raga that can best explicit the sense of humor. When chanted in higher octaves, raga Kambhoji can transmit the feel of humor easily. One of the most popular ragas in Carnatic music, Kambhoji is equipped with alluring characteristic prayogas that makes it exceptional and unmatched. Not symmetrical in descent and ascent, this raga’s prayogas makes it exclusively captivating and unfathomable. The notes used by this raga include Antara Gandhara, Pancama, Chatusruti Rishabha, Suddha Madhyama and others in ascent whereas Kaisiki Nishada during descent.  

Raga Vasantha is one of the most prominent ragas in Carnatic music that is best suited to sing in the evenings. This raga guides in the fest spirit and dismisses fear and brings a light of hope. “Vasantha” basically means springtime and so this raga has been perfectly named as all it is linked up with positivity and hope. Derived from 17th Mela Suryakantham, that corresponds to Bhairav Thaat of Hindustani Sangeet, this is among the oldest form of ragas.

Derived from the 15th Melakarta raga Mayamalavagowla, Saveri raga brings out karuna rasa which simply means it showcases the mood of pity. Rich in gamakas, this raga requires to be rendered moderately with the singers savoring every phrase and taking a short pause for the notes to fall in. It is a form of gentle melody that needs to be presented in an easygoing way. This raga composition includes Tyagaraja’s Ramabana & Dikshithar’s Sri Rajagopala and Shyama Shastry’s Durusuga and Shankari Shankari.

To sum up, ragas are composed in a way that swaras or notes are arranged in specific fashion. It is always advisable to perform those ragas that reflect your emotion or mood. Though Carnatic music is complicated that need expert assistance to understand, but now it has become possible to learn from the comfort of your place. Thanks to the online sangeetham classes that have made it easier for singers to learn their desired ragas without any hassle.