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A Guide to the Kīrtana Rāgas

This reference guide is designed for those who have an understanding and background in Indian classical music. It is our hope that devotee musicians knowledgeable in this area might compose new melodies according to these strict rāgas, or share existing traditional melodies that have already been composed in them.

If you would like to help with this musical endeavor, please reach out at madhukar.das@gmail.com.

Āsāvarī (Asavari)

  • Associated Song(s): Vilasati Dolopari Vanamālī
  • Thaat: Asavari
  • Time: 2nd Prahar of the Day (9 AM to 12 PM)
  • Vadi / Samvadi: Dhaivat (Dha) / Rishabh (Re)
  • Mood & Rasa: Evokes deep devotion, renunciation, and compassion. It is a very soothing morning melody.
  • Mukhya Ang: m P d S' ; r' n d m g r ; g r S
  • Aaroh - Avroh: S r m P d S' — S' r' n d m P d m g r g r ,n ,d r S
  • Study Link: Raag Asawari / Komal Rishabh Asawari on Tanarang

Bhairava (Bhairav)

  • Associated Song(s): Jaya Jaya Rādhe Madhava-dayite
  • Thaat: Bhairav
  • Time: 1st Prahar of the Day (6 AM to 9 AM)
  • Vadi / Samvadi: Dhaivat (Dha) / Rishabh (Re)
  • Mood & Rasa: Known as the "king of morning rāgas." It produces an intense, majestic, and deeply devotional atmosphere.
  • Mukhya Ang: r r S ; d d P ; G m d d P ; G m r r S ; ,N S
  • Aaroh - Avroh: S r G m P d N S' — S' N d P m G r S
  • Study Link: Raag Bhairav on Tanarang

Bhairavī

  • Associated Song(s): Udilo Aruna
  • Thaat: Bhairavi
  • Time: 1st Prahar of the Day (6 AM to 9 AM), though often sung at the conclusion of any event (Sarv Kalik).
  • Vadi / Samvadi: Madhyam (Ma) / Shadj (Sa)
  • Mood & Rasa: The "queen of melodies." It creates a sobering, peaceful environment full of love, piety, and surrender.
  • Mukhya Ang: g S r S ; g m P ; d m d n S' ; r' S' d P g m r S
  • Aaroh - Avroh: S r g m P d n S' — S' n d P m g r S
  • Study Link: Raag Bhairavi on Tanarang

Bhātīyāri (Bhatiyar)

  • Associated Song(s): Śuno, He Rasika Jana
  • Thaat: Marwa
  • Time: 4th Prahar of the Night (3 AM to 6 AM)
  • Vadi / Samvadi: Shuddha Madhyam (Ma) / Shadj (Sa)
  • Mood & Rasa: A complex and deeply stirring melody that naturally creates a heavy, slightly anxious atmosphere.
  • Mukhya Ang: S m P ; P G r S ; S D N D ; N P ; D m ; P G ; P G r S ; M D S'
  • Aaroh - Avroh: S r S ; S m ; m D P ; S D ; D N P m ; P G ; M D S' — S' r' N D P ; D N P m ; P G r S
  • Study Link: Raag Bhatiyar on Tanarang

Dhānaśī (Dhanashree - Bhairavi Ang)

  • Associated Song(s): Bahirmukha Ha'ye, Māyāre Bhajiye; Jīve Kṛpā Kari', Golokera Hari; Yamunā-puline; Deva! Bhavantam Vande
  • Thaat: Bhairavi
  • Time: 3rd Prahar of the Day (12 PM to 3 PM)
  • Vadi / Samvadi: Pancham (Pa) / Shadj (Sa)
  • Mood & Rasa: Highly devotional and contemplative, perfect for afternoon reflections.
  • Mukhya Ang: S; g m P n d P ; P d m P g ; m g r S ; g m P g r S
  • Aaroh - Avroh: ,n S g m P n S' — S' n d P m P g m g r S
  • Study Link: Raag Dhanashree on Tanarang

Jhijhita (Jhinjhoti / Lalita Jhijhita)

  • Associated Song(s): Ohe Harināma, Tava Mahima Apāra
  • Thaat: Khamaj
  • Time: 2nd Prahar of the Night (9 PM to 12 AM)
  • Vadi / Samvadi: Gandhar (Ga) / Nishad (Ni)
  • Mood & Rasa: A very light, playful, and romantic rāga.
  • Mukhya Ang: ,D S R m G ; R G S R ,n ,D ,P ,D S ; ,P ,D S R G m G ; m G R S ; R ,n ,D S
  • Aaroh - Avroh: S R m P D S' — S' n D P m G R G S
  • Study Link: Raag Jhinjhoti on Tanarang

Kāmoda (Kamod)

  • Associated Song(s): Janama Saphala Tāra; Krsna-Vamśī-gīta Śuni'
  • Thaat: Kalyan
  • Time: 1st Prahar of the Night (6 PM to 9 PM)
  • Vadi / Samvadi: Pancham (Pa) / Rishabh (Re)
  • Mood & Rasa: Dynamic and playful, combining elements of deep devotion with the mild pangs of separation.
  • Mukhya Ang: S (m)R R P ; G m P G m R S ; S' R' S' ; D D P ; m R P ; D M P ; G m R S
  • Aaroh - Avroh: S R P ; G m R S ; m R P ; D N S' — S' N D P ; M P D P ; G m P ; G m R S
  • Study Link: Raag Kamod on Tanarang

Khāmbāja (Khamaj)

  • Associated Song(s): Kabe Habe Bolo
  • Thaat: Khamaj
  • Time: 2nd Prahar of the Night (9 PM to 12 AM)
  • Vadi / Samvadi: Gandhar (Ga) / Nishad (Ni)
  • Mood & Rasa: Light and enthralling. Perfectly suited for poetic moods of separation and union.
  • Mukhya Ang: G m P D; G m G; P S' N S'; n D p; m P m G; R S
  • Aaroh - Avroh: S G m P D N S' — S' n D P m G R G S ,N S G m P
  • Study Link: Raag Khamaj on Tanarang

Lalita (Lalit)

  • Associated Song(s): Vibhāvarī-śeṣa; Śrī Rūpa-vadane (verses 1-2)
  • Thaat: Poorvi
  • Time: 4th Prahar of the Night (Pre-dawn/3 AM to 6 AM)
  • Vadi / Samvadi: Shuddha Madhyam (Ma) / Shadj (Sa)
  • Mood & Rasa: Sweet and mellifluous. It is highly effective in producing feelings of devotion and compassion.
  • Mukhya Ang: ,N r G m M m G r S ; G M d N d M m; r' N d M m; G m M m; G; M G r S
  • Aaroh - Avroh: ,N r G M d N S' — S' N d; M d M m; G M G r S
  • Study Link: Raag Lalit on Tanarang

Saurāștri & Rāginī Surat (Sorath)

  • Associated Song(s): Jaya Jaya Ballava-rāja-kumāra (Saurāștri); Kabe Habe Bolo (Rāginī Surat)
  • Thaat: Khamaj
  • Time: 2nd Prahar of the Night (9 PM to 12 AM)
  • Mood & Rasa: Light, soothing, and pleasing to the ear. It often evokes feelings of longing and gentle devotion.
  • Study Link: Indian Classical Raag Index on Tanarang

Sindhudā (Sindhura)

  • Associated Song(s): Śrī Rādhā-Krsna-padakamale (verse 6 onward)
  • Thaat: Kafi
  • Time: 4th Prahar of the Day (3 PM to 6 PM)
  • Vadi / Samvadi: Shadj (Sa) / Pancham (Pa)
  • Mood & Rasa: A light, flittering rāga perfectly suited for expressive, joyful melodies.
  • Mukhya Ang: R m P D ; n D P S' ; R' g' R' S' ; n D P m g R ; m g R S
  • Aaroh - Avroh: S R m P D S' — S' n D P m g R m g R S
  • Study Link: Raag Sindhura on Tanarang

Śrīrāga (Shree)

  • Associated Song(s): Gopīnātha Mama Nivedana Śuno
  • Thaat: Poorvi
  • Time: 4th Prahar of the Day (3 PM to 6 PM / Sunset)
  • Vadi / Samvadi: Rishabh (Re) / Pancham (Pa)
  • Mood & Rasa: Deeply devotional and solemn. A majestic rāga meant to invoke deep spiritual focus.
  • Mukhya Ang: S ,N r ; r r P ; M Pd M G r G r S ; M P N S' r' ; r' N d P ; M d M G r ; G r S
  • Aaroh - Avroh: S r M P N S' — S' r' N d P M P d M G r S
  • Study Link: Raag Shree on Tanarang

Suhai (Suha / Sughrai)

  • Associated Song(s): Śrī Rādhā-Krsna-padakamale (verses 1-5)
  • Thaat: Kafi
  • Time: 2nd Prahar of the Day (9 AM to 12 PM)
  • Vadi / Samvadi: Pancham (Pa) / Shadj (Sa)
  • Mood & Rasa: Deep and resonant, frequently emphasizing the upper octaves to create an uplifting devotional mood.
  • Mukhya Ang: P n m P S' ; n n P m R S R (m)g ; g m R S
  • Aaroh - Avroh: ,n S ; (m)g (m)g m ; P n P ; P n m P S' — S' P n P m P (m)g m R S
  • Study Link: Raag Suha Sughrai on Tanarang

Vasanta (Basant)

  • Associated Song(s): Madhuripur Adya Vasante; Jaya Jaya Sundara Nanda-kumāra
  • Thaat: Poorvi
  • Time: 2nd Prahar of the Night (9 PM to 12 AM), but can be sung anytime during the Spring season.
  • Vadi / Samvadi: Tar Shadj (Sa) / Pancham (Pa)
  • Mood & Rasa: Literally translating to "Spring," this melody represents the season of blooming.
  • Mukhya Ang: M d r' S' ; N S' r' N d P ; G M d N M G ; M d G M G ; M G M G r S
  • Aaroh - Avroh: S G M d N S' — S' N d P M G M N d M G r S
  • Study Link: Raag Basant on Tanarang

Vibhāsa (Vibhas / Mangala Vibhāṣa / Lalita Vibhāṣa)

  • Associated Song(s): Viśve Udita Nāma-tapana; Jňānī Jñāna-yoge; Vācya, Vācaka; Jīva Jāgo; Nanda-kiśora; Harināma Tuwā Aneka Svarūpa
  • Thaat: Bhairav
  • Time: 1st Prahar of the Day (6 AM to 9 AM)
  • Vadi / Samvadi: Dhaivat (Dha) / Rishabh (Re)
  • Mood & Rasa: Carries a heavy, grounded feel that is perfect for instilling a state of pure devotion.
  • Mukhya Ang: P d d P ; G P G r S
  • Aaroh - Avroh: S r G P d S' — S' d P G r S
  • Study Link: Raag Vibhas on Tanarang