Ragas of Meditation and Happiness

Vasant Rai and Alla Rakha - ...Play Ragas of Meditation and Happiness

LP released in 1975

Vasant Rai - sarod
Alla Rakha - tablas
Kokila Rai - tamboura

Produced by Jim Richmond, Gerry Halpern, and Vasant Rai

Raga is derived from the Sanskrit word ranga, meaning color or tinge, and is the basic element of classical Indian composition. It consists of a number of tones or notes called swaras, and has a specific form, structure, and sequence. The swaras are indicated by the syllables sa, re, ga, ma, pa, dha, ni, sa. All ragas have a minimum of five notes. They are classified by the number of notes in their ascending scale (aroha) and descending scale (avaroha). The character of each raga is also determined by the sequence of notes and the emphasis placed on certain dominant roles. The dominant note in a raga is called vadi swara; the second most important note is the samvadi swara.
Every raga has its poetic and visual image, including color, form, and emotional mood. In fact, many ragas and raginis have been favorite subjects of Moghul and Rajput miniature painters. Specific ragas are performed at different times, day or night, and for a particular season or occasion.
A unique quality of classical Indian music is the improvisation of the raga within a basic structure. Using this structure, the musician develops the raga and expresses his own interpretation of the melody. He tries to capture the mood of the raga, i.e. joy, pathos, love, loneliness, tranquility, etc. The skill, imagination and virtuosity of the individual artist is revealed in the way he develops the nuances, grace notes, and embellishments of the raga. It is the elusive quality of these grace notes and microtones which makes it difficult to notate Indian music. Since ancient times, music has been handed down from master to pupil and father to son; it remains even today an oral tradition.
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Bhairav is one of the six major ragas. This raga should be performed during the early morning between dawn and sunrise. It has a serene, meditative feeling. It pictures Lord Siva (one of the three aspects of God), covered with ashes, adorned with a serpent, a crescent, and a necklace of skulls.
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Kafi, a light joyous raga of the spring season, is played during the late afternoon, evening, and night. In this raga, Lord Krishna and the gopis (milkmaids), in a playful mood, celebrate the Holi Festival (Spring Festival).
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Misra Pahadi is a light and joyful folk tune from the mountain area of Himachal Pradesh. It is classified as dhun, meaning a light melody in which the artist improvises on different ragas and folk tunes. A dhun is not bound by the strict rules of the classical raga. (Y. G. Srimati)

Tracklisting:

Side One

1. Raga Bhairav {19:25}

Side Two

1. Raga Kafi {10:46}

2. Raga Misra Pahadi {9:31}

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