Sitars, Ragas and Indian Classical Music

Tunings For Ragas

I've recently been taking a break from raga yaman and have been tinkering with raga bhimpalasi. I will post a video at the end of the post to give you an idea what this raga sounds like.

However, first I want to list some tunings for various ragas. Tunings for ragas can vary quite a lot depending on which school/style that you follow so the following tunings are just guidelines and changes can certainly be made. I will start with the main playing string (Ma) and work down towards the high pitched strings. You may need to adapt them for your sitar, I use a Gandhar Pancham so it may be different to yours.


(these ragamala paintings don't all correspond to the raga listed)


Raga Yaman

Main Strings
ma, Sa, Ga, Pa, Sa, Sa

Taraf Strings (low to high)
Ni, Sa, Sa, Re, Ga, Ga, Ma, Pa, Pa, Dha, Ni, Sa', Re'



Raga Bhimpalasi

Main Strings
ma, Sa, ma, Pa, Sa, Sa

Taraf Strings (low to high)
ni, Dha, Sa, Sa, Re, ga, ma, Pa, Pa, Dha, ni, Sa', Re'



Raga Bageshri

Main Strings
ma, Sa, ma, Dha, Sa Sa

Taraf Strings (low to high)
ni, Dha, Sa, Sa, Re, ga, ma, ma, Pa, Dha, ni, Sa', Re'



Raga Bhairavi

Main Strings
ma, Sa, ma, Pa, Sa, Sa

Taraf Strings (low to high)
ni, dha, Sa, Sa, re, ga, Ma, Pa, Pa, dha, ni, Sa', re'



Now, here is a wonderful version of raga bhimpalasi by Nikhil Banerjee. This alap is mesmerizing, truly magical. 



34 comments:

Delirium Tiger said...

Nice i didn't tought that i will find something like that by accident :p I have one or two CD's of Ravi Shankar. Happy to share intrests

tissue rejection said...

I really like this one

Magnum said...

I like it. Do you know The Yardbirds' 'Heart Full of Soul - Sitar version'?

LiquorKing said...

very beautiful song

kite1099 said...

nice melody.

Alexis said...

@Magnum, no I don't think I know that one, I'll check it out though!

Unknown said...

beautifullllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll

srnajera said...

coool song ;)

Nicole said...

thats actually very beautiful! followed

Anonymous said...

I just the sound of a Sitar, it sounds from another era.

charlie tuna said...

This is pretty sweet. Thanks for sharing.

Jesse Crows said...

this stuff is cool. im thinking about picking it up!

James said...

Very very interesting!!

Triper said...

Cool video!

Kristof Unpronounceable said...

This is great music...reminds me of the sixties.

Berry said...

Really cool I love the sitar.

Gel Mibson said...

That is very neat. I've never actually heard this type of music before

Anonfourtwenty said...

This is so epic!

Bob said...

I love the sound of that instrument!

ZKMin said...

I want the instrument!

Anonymous said...

More good videos!

Mook said...

Nice song, thanks :)

Pool Fool said...

it's very interesting but looks complicated for me, all this tuning stuff

charlie tuna said...

this is cool. Thanks for sharing.

Mikko said...

Like the melody :)

Macrodong said...

How expensive is a sitar?

Maggie said...

I actuaally really enjoyed this :) thanks

Alexis said...

Macrodong, check out my post about where to buy one, I listed some places that have prices there.

Alekseezy said...

Ok, no idea of what i just read, but i hope to see more!

Inside Journalism said...

Great blog. I have a feeling we share similar roots, it's always nice to see the side of Asian culture that's so rarely acknowledged blogged about in such a positive way. Keep up the great work, mate :)

Unknown said...

I'm in the music mood tonight! Love this, listening to some James Brown now.

Anonymous said...

Mo mo mo mooore! :P

Kopite said...

A nice break from all the dubsteps

Dola said...

post some sitar music =D

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