Raag ExplorerIndian Classical Scale Notes on Harmonium
Explore the notes, scales, and moods of 15 essential Hindustani Raags. Click any Raag to see its Arohana-Avarohana, Vadi-Samvadi, and play the notes on an interactive harmonium keyboard.
Yaman
यमनYaman is one of the most popular raags in Hindustani classical music. Its defining feature is the sharp Ma (Teevra Madhyam, Ma↑). It evokes a mood of peace and gentle romance, and is the first raag taught to most students.
Bhairav
भैरवBhairav is a morning raag of deep devotional character. It features both komal Re̤ and komal Dha̤, giving it a unique, contemplative quality. Traditionally performed at dawn during Puja.
Bhairavi
भैरवीBhairavi traditionally closes a concert performance. All notes except Sa and Pa are komal (flat). It is a deeply emotional raag associated with separation and longing.
Kafi
काफीKafi is an ancient raag with a folk character. Komal Ga̤ and komal Ni̤ give it a rustic, earthy quality. Common in thumri and light classical genres.
Khamaj
खमाजKhamaj features komal Ni̤ in descent and shuddha Ni in ascent, creating its characteristic bittersweet quality. Popular in semi-classical genres like thumri and ghazal.
Bilawal
बिलावलBilawal uses all shuddha (natural) notes — equivalent to the Western C major scale. It is the reference thaat for Hindustani music and conveys brightness and auspiciousness.
Asavari
आसावरीAsavari features komal Ga̤, komal Dha̤, and komal Ni̤ in descent while the ascent is pentatonic (skips Ga and Dha). It has a serious, melancholic character.
Bhupali
भूपालीBhupali is a pentatonic raag (only 5 notes) using Sa Re Ga Pa Dha. Its simplicity makes it immediately beautiful and accessible. Often the first raag taught to beginners.
Bageshri
बागेश्रीBageshri is deeply romantic and introspective. It omits Pa in descent and features komal Ga̤ and komal Ni̤, creating a lingering, searching quality.
Desh
देशDesh is a popular semi-classical raag with a strong folk character, associated with the monsoon season and patriotic sentiments. It uses both Ni and Ni̤ (vakra).
Durga
दुर्गाDurga is a pentatonic raag (Sa Re Ma Pa Dha) that is bold and energetic. It omits Ga and Ni entirely, giving it a bright, open quality often associated with the goddess Durga.
Malkauns
मालकौंसMalkauns is a pentatonic midnight raag using only Sa, Ga̤, Ma, Dha̤, Ni̤. The complete absence of Re and Pa gives it a unique, haunting resonance.
Todi
तोड़ीTodi is one of the most sophisticated and complex raags. It features komal Re̤, komal Ga̤, teevra Ma↑, komal Dha̤ — a unique combination that creates a complex, tender emotion.
Marwa
मारवाMarwa is a twilight raag that completely omits Pa, creating a feeling of incompleteness and restless searching. It features komal Re̤ and teevra Ma↑.
Kedar
केदारKedar is a devotional raag associated with Lord Shiva and the Kedarnath temple. Both shuddha Ma and teevra Ma↑ are used, and the ascent is vakra (zigzag).
What is a Raag?
A Raag (Sanskrit: rāga, "color" or "passion") is the fundamental melodic framework of Hindustani classical music. Unlike a Western scale, a Raag prescribes not just which notes to use, but how to use them — the order, the ornaments, the pauses, and even the time of day it should be performed.
Every Raag belongs to a Thaat (parent scale family), has specific ascending (Arohana) and descending (Avarohana) sequences, and emphasizes certain notes (Vadi and Samvadi). Learning to identify and play Raags on the harmonium is a core skill in Indian classical music.
Note Terminology
Raag Explorer FAQs
Common questions about Indian Raags and how to practice them on harmonium.
What is a Raag in Indian classical music?
A Raag (also spelled Raga) is a melodic framework in Indian classical music. It defines which notes can be used, how they ascend (Arohana) and descend (Avarohana), which note is the most important (Vadi), and when the Raag should be performed.
What is the difference between Arohana and Avarohana?
Arohana is the ascending sequence of notes in a Raag (going up from Sa), while Avarohana is the descending sequence (coming back down to Sa). Many Raags have different notes on the way up vs. down, which creates their unique identity.
What are Vadi and Samvadi notes?
Vadi is the "king" note — the most important or frequently emphasized note in a Raag. Samvadi is the "minister" — the second most important note, usually a fourth or fifth away from the Vadi.
What does Komal and Teevra mean?
Komal (flat, shown with a line below) means the note is lowered by a semitone from its natural position. Teevra (sharp, shown with ↑) means the note is raised by a semitone. Shuddha means the natural version of the note.
How do I practice a Raag on harmonium?
Click on any Raag in the explorer below. On the Raag detail page, the harmonium keyboard will highlight all the notes belonging to that Raag. Practice the Arohana and Avarohana sequences, using the Play button to hear each note.