raga
Indian musical scale
A raga is a melodic framework in Indian classical music that serves as the basis for improvisation and composition.
Each raga consists of a specific set of notes, characteristic phrases, and rules governing ascent and descent, along with associated moods, times of day, or seasons when it should be performed.
Ragas are not simply scales but living musical entities with distinct personalities that performers explore and elaborate upon.
The evening raga created a contemplative atmosphere in the concert hall.
Indian plucked lute
- tablaIndian paired hand drums
- HindustaniNorth Indian language family
- sarodIndian fretless stringed instrument
- veenaGourd-resonated plucked strings
Day's early hours
midnight · seasonal · monsoon · spring · prescribed · hour · association · nocturnal
Live musical performance
- recitalSolo musical performance
- gatSlang for pistol
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- expositionSystematic explanatory presentation
virtuoso · soloist · accompaniment · audience · festival · interpretation · rendering
Measure of relative size
- modeWay or method
- ascendingMoving upward
- descendingMoving downward
- intervalsGaps between events
notes · tonic · pentatonic · ornamentation · phrase · motif · contour · progression
Complex psychological state
- sentimentFelt attitude or view
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
- evocationCalling forth to mind
- longingIntense, persistent desire
devotion · serenity · joy · pathos · romance · melancholy · heroic · peaceful
sitar
Indian plucked lute
- tablaIndian paired hand drums
- HindustaniNorth Indian language family
- sarodIndian fretless stringed instrument
morning
Day's early hours
dusk · midnight · seasonal · monsoon · spring · prescribed · hour · association · nocturnal · twilight
concert
Live musical performance
- recitalSolo musical performance
- gatSlang for pistol
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
exposition · virtuoso · soloist · accompaniment · audience · festival · interpretation · rendering
scale
Measure of relative size
- modeWay or method
- ascendingMoving upward
- descendingMoving downward
intervals · notes · tonic · pentatonic · ornamentation · phrase · motif · contour · progression · pitch
emotion
Complex psychological state
- sentimentFelt attitude or view
- atmosphereGaseous layer around planets
- evocationCalling forth to mind
longing · devotion · serenity · joy · pathos · romance · melancholy · heroic · peaceful · contemplative
meditation
Focused attention practice
transcendence · sacred · temple · puja · divine · guru · contemplation · offering
lineage
Descent from progenitors
- paramparaGuru-disciple transmission chain
- panditHindu learned man
- transmissionSending of information
oral · heritage · ancient · preservation · master · disciple · training · pedagogy
ragasymphony
Extended composition for orchestra
sonata · set piece · etude · étude · classical composition
Sequence of tonal changes
harmony · counterpoint · polyphony · atonality · chromaticism