Introduction

Indian classical music uses ragas as melodic frameworks for improvisation, similar to melodic modes. “Raga” is an old ancient Sanskrit word that means passion and colour. There are certain rules that govern Raga compositions, and it is characterized by a melodic structure made up of certain notes. Despite its central position in classical Indian music, the raga does not have a direct translation to classical European music. Traditionally, ragas are composed by a melodic soloist with a drum and a drone as accompaniment. Among the most popular instruments are the sitar, tabla, and tanpura or tempura. An Arohana and Avrohana is a scale for an ascending and descending form of a raga.