Rare Raga & Eka Raga

[hariharan]

I wish to start this thread with desire to have more information on this subject , that may emanate from the rich exposure of our dear rasikas, so that they are shared among us. A small beginning to this thread from my part. Views and corrections are most welcome.

A rare raga is one that is categorized as 'un-popular' raga, simply for the reason that it finds a rare inclusion in any musical performances or katcheries. It has been more a practice to sing songs in ragas that are often sung & heard and hence became popular, both for the artist as well as for the audience. Also lack of scope for elaborating a particular raga due to its structure/phrases, may the reason that such ragas fall under the category of rare ragas. Any raga that is finally termed as a popular raga, did undergo a process of improvisation over a period and attained a level of perfection. Reviews and comments by learned artists through various forums also had contributed to their popularity. May be that, rare ragas didn't get this chance for its up-gradation of status, as compared to popular ragas.

The less popularity for any raga is mainly due to the fact that very few songs are composed in that particular raga, right from ancient days. Maximum, one can find 3 or 4 compositions only in such rare ragas and even those composed are rarely sung in a katchery also. It is a sad situation that only few musicians do attempt to bring out those rare raga compositions of the Trinity vaggeyyakaras as well as post trinity vageyyakaras and attempt to bring those rare kritis to a justifiable level of popularity. While this situation remains to be improved, it is surprised to come across new composers (Carnatic Music) composing songs in rare ragas in the modern time. No doubt, these new added rare raga compositions are also going to remain in the 'music-vault'' as in the case of others, originated during the pre-trinity period. How to popularise the rare rags will remain a big challenge and need extra time and labor for revival.

We have heard of Eka raga kritis which are existing over time immemorial. Some Eka raga also falls in the group of rare ragas.These type of ragas still retain its identity and not being attempted to alter the status by any musician. Why is it so? The answer is simple. These ragas are but the creative genius of those Vaggeyakaras that are amazing and they can be identified as the "avatara purushas" for their knowledge and depth in music. The trinity composers are classic examples of creative genius. Some of their eka-raga kritis are very popular, though remain as a rare raga. Here they are classified as rare raga, may be due to the reason that, the eka-raga kriti is the main source for recognition of the raga sanchara. It is understood that Sri. Thyagaraja and Sri. Dikshitar had composed about 150 eka-raga kritis in all during their tenure.

Sri. Balamurali Krishna is another genius musician/composer who had also created many new rare ragas. Ragas like Mahati, Lavangi, Sumukham, are examples for rare rags which have only 4 notes in the arohana-avarohana kramas. Again these ragas also remain unpopular due to lack of publicity through katcheries.

It is heard that Sri. Veenai Shira Ramayya had composed kritis in rare ragas that have only 3 notes in the arohanam and avarohanam, called as "swayambu" swarams. Again such kritis too remain unpopular as those of other composers. The reason for its un-popularity can therefore,be attributed to the limitations for the musician to render these kritis which requires special training and skill.

In the Sampradaya Bhajan paddathi, there are occasions where songs in rare ragas do find a place. Bhajans/Namasankeerthanam by Thanjavoor Sri. Thyagu Bhagavatar and Udayaloor Sri. Kalyanaraman are examples, where one can be sure to listen to rare raga kirtans/Abhangs during the course of their bhajans.

Radhekrishna
Hariharan.

[saramati]

thanks. that was a lot of information on eka ragas. can you name a few eka ragams, pl, just for my awareness.

[hariharan]

Saramati,
Please see the postings in this forum by Sri. Uday_shankar
in the forum dated 17.12.2008. A nice write up is given in the thread on Eka Raga Kritis of Sri. Thyagaraja Swamigal here by Sri. Uday_shankar supported with more details by other rasikas too. The thread is under
" rasikas.org » Kutcheri Reviews & Recordings » Prof SRJ lec-dem music academy Dec 16th 2008 <<

Some of the Eka raga kirtans of other popular Vaggeyakaras, are given under. These are only few of them and others in our forum may be able to give more details.

Sri.G.N.B. had composed songs in rare ragas like Amruth Behag, Shivashakti, Chandra Hasitam, Chayaranjani, Saranga Tarangini

Patnam Subramanya Iyer’s popular kriti- Raghuvamsha sudha in Kadanakutuhalam (Janya of Shankarabharanam) A kriti in raga, Sindhu mandari by him is another eka-raga kriti.

Ramanathapuram (Poochi) Srinivasa Iyengar has created a raga Suraranjani (janya of Shankarabharanam) and composed a kriti 'Raghunatha nannu'.

Sri. Shyama Sastri composed a kriti 'Devi brova' in raga-Chintamani, His other eka raga kritis are ragas Kalgada, Karnataka Kapi, Manji

Dr. M.B.K has composed many rare raga-kritis. Rag Lavangi, Sumukham, Mahathi are few of his creations.

The song, Jagatjanani in raga, Ratipathipriya comes from the creative mind of Ghanam Krishnaiyer, which is an ekaraga kriti.

Inta bharamu in raGA 'Srimanoranjani ' is an eka-raga kriti, of sri. N.S.Ramachandran.

Sri. Harikesanallur Muthiah Bhagavatar had given us a complete picture of some of earlier periods' rare ragas through his rare Kritis. Some of these are set in rare ragas like Nagabhushani, Valaji, Niroshta, Gaudamalhar,Guharanjani, Sarangamalhar, Vijayanagari, Hamsagamani, Karna ranjani, Budhamanohari, Pashupatipriya etc.

Sri. Pallavi Seshayyar’s composition, Entha ni vina in raga Urmika is an eka raga kriti.

Mysore Vasudevachar’s kritis in Sunadavinodhini , Megharanjani are eka raga kritis.

Jayachamaraja Wodeyar, the Maharaja of Mysore, had also composed kirthans in rare ragas namely, Bhogavasantham, Durvanki, Nadabrahma.

The above are only few examples of rare ragas eka raga kritis and there many more still to be brought out for the knowledge of our rasikas.

Hariharan.

[Lakshman]

Some of the rara ragas mentioned above are no longer ekaika ragas. Other composers have songs in them.
There are many single song ragas. I will try and make a list.

[saramati]

Thank you hariharan sir, i found your reply very useful and informative

[hariharan]

Thank you Sri. Lakshman for the information and interested to know the current information /list on ekaika raga kirtans.