The soul of any raga-based composition lies in the subtle tonal geometry that defines its essence, for it is this inner architecture that determines the extent to which the raga unfolds its beauty and bliss. There was a time—now largely past—when musicians were deeply attuned to translating the aesthetic longings of the soul into melody through a masterful and sensitive application of ragas. Each raga belongs to a specific hour, season, and state of mind, and possesses the power to evoke a vast spectrum of emotions—joy and exuberance, love and devotion, longing and dejection, tenderness and compassion, philosophy and tranquility, nostalgia, separation and reunion, uncertainty and contemplation, self-reflection, remorse, restlessness, a wavering mind, vivacity, and much more. Through their profound influence on the human psyche, ragas subtly modulate hormonal activity, which is intimately linked with emotional experience. In these two articles, we invite you to immerse yourself in those ragas that attain their highest melodic beauty and majestic splendor in the evening—a time when lengthening shadows of solitude gather from every direction, and poetry begins to flow effortlessly onto the page as one gazes at a distant, blinking star.
Late Evening Ragas and Associated Songs
Yaman
How sublime can happiness be? It can be as sublime as what Raga Yaman reveals. How high can exalted joy lift the human spirit? As high as Yaman carries it. This evening will linger in memory, leaving an indelible imprint on the mind, for you found yourself immersed in a rapturous tide of emotions born from a delicate medley of containment, serenity, affection, admiration, reassurance, and the promise of reunion with the beloved. The smiling rays of the setting sun seemed to affirm that promise with quiet prophecy, while your heart felt more tranquil than a thousand stars combined. As the sun slipped into the womb of the sea, destined to rise again, and the evening breeze cooled your soul, you sensed that you had finally arrived at the destination you had been seeking all your life. As long as Raga Yaman endures, love will endure too—fulfilled or fraught with longing. Surrender to the melodies that follow and allow Yaman to brush your soul with a feather, for it is one of those merciless ragas whose sibylline touch leaves the heart exquisitely restless.
आँसू भरी हैं ये जीवन की राहें
छुपा लो यूँ दिल में प्यार मेरा
भूली हुई यादों
दिल जो न कहे सका
जानेवाले से मुलाकात ना हो पायी
जीवन डोर तुम्ही संग बाँधी
जय रघुनन्दन जय सियाराम
जब दीप जले आना
मौसम है आशियाना
प्यार दीवाना होता है मस्ताना
Desh
Raga Desh shares many affinities with Tilak Kamod, both drawing their origins from the rich soil of folk music. Encompassing the full octave, Desh is marked by a swift ascent and a leisurely, expressive descent—qualities that enable it to convey a wide spectrum of emotions, ranging from patriotism and introspection to self-narration, heartbreak, and playful romance. Its full-blooded, zealous expression is as captivating as the innocence of light-hearted courtship. If music were an examination, some ragas would answer in crisp sentences, while Raga Desh would unfold as a long, eloquent descriptive response. It often seeks the support of other ragas as a backdrop for its complete and majestic manifestation, offering musicians and singers ample scope to exercise their artistry and dexterity to the fullest. One could ask for nothing more. As you listen to the compositions that follow, the shifting hues and moods of Raga Desh will reveal themselves gradually, like the many colors of an evening sky spreading across the horizon.
अजी रूठ कर अब कहाँ जाईयेगा
बेकसी हद से जब गुजर जाये
गोरी तोरे नैनवा काजर बिन कारे
हम तेरे प्यार में सारा आलम
माना मेरे हसीं सनम
फिर कहीं कोई फूल खिला
तक़दीर का फसाना
वन्दे मातरम्
Kedar
A love affair is in full bloom—whether it unfolds between two mortals beneath the sun and moon, or takes the form of a sacred bond between the divine and the devotee. But what happens when that love begins to falter, when your calls return unanswered and your devotion meets silence? The mind then passes through many stages. At first, hope burns brightly and you make every possible effort, leaving no stone unturned. When those efforts crumble into dust, worry quietly takes hold. Before breaking down, you plead, pray, beg, and beseech—until, at last, despair casts its shadow and the heart sinks into melancholy. The gentle, imploring phrases of Raga Kedar offer a perfect vessel for expressing this fragile state of the heart—poised between hope and surrender, when optimism wanes and despair slowly approaches. When words stumble into a helpless “please… please…,” let Raga Kedar speak for you. Notice how its soft, pliant intonations, rising with utmost earnestness, pluck at the deepest strings of the heart. The encroaching darkness after sunset only deepens its effect, leaving an indelible trace on the mind. Surrender to these melodies and let them unfold their quiet power.
* In film songs, you can't always expect a classical representation of a raga. They do take their liberties but you do get very close to how it feels.
आप यूँ ही अगर हम से मिलते रहे
बेकस पे करम कीजिये
दर्शन दो घनश्याम
हाये रे वो दिन क्यूँ ना आये
हमको मन की शक्ति देना
कल रात ज़िन्दगी से मुलाकात हो गयी
मिल जा जान-ए-जाना
उठाये जा उनके सितम
Durga
What is common between waves, butterflies, children and puppies? Well, all four of them never move in a straight line (although they are very straight and their heart!). They always move harmonically up and down, oscillating, vacillating, frolicking, capering and a lot of shilling-shalling, just akin to the notes of raga Durga. The name may not match the mood. As far as film songs are concerned, this raga is used in pieces. A full song with Durga manifestation is uncommon. The raga which actually depicts the golden period of childhood is used by the grown-ups to celebrate their light romantic mood. (although they walk in a straight line, they may not be straight at their hearts!!) It is a night raga but its melody doesn't wane a bit when heard in the morning or anytime.
Did you like this collection? Wait! Here is more for you:-
* Golden Melodies on Early Morning Ragas Part 1, Part 2
* Golden Melodies on Late Morning Ragas Part 1, Part 2
* Golden Melodies on Early Evening Ragas Part 1, Part 2
* Golden Melodies on Late Evening Ragas Part 1, Part 2
* Golden Melodies on Early Night Ragas Part 1, Part 2
* Golden Melodies on Late Night Ragas Part 1, Part 2
* Golden Melodies based on Raga Pahadi Part 1, Part 2
Don't miss: GOLDEN YEARS OF INDIAN MUSIC
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सत्यम्, शिवम्, सुंदरम् की मंगल परिभाषा युगों-युगों से जिसने दुनिया को सिखायी, क्या ऐसे सनातन धर्म के आप भी चहिते हैं? क्या हमारे देश की संस्कृति, परंपरा, सभ्यता और हमारी आधुनिक वैज्ञानिक उन्नति का आपको अभिमान है? तो जुड जाइए इस Telegram ग्रुप से जिसका नाम है - हम हिंदुस्तानी. CLICK TO JOIN
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