Question

Describe the salient features of Raga Malkauns.

Hint:

Malkauns is a strictly pentatonic raga (only 5 notes: $Sa, \underline{Ga}, Ma, \underline{Dha}, \underline{Ni}$). Never voice $Re$ or $Pa$ even by mistake, as this will immediately ruin the raga's identity.

Answer 1

Step 1: Introduction and Aesthetic Identity:
Raga Malkauns is one of the oldest, most prestigious, and spiritually profound Ragas in the Hindustani classical pantheon. It is a meditative, serious, and majestic raga that is classically associated with the mood of deep peace, spiritual gravity, and quiet power (Shanta and Veer Rasa).

Step 2: Core Technical Attributes:
The structural characteristics of Raga Malkauns are as follows:
• Thaat: Belongs to the Bhairavi Thaat.
• Jati: Audav-Audav (5 notes in both ascent and descent).
• Varjit (Omitted) Swaras: Rishabh ($Re$) and Pancham ($Pa$) are completely omitted in both ascent and descent.
• Swaras Used: It uses Komal Gandhar ($\underline{Ga}$), Komal Dhaivat ($\underline{Dha}$), and Komal Nishad ($\underline{Ni}$). The remaining active notes ($Sa$ and $Ma$) are Shuddha.
• Vadi Swara: Madhyam ($Ma$) is the king note, sung with a highly sustained focus.
• Samvadi Swara: Shadaj ($Sa$) is the consonant partner note.
• Singing Time: Third quarter of the night (Ratri Ka Triteeya Prahar, roughly 12:00 Midnight to 3:00 AM).

Step 3: Swara Notation Guides:

• Aroha: $Sa, \, \underline{Ga} \, Ma, \, \underline{Dha}, \, \underline{Ni}, \, \dot{S}a$
• Avroha: $\dot{S}a, \, \underline{Ni} \, \underline{Dha}, \, Ma, \, \underline{Ga}, \, Ma, \, \underline{Ga}, \, Sa$
• Pakad: $\underline{Ga} \, Ma, \, \underline{Dha}, \, \underline{Ni}, \, \underline{Dha} \, Ma, \, \underline{Ga} \, Ma, \, \underline{Ga} \, Sa$