Madhukali Explained

Madhukali
Time:	Evening

'Madhukali' is a Hindustani classical raga.

Theory

Arohana and Avarohana

Arohana

Sa komalGa teevraMa Pa Ni Sa

Avarohana

S2 Ni komal Dha Pa, teevra Ma Pa komal Dha komal Ni komal Dha Pa, teevraMa komal Ga Re Sa

Vadi and Samavadi

Sa Sonant

Pa Consonant

Pakad or Chalan

This Raga is Pentatonic while ascending and Heptatonic in descending.

Organization & Relationships

Madhukali is a Raga created by Dr. Lalmani Misra, who played Vichitra Veena, on basis of classical principles of consonance (The Raga Guide: A Survey of 74 Hindustani Ragas, 1999). It blends Madhuvanti, Multani and Ramkali (Raga Rupanjali, 2007 p. 304).

Thaat

It belongs to the category of Raga-s that can be classified under any thaat.

Behavior

This Raga makes use of all seven notes. However, while ascending, the second and the sixth notes are skipped. It comprises third and sixth flat with sharp fourth. The seventh note is both, natural and flat. A special use of this seventh is indicative of Ramkali.

Samay (Time)

Evening.

Seasonality

Madhukali has no seasonal associations.

Rasa

Karun (Pathos)

Historical Information

Created in late sixties.

Important Recordings

References

Bor, Joep (ed). Rao, Suvarnalata; der Meer, Wim van; Harvey, Jane (co-authors) The Raga Guide: A Survey of 74 Hindustani Ragas. Zenith Media, London: 1999.

Basu, Pushpa. Raga- Rupanjali. Ratna Publications, Varanasi: 2007.