Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A traditional melodic type in Hindu music, consisting of a theme that expresses an aspect of religious feeling and sets forth a tonal system on which variations are improvised within a prescribed framework of typical progressions, melodic formulas, and rhythmic patterns.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun In Hindu music, a scale or similar recognized series of tones.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun The melodic mode used in Indian classical music.
  • noun Passion, love, lust; in Buddhist mythology, a daughter of the demon Mara that personifies these qualities.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Sanskrit rāgaḥ, color, musical mode.]

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Anglicised form of Sanskrit राग (rāga)

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Examples

  • He ended with a tillana in Hindustani raga Chandrakauns, which he composed.

    The Hindu - Front Page 2009

  • A raga, which is typically created for a specific time of day, releases positive vibrations that increase your inner harmony and appeal to the inner self.

    The Power of Vastu Living Kathleen Cox 2002

  • Atomic Yggdrasil Tarot, due on Thrill Jockey in June, is a bit more coherent than his two previous solo outings, but it keeps you on your toes nonetheless: at times Higgs plays Fahey-esque rambling guitar, others he weaves startlingly beautiful tunes out of bells, drones, and mouth harp, recalling the raga-trance jams of 60s mystic Angus MacLise.

    Chicago Reader 2010

  • Atomic Yggdrasil Tarot, due on Thrill Jockey in June, is a bit more coherent than his two previous solo outings, but it keeps you on your toes nonetheless: at times Higgs plays Fahey-esque rambling guitar, others he weaves startlingly beautiful tunes out of bells, drones, and mouth harp, recalling the raga-trance jams of 60s mystic Angus MacLise.

    Chicago Reader 2010

  • Atomic Yggdrasil Tarot, due on Thrill Jockey in June, is a bit more coherent than his two previous solo outings, but it keeps you on your toes nonetheless: at times Higgs plays Fahey-esque rambling guitar, others he weaves startlingly beautiful tunes out of bells, drones, and mouth harp, recalling the raga-trance jams of 60s mystic Angus MacLise.

    Chicago Reader 2010

  • It is enough to say for now that a raga is a melodic structure.

    DesiPundit uttara 2010

  • In music these nada vibrations are known as raga or musical notes.

    Drishtikone.com - All Perspectives 2009

  • The "raga" is the melodic form, but it is not just a scale, Shankar says.

    NPR Topics: News 2010

  • The "raga" is the melodic form, but it is not just a scale, Shankar says.

    NPR Topics: News 2010

  • The "raga" is the melodic form, but it is not just a scale, Shankar says.

    NPR Topics: News 2010

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