Before I get to Raga Ramkali, a beautiful morning raga, I must spend a little more time talking about Raga Bhairav <Read about Raga Bhairav here>. Bhairav connotes three entities: the Raga, the Raga-Anga and the Thaat. Each raga is based on one of the ten basic thaats (frameworks) or musical scales. The ten thaats are Bilawal, Kalyan, Khamaj, Bhairav, Poorvi, Marwa, Kafi, Asavari, Bhairavi and Todi.

A Raga-Anga on the other hand is more like the basic soul of the Raga - its DNA. That is what creates the chemistry between the listener and the artiste performing the raga. Raga Bhairav has many variations through the Raga-Anga. Examples of these would be Raga Bhatiyari Bhairav, Saurashtra Bhairav, Mangal Bhairav, Kabiri Bhairav, Prabhat Bhairav etc

Raga Ramkali - an early morning raga is sung at the same time as Raga Bhairav and is based on Bhairav thaat. This raga has been used extensively by the Gurus of the Sikh religion and hence the holy book of the Sikhs ie Guru Granth Sahib has compositions based on this raga. All the Gurus have composed verses based on this raga. Enjoy this beautiful composition based on Ramkali used to evoke the Bhakti rasa (mood of devotion).

It is unfair of course to compare the Raga Bhairav and Ramkali because even a lay person will be familiar with Bhairav at least by name. Raga Ramkali is the obscure but lively and spirited cousin. So don't expect see Facebook pages devoted to Ramkali with thousands of "likes". Ramkali is also used to evoke the moods of madhur (sweet) or chakit (Startled). The best example of this is the composition by OP Nayyar in the film Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon sung by Asha Bhosle in 1963 - Dekho Bijli Dole Bin Badal Ki (Lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri) based on Raga Ramkali. The quicksilver mood of the raga is beautifully captured in this dance by Asha Parekh.

Bhairav strides forward with soulful, straighforward steps creating an energy that is one contemplation, devotion and longing - like a traveller who has endured an arduous journey but will move ahead, spurred by the yearning for his lover. Being a melody of the early morning, Ramkali possesses these shades too, but adds to them unusual movements of a feminine sweetness, and if I may take the liberty, a sharpness that is also distinctly feminine. Ramkali can provide a quaint blend of devotion, pathos, yearning and helplessness all at once!

Pt Bhimsen Joshi (Kirana Gharana) does this amazing version of Raga Ramkali. Bhimsen Joshi was conferred the highest civilian award of Bharat Ratna in 2008. Born on 4th Feb 1922 the maestro passed away on 24 Jan 2011.

The Charm of Raga Ramkali

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