Malgunji is a complex Raga of the Khamaj Thaat. John Campana describes Malgunji as having elements of Rageshri, Bageshri and a few subtle touches of Jaijaiwanti. It is popularly described as being a combination of Raga Rageshri (in the ascent) and Raga Bageshri ( in the descent). If traditionally Bageshri evokes feelings of separation from the lover, and Rageshri represents reunion, Malgunji depicts the initial realization of the reunion.
I have always tried to get to know a Raga by listening to film music that is based on the classical raga and only after I have trained myself to recognize those patterns do I venture to hear the maestros perform the Raga in its pristine form.
I want to share with you four of my all time favorite compositions from Hindi films based on Malgunji. They represent the works of RD Burman, Salil Chowdhury, Kalyanji Anandji and Madan Mohan.
The music composer whose work introduced me to Malgunji is Rahul Dev Burman. ‘Pancham’ as RD was known to his friends and family is the fifth note of music. Born on June 27, 1939, RD had composed music for more than 350 films until he breathed his last on January 4, 1994. He signed Bhoot Bungla (The Haunted House)in 1965 as his first film as a music director. This is also the film where for the first time Kishore Kumar the singer and he worked together.
But Chhote Nawab (The Young King) also a film directed by Mehmood in 1961 is the one that RD Burman made his debut with. The song Ghar Aaja Ghir Aye (lyrics by Shailendra) is brilliant composition in Raga Malgunji (a Raga that combines elements of Raga Khamaj and Raga Bageshri). I will always rank this as the best ever Hindi film song composed in Malgunji.
Salil Chowdhury wrote many of the songs that are now inherent part of the cultural identity of Bengal. His music was a blend of the western classical (he grew up on Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart, and a bit of Chopin), folk ditties, and a smattering of the Indian classical. Another all time favorite film composition based on Raga Malgunji is from the film Anand (1970) and composed by Salil Chowdhury (19 November 1922-5 Sep 1995). Na Jiya Laage Na (My mind is restless without you).
Listen to the Bengali version of the same song song. I love the introductory notes of the Bengali version better. I did not count this as a separate song and make this my five favorite Malgunji compositions!
There is a inherent tinge of sadness in Raga Malgunji that comes through beautifully in this song from the film Safar (1970) composed by Kalyanji Anandji. If you really want to feel the impact of the compositions in Raga Malgunji, then listen to it between 10pm and midnight to resonate with the pathos of longing that this Raga brings out so beautifully.
The film was Adalat (1948). The composer was Madan Mohan (25 June 1924 to 14 July 1975) and the when you have Lata Mangeshkar sing a composition in Malgunji and the poignant lyrics of Rajendra Krishan. Unko yeh shikayat hai ki hum kuchh nahi kehte. Translation: “I never have anything to say, says he. It is not like me to say anything anyway.” Just as RD Burman brought out the best in Asha Bhosle as a singer, Madan Mohan’s music and Lata’s voice is a heady concoction.
There are just a handful of hindi film songs based on Raga Malgunji. Nain So Nain Naahi Milaao from the film Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje is one of them. Yet no other song captures the beauty of Raga Malgunji the way these four do. So while I started the article by sharing five songs that I would recommend, I could only find four – unless you count two versions of Salil Chowdhury and make the five song reco! !
You can listen to clips of Raga Malgunji played by the sitar maestro Nikhil Banerjee to round off the flavors of this beautiful Raga
The Raga Samay Chakra can tell you when your favorite raga will sound its melodious best.
Join me on Twitter @AbhijitBhaduri
30 Comments
another malgunji favorite of all time is “nain so nain nahin milao” from jhanak jhanak payal baaje sung by hemant(a) and lata
Very interesting to see that there are only 4 songs. Leads me to ask which is the Raga(s) that is the base for the maximum no. of hindi film songs – bhairavi ? pahadi ?
Probably a toss up between Yaman Kalyan and Bhairavi with Pahadi close second.
Wow Abhijeet! These songs were always a treat and now thanks to you, I know the raag as well 🙂 And it was really nice to listen to the bengali version of jiya lage na( one of my alltime favourites)…… proves that good music has no language barriers.
Beautiful collection indeed. “Nain so nain nahi milao” from ‘Zhanak Zhanak Payal bajey’ is another masterpiece in this raga. Delicate composition. Music by Vasant Desai. Watch on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDnn1UQzWTw&feature=PlayList&p=4749FEF44277BEFA&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=55Regards,Deepa
Beautiful songs beautifully picturised! Wish there were a few in this collection from the post 1990 era!
One of the best for this raag, from and old Pakistani movie?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yckEFO_bL5corhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD_ZNP1gwKQ
Raag MalguniCaptured perfectly , Bageshari, Rageshari and JaiJaiwanti, what a presentation in these songs. Only the geniouses in th efilm industry can do this. I would like some on eto send me a genuine roh/avrog of malgini.
hello sirthis is ram kadam and i am hindi and marathi song writertill now i write above 40 hindi and some marathi songs.i can write all situation based songs.i like song writing so much.and i want succsess in this professionif you want to see my songs plz contact mejust give me one chance for proove myselfabout mesana_ram22@yahoo.in0922-132-8185thanksram kadamsong writer
28 Was ist das für eine Seite ? was kann man hier machen ?
Valjinder,Malgunji’s Aaroh Avroh are as given belowSa Re G m(teevr) Dh Ni Sa’Sa’ ni(komal) Dh P m(teevr) G m(teevr) g(komal) Re SaIn ‘Nain So nain naahi milaao’ both G komal and shuddh have been used very meticulously in the Sthaayi itself.
Very very I informative article as well as very likeable songs based on malgunji. If I am not wrong “deewana hua baadal” sung by rafi & asha compsed by OP Nayyar also belongs to same raag
Yes you are right. Deewaana huva baadal! One should not forget to mention this melody while mentioning raag Malgunji.
according to me one of the most beutifully sung MALGUNJI based SongS is by Late Legend Mehdi Sahab for the GHAZAL PATTA PATTA BUTA BUTA
Dear Abhijit,My heartfelt thanks to you for your in depth information given in your site. I was immediately overwhelmed with awe and a spiritual feeling (can better be felt than described) when I first listened to this raga, Malgunji, played by one of the great Sitarists Pandit Nikhil Banerjee,India has ever produced, in Munich in 1980. Since then, I have been trying to know more about this raga. I entirely agree with you the influence of Bageshree, Rageshree, Khamaj and Jayjayanti in this raga. It should enlighten all Indians about the fathomless depth and treasure in the ocean of Indian classical music. Once again many thanks for your good and invaluable work.
I am learning music as a hobby from internet info. Articles like this is very useful.Can Mr. Abhijeet and others help me by advising / guiding on my e mail. I would be grateful.Thanks.Ramesh Shishu Ph.DRetired
Thanks for this wonderful write up! It will help in not only understanding the raaga well but make the very experience of listening to these songs interesting too. Please continue your good work.
I am learning music thanks for sharing great Post.
nothing can beat ‘nai se nain’ …what a creation by Vasant Desai……one can njoy the spirituality in the love while watching beautiful sandhya n Gopi Krishna….. i was child when i watched both 1st time….around 30 yrs behind, but created a permanent mark …..simply ‘salam’ to creation !
A beauty by S Mohinder. Lata dazzles as always.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tHtHQKprrc
Trying to find raag for a song i am devoted to .. Deewana Hua Badal from Kashmir ki kali..My quest took me to Raag Malgunji.., but I don’t see that song in your list. Can you help if this song is Malgunji or not.
Excellent article and collection Sharing it on my Facebook wall with your kind permission. Hari OM Tatsat!
Excellent Article and very good compilation of Songs with history. I am sharing it on my facebook wall.
Very very interesting, very informativeInfact this is base which is forgotten now a days.Happy happy to see these things again. It takes me back to my old childhood when there were programs on Vivid Bharati of Ragas.Thank you so much.
I also feel it is best to identify raags thru film songs. Each listed by you is a gem and unforgettable reflection of what Bollywood music was. Thanks for sharing
This is a sort of my research field too. Trying to identify raaga s and their context, background along with their use in bandish s
Can I have your contact details? Are you the same Abhijit Bhaduri, the writer?
Waah
Wah
Very beautiful blog. Very nice description of Raag and songs. Very nice.
इस राग के बारे में बहुत सुंदर वर्णन। धन्यवाद ????????