Every composer has their favorite raga. A raga that will sneak up regularly in compositions. It is almost like an unfinished task that comes back to haunt you. You attend to it for a bit but there is so much more to be done. If one speaks about Raga Bhairavi, one has to talk about the obsession of the duo Shankar-Jaikishan (called S-J by fans) with the raga. Shankarsingh Raghuwanshi (1922–1987) continued to sign his work as Shankar Jaikishan even sixteen years after Jaikishen Dayabhai Pankal passed away in 1971.

Todi is a morning raga that is sung from 8am to 10am. It has the ability to evoke the same mood of playfulness of a newborn lying in bed content, smiling and playful. In film music, Raga Todi has been largely used in composing songs that depict pathos. Raga Todi or Miyan ki Todi was the trademark composition of Miyan Tansen the legendary composer in the court of Akbar. Raga Todi is also known as Miyan ki Todi, Shuddha Todi and Darbari Todi. All these names essentially refer to the same Raga Todi.

According to musical folklore, the melody of their cowbells is supposed to be behind this raga. Thank you for giving us this gem. Ahir Bhairav is a late morning raga and can be sung from 8am up to 10 am. In my second novel Married But Available, the enigmatic Keya is listening to it at 4am. That only shows that it is possible to enjoy a Raga even if the time is not a hundred percent accurate.

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.