If you ask a Western musician what emotion a major chord expresses, you might hear “happy” or “bright”. In Indian classical music, we go even further: entire raags are associated with specific emotional flavors called Rasa.
Classical Indian aesthetics speaks of nine principal rasas:
- Shringaar – romantic or erotic love
- Haasya – laughter, humor
- Karuna – compassion, pathos
- Raudra – anger
- Veer – heroism, courage
- Bhayanak – fear
- Bibhats – disgust
- Adbhut – wonder, amazement
- Shant – peace, tranquility
A raag typically leans toward one or more of these rasas. The choice of notes (shuddha vs komal), the way phrases move, and the time of day all contribute to its emotional color.
Some simple examples:
- Raag Bhairav – serious, meditative, slightly austere; often Shant/Veer.
- Raag Yaman – romantic, devotional; Shringaar/Bhakti.
- Raag Malkauns – deep, mysterious, powerful; Veer/Adbhut.
- Raag Bhairavi – pathos mixed with sweetness; Karuna/Shringaar.
Here’s the fascinating part: even when two raags share the same set of notes, they may feel totally different emotionally, because their pakad, phrases, and characteristic movements emphasize different gestures.
The artist’s own personality also matters. Two singers can perform the same bandish in the same raag and still project slightly different emotional shades. Raag provides the palette; the musician does the actual painting.
For listeners, paying attention to how a raag makes you feel – not just which notes it uses – is one of the most rewarding ways to enjoy Indian classical music.