Identifying raags is like recognizing faces. At first everyone looks similar; over time, small details stand out. Here are some practical ways to train your ear.
1. Learn a few “anchor” raags
Start with:
- Yaman – evening, teevra Ma, very famous.
- Bhairav – morning, komal Re and Dha, serious.
- Bhairavi – used at the end of concerts, very flexible.
- Kafi/Bhimpalasi – sweet, slightly folkish, afternoon/evening.
Learn their pakads and listen to multiple recordings of each.
2. Focus on Pakad
The pakad is like a raag’s signature phrase. Try to:
- Hum it on your own.
- Notice whenever a singer uses it in a performance.
For example, Yaman’s characteristic use of Ni–Re–Ga or the way it uses teevra Ma and Pa stands out once you’ve heard it a few times.
3. Use mood and time clues
Ask:
- Does this feel like dawn, evening, night, or monsoon?
- Is the mood serious, romantic, devotional, or playful?
Combined with pakad and note pattern, these cues can narrow down the possibilities significantly.
4. Compare “confusable” pairs
Listen to:
- Yaman vs Puriya vs Marwa.
- Kafi vs Bageshree vs Bhimpalasi.
- Darbari Kanada vs Adana vs Jaunpuri.
Ask: where do they differ in movement, important notes, or overall feel?
Over time, raag recognition becomes intuitive. Just like you don’t “analyze” your friend’s face to recognize them, you start to feel “this is Yaman, this is Bhairav” almost instantly.