AOS:4
Indian Music
Lesson 3: Versions 2 and 3 of
Rag Desh
STARTER ACTIVITY – Matching terms
and definitions
•
Match each of the Indian Music key
terms on the left with its correct definition
(or definitions!) from the right. Write the
correct letter in the answer column.
• Discuss answers
Learning
•
•
•
objectives
Revise terminology
Analyse versions 2 and 3 of Rag
Desh, in terms of musical features
and the elements of music.
To answer a GCSE-style “Section A”
listening question based on Rag
Desh
Learning Outcomes
Grade E (working towards) All Pupils :
•
Know the meanings of the terms
Grade C (working at) Most Pupils
•
Identify some musical features from
set work in a listening task
•
Show some awareness of the
differences in performance between
different performances of Rag Desh
Grade A (working beyond/GAT) Some
Pupils :
•
Answer most questions correctly in a
listening task from set work
Recap of Rag Desh: Quick fire
questions
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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When is this Rag normally played?
What does Rag Desh mean?
What is the word for “mood”?
What are the moods expresses by this Rag?
What is the meaning of “thumri”?
What is rasa?
What is meend?
What is tan?
What is the Structure of a raga performance
• Section 1-
• Section 2-
• Section 3-
• Section 4Bandish if
it’s a Song
- Slow
- Free time (no pulse or rhythm
- Exploring the notes of the rag asc & desc
-Improvised
-Ornamentation
-SITAR & TAMBURA
- Improvised music becomes more rhythmic
- Music becomes more elaborate
- Tempo increases
- sense of pulse
-SITAR & TAMBURA
- High point in piece - Gradually gets faster
and faster
- Virtuoso display using advanced playing
techniques
-SITAR & TAMBURA
- Fixed composition - Moderate to fast
- Tabla enters, introduces the rhythmic cycletala
-SITAR,TAMBURA & TABLA
Recap: Notes used in Rag desh
• The notes used in rag desh are based on the Indian system known as sargam
in which the notes are named:
Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa
• The tonic note is C (Sa) and this forms the principal drone note.
• The notes in Rag Desh are:
C D F G B C
Bb
Sa Re Ma Pa Ni
Sa
Ni
A
G
Dha Pa
F
E
D C
Ma Ga Re Sa
Version 2: Mhara janam maran
performed by Chiranji Tanwar (voice)
Instruments: voice, sarangi, pakhawaj, cymbals and tabla
The Pakhavaj, also called Mardal,
Pakhawaj, Pakuaj, Pakhvaj, Pakavaj
or Mardala, is an Indian barrelshaped, two-headed drum, the
North Indian equivalent to the
Southern mridangam. It is the
standard percussion instrument
and is widely used as an
accompaniment for various forms
of music and dance performances.
The pakhavaj has a low, mellow
tone, very rich in harmonics.
Version 2 : Mhara janam maran
• This song is a Hindu devotional song from Rajasthan and is known
as a bhajan.
• The song tells of tender waiting in longing anticipation of the
arrival of Lord Krishna in the morning.
• The words in translation from the Hindu are:
You are my companion through life and death and I cannot forget
you night and day.
My heart pines for you and I feel totally restless when I am not able
to see you.
• Structure:
Two movements- alap, bhajan (song)
Lord Krishna
Version 2 : Mhara janam maran
Keherwa tal (eight beats): (2 + 2 + 2 + 2)
1
Clap
2
3
clap
4
5
wave
6
7
clap
8
Listening and Understanding
Version 2: Mhara janam maran
performed by Chiranji Tanwar (voice)
• Watch the video of V2 and annotate your
score or make notes in your green book
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBDr5Rpqm0Q&feature=related
Version 2: Mhara janam maran
Features
Time
Section
Features
0.00 –
0.50
Alap
• Short introduction as the sarod player, then the singer,
vocalises a melody in free time based on the notes of the
rag. This is a version of the chorus from the song.
0.50end
Bhajan
• Fixed composition- song in verse form.
• The tabla joins in at 0.50.
•Short sarod solo at 1.10. Short sarangi solo at 1.22.
•The dynamics and tempo increase and the music
becomes fast and exciting.
•The pattern established is a verse (heard at 1.32/3.04
and 4.50) followed by the first line used as a refrain
(chorus), followed by more solos for sarod and sarangai.