Indian Classical Music Is Always Set In A Raga

Indian classical music is always set in a raga. A raga is comprised of a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is constructed. The performer then interprets the raga in his or her own unique way through the construction of musical phrases that can sound like musical embroidery. No two performances are alike.

"A performance can be defined as the act of coloring the mind and emotions, and therefore metaphorically means any feeling or passion—for instance, love, affection, sympathy, desire, interest, motivation, joy or delight," said Kannan. Ragas are also associated with different times of the day as well as the seasons, he added.

This midnight raga jog is a song of longing for the beloved, explained Abhisekh. It can powerfully express the emotion, and can bring forth emotions very strongly, he said. The raga's words, "How will time go by without you? I will have sleepless nights without you," are around 100 years old, Abhisekh’s said his guru Ajay Thosar told him.

New ragas are continually being created, but it requires a level of fame for the tune to stick. Most Indian classical musicians perform well-known ragas which can easily be enjoyed by audiences familiar with the tunes.

The concert opened with a Carnatic (south Indian) raga "hamsadhvani," played by Brooklyn-based Eric Fraser, on a bamboo "bansuri" flute. The simple flute is among the oldest instruments known to mankind, and a very important instrument in Indian classical music. The blue-skinned Hindu god Krishna is typically depicted with a flute in hand.

Fraser established the raga in a slow and deliberate manner, and then slowly built up the tune, including a joyful circular journey through what felt like walking on cresting, sparkling ocean wave at times; at other times like frolicking in tall green grass under a brilliant blue sky.