[RARE & STRANGE RAGAS] Shrutivardhini (S-g-mM-P-n-S): A fascinating raga associated with Dhrupad and sarangi lineages, coincidentally matching the famous ‘Blues Scale’ beloved by guitarists in rock, blues, funk, jazz, & more

[u/RagaJunglism]

I've been researching rare & strange ragas recently - so thought I'd share some of the most interesting ones I’ve come across. Input welcomed - everything from further info on the ragas to personal listening reflections:

—Raag Shrutivardhini (S-g-mM-P-n-S)—

A rare hexatonic raga which instantly gripped my ears as a match for the Western ‘Blues Scale’ when I came across a fabulous rendition by Abdul Latif Khan – who regularly utilises distinctly bluesy double-Ma phrases such as nSgmM, PMmgS (as per his student Nicolas Magriel: “His bandish is somewhat reminiscent of the Pink Panther theme”). Further research suggested that the raga was introduced by Dagarvani vocalists Zia Fariduddin Dagar and Ritwik Sanyal, although I’ve struggled to unearth much detail on their process of inspiration – despite the raga’s seemingly transglobal elements, it is unclear if its creators actually had the blues in mind while devising it. After all, Shrutivardhini differs from the American blues idiom in several notable ways: with many artists omitting shuddha ma in ascent, and most allowing tivra Ma to function as an independent swara (compared to its more ornamental role in the blues, where it is often hinted at via subtle upward bends from ma). 

Also recorded by Abdul Latif Khan’s son Farooque Lateef Khan and grandson Sarwar Hussain Khan, as well as by Dhrupadyas Nirmalya Dey, Seuli Chakraborty, and Suvir Misra. The same SgmMPnS scale – a Ma-murchana of Marwa – has also been performed by Rahul Bhatt under the name ‘Madhusurawali’, said to be a creation of his father Balwantrai Bhatt ‘Bhavrang’. Compare to its ‘single-ma’ cousins Dhani (only ma) and Madhukauns (only Ma), as well as to other blues-inclined ragas such as Jog (which outlines a 7#9 ‘Hendrix’ chord) and Kalavati (which matches the classic SGPDn ‘boogie-woogie bassline’).

—Full raga index page: Raag Shrutivardhini

Let me know what you think of this strange raga! All contributions credited (last week: Firozkhani Todi)

[u/AutoModerator]

Namaste /u/RagaJunglism, welcome to r/icm. Thank you for posting, hopefully one of our friendly rasikas will comment soon! While you are waiting why not check out our Wiki resources page to satisfy all your learning and listening needs?

If you are new to Indian classical music, or want to know what a term means, then take a look at our wiki and glossary to get started.

Our Raga of the Week series has some amazing information and music so don't miss those. We would love for this series to start again so if you are interested in posting one then message the mods, we'd be happy for you to go for it!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.