Ramkali

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(Raamkali) This is an Indian musical raga (composition) that appears in the Sikh tradition from northern India and is part of the Sikh holy scripture called Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji or SGGS for short. Every raga has a strict set of rules which govern the number of notes that can be used; which notes can be used; and their interplay that has to be adhered to for the composition of a tune.

In the SGGS, the Sikh holy Granth (book), there are a total of 60 raga compositions and this raga is the thirty-eighth raga to appear in the series. The composition in this raga appears on a total of 99 pages from page numbers 876 to 975.

Raag Ramkali (ਰਾਮਕਲੀ) – The emotions in Ramkali are like those of a wise teacher disciplining their student. The student is aware of the pain of learning, but is still conscious of the fact that ultimately it is for the best. In this way Ramkali conveys the change from all that we are familiar with, to something we are certain will be better.


Ramkali is not given in the Ragmala but is one of the most important ragas of the Guru Granth Sahib. All Gurus, including Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, have composed verses to this raga. The total number of shabads comes to over three hundred. In the Guru Granth Sahib Ji, a number of hymns in Ramkali expound True Yoga and other spiritual issues. Some celebrated compositions such as Sidha Gosti, Anand, Sadd, Oankar, and the Var by Satta and Balvand are composed to this raga. Some of the verses also contain analogies to music and musical instruments. Four forms of this raga are recognized, although only two are in general use today. The raga belongs to the Bhairav thata.

Section Punjabi English
Aroh: ਸ ਗ ਮ ਪ ਧ੝ ਨ ਸ Sa Ga Ma Pa Dha Ni Sa
Avroh: ਸ ਨ ਧ੝ ਪ ਮ’ ਪ ਧ੝ ਨ੝ ਧ੝ ਪ ਗ ਮ ਰ ਸ Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma' Pa Dha Ni Dha Pa Ga Ma Re Sa
Pakar: ਧ੝ ਪ, ਮ' ਪ, ਧ੝ ਨ੝ ਧ੝ ਪ, ਗ, ਮ ਰ੝ ਸ Dha Pa, Ma' Pa, Dha Ni Dha Pa, Ga, Ma Re Sa
Vadi: Pa
Samvadi: ਰ੝ Re

Gurbani Keertan in Raag Ramkali


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