Sorath
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 31 raga compositions and this raga is the ninth raga to appear in the series. The composition in this raga appears on a total of 65 pages from page numbers 595 to 660.
Raga Sorath appears in the Ragmala as a ragini of Raga Megha; today it belongs to the Khamaj thata. Besides Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Sorath was used by Guru Amar Das Ji, Guru Ram Das Ji, Guru Arjan Dev Ji, and Guru Tegh Bahadar Ji for a total of 150 hymns plus numerous slokas. Sorath belongs to the cold season and is performed in the first quarter of the night. The mood is light and cheerful, with a pleasing sound resembling Raga Desh. The texts composed to this raga show how the words of the Gurus can enlighten the mind. All fears vanish and one is filled with bliss.
The following represents the order of notes that can be used on the ascending and descending phase of the composition and the primary and secondary notes:
Section | Punjabi | English |
Aroh: | ਸ ਰ ਮ ਪ ਨ ਸ | Sa Re Ma Pa Ni Sa |
Avroh: | ਸ ਰ ਨ ਧ ਮ ਪ ਧ ਮ ਗ ਰ ਸ | Sa Re Ni Dha Ma Pa Dha Ma Ga Re Sa |
Vadi: | ਰ | Re |
Samvadi: | ਧ | Dha |
The melodies are characterized by sweeping phrases with glides connecting all leaps, even the shorter ones. Movement is moderately fast.
Gurbani Keertan in Raag Sorath
See also
External links
- Gurmat Gian Group
- Gurmat Sangeet Project
- Gurmat Sangeet
- Gurmat Sangeet Darbar
- Raj Academy of Asian Music
- Sikhnet: Shabad for Printing
Kirtan: | Raga · Taal · Ragmala · Classical Music · Sangeet · Dhuni · Divan · Asa di Var · Jatha · Simran · Shabad · Tuk · Rababi · Dhadhi |
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