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'''Raga Asa'''
This is an India 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]] 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 composition of 31 ragas and this raga is the fourth raga to appear in the series. The composition in this raga appear on 142 pages from page numbers 347 to 489.


This is the fourth [[Raga]] to appear in the [[Guru Granth Sahib]].The first raga is [[Sri]] Raga and the last Raga is [[Jaijavanti]].
Asa is a very old [[raga]] which was once popular in the [[Punjab]] (northern [[India]]) but seldom heard in concerts today.  In the [[Guru Granth Sahib]]'s [[Ragmala]] this is a ragini (subset) of raga Megha.  However, today it is assigned to the "Bilaval" thata ("set"). Asa is a devotional raga for the cold season and is performed in the early morning just before sunrise.  However, it is also known as a twilight melody with a calm mystical mood.  [[Raga Asa]] was used by [[Guru Nanak]], [[Guru Angad]], [[Guru Amar Das]], [[Guru Ram Das]], [[Guru Arjan]] and [[Guru Tegh Bahadur]].


It appears on pages 347 to 489 and covers a total of 142 pages.
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.


* Aroh: Sa Re Ma Pa Dha Sa
* Avroh: Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa
* Vadi: Ma
* Samvadi: Sa


Asa is a very old raga, once popular in the [[Punjab]] but seldom heard in concerts today. In the [[Ragmala]] (final Bani in the SGGS) this is a ragini of raga [[Megha]]. However, today it is assigned to the [[Bilaval]] thataAsa is a devotional raga for the cold season and is performed in the early morning just before sunrise. However, it is also known as a twilight melody with a calm mystical mood. Asa was used by [[Guru Nanak]], [[Guru Angad Dev]], [[Guru Amar Das]], [[Guru Ram Das]], [[Guru Arjan]] and [[Guru Teg Bahadur]].
Asa is a crooked (vakra) raga in that approaches to certain notes have to be made from a set position.  Its variants as given in the [[SGGS]] are Kafi and Asavari, both of which have many features in common with Asa. This raga may have originated in Maharashtra about the time of the major [[Muslim]] invasionsIts pleasing sound made it suitable for bhajans by the [[Hindu]] devotees.  




[[Aroh]] : Sa Re Ma Pa Dha Sa
==See also ==


[[Avroh]] : Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa
* [[Ragas in the SGGS]]
* [[Kirtan]]
* [[Raga]]
* [[Sikh Kirtan]]
* [[Taal]]


[[Vadi]] : Ma
==External Links==
* [http://www.gurmatsangeetproject.com/  Gurmat Sangeet Project]
* [http://www.rajacademy.com/  Raj Academy of Asian Music]
* [http://www.sikhnet.com/GurbaniKirtan/ Sikhnet: Shabad for Printing]


[[Samvadi]] : Sa


[[Category:Sikhism]]
[[Category:Sikh Kirtan]]


Asa is a crooked (vakra) raga in that approaches to certain notes have to be made from a set position. Its variants as given in the Holy Book are Kafi and Asavari, both of which have many features in common with Asa. This raga may have originated in Maharashtra about the time of the major Muslim invasions. Its pleasing sound made it suitable bhajans by the Hindu devotees.


Excerpts taken from Encyclopedia of Sikhism by Harbans Singh. Published by Punjabi University, Patiala
With Compliments to [http://allaboutsikhs.com/gurbani/raags/asa.htm AllAboutSikhs.com]


See also [[Raga]], [[Kirtan]], [[Sikh Kirtan]], [[Taal]]




[[Category:Arts and Heritage]]
[[Category:Arts and Heritage]]
[[Category:Raga]]
[[Category:Raga]]

Revision as of 18:42, 6 September 2006

This is an India 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 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 composition of 31 ragas and this raga is the fourth raga to appear in the series. The composition in this raga appear on 142 pages from page numbers 347 to 489.

Asa is a very old raga which was once popular in the Punjab (northern India) but seldom heard in concerts today. In the Guru Granth Sahib's Ragmala this is a ragini (subset) of raga Megha. However, today it is assigned to the "Bilaval" thata ("set"). Asa is a devotional raga for the cold season and is performed in the early morning just before sunrise. However, it is also known as a twilight melody with a calm mystical mood. Raga Asa was used by Guru Nanak, Guru Angad, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, Guru Arjan and Guru Tegh Bahadur.

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.

  • Aroh: Sa Re Ma Pa Dha Sa
  • Avroh: Sa Ni Dha Pa Ma Ga Re Sa
  • Vadi: Ma
  • Samvadi: Sa

Asa is a crooked (vakra) raga in that approaches to certain notes have to be made from a set position. Its variants as given in the SGGS are Kafi and Asavari, both of which have many features in common with Asa. This raga may have originated in Maharashtra about the time of the major Muslim invasions. Its pleasing sound made it suitable for bhajans by the Hindu devotees.


See also

External Links