Malkaush
Encyclopedia
Malkaush is a raga
in Indian classical music
. It is one of the most ancient ragas of Indian classical music. The equivalent raga in Carnatic music
is called Hindolam
, not to be confused with the Hindustani Hindol
.
(the wife of Shiva
) to calm Shiva, when the lord Shiva
was outraged and was not calming down after Tandav in rage of Sati's sacrifice.
Malkaush belongs to Shaivait musical school; in fact most pentatonic ragas belong to Shaivait musical school.
thaat
. Its notes
are Sa, komal Ga, shuddh Ma, komal Dha, and komal Ni. In Western classical notation, its notes can be denoted as: tonic, minor third, perfect fourth, minor sixth and minor seventh. In raga Malkaush, Rishabh (Re - second) and Pancham (Pa - perfect fifth) are completely omitted. Its jaati is audav-audav (five-five, that is, pentatonic).
Arohana
: 'n S g m d n S'
Avarohana
: S' n d m g m g S, or S' n d m g S
The ga used is actually ga Sadharan (the rough minor third), 316 cent above Sa
swara is Madhyam (Ma) while the Samavadi
swara is Shadaj (Sa).
The komal Ni in Malkauns is different from the komal Ni in Bhimpalasi.
The best time for this raga is late night. The effect of the raga is soothing and intoxicating.
'Rajasekhara' in the film 'Anarkali' in Tamil and Telugu is a famous composition based on this in South India.
Raga
A raga is one of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music.It is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made...
in Indian classical music
Indian classical music
The origins of Indian classical music can be found in the Vedas, which are the oldest scriptures in the Hindu tradition. Indian classical music has also been significantly influenced by, or syncretised with, Indian folk music and Persian music. The Samaveda, one of the four Vedas, describes music...
. It is one of the most ancient ragas of Indian classical music. The equivalent raga in Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
is called Hindolam
Hindolam
Hindolam is a rāgam in Carnatic music . It is an audava rāgam . It is a janya rāgam , as it does not have all the seven swaras . Hindolam is not the same as the Hindustani Hindol...
, not to be confused with the Hindustani Hindol
Hindol
Hindol is a Hindustani classical raga.-Technical description:Although a Hindustani classical raga is supposed to have at least five notes in both arohana and avarohana , Hindol is an exception. It has only four notes in the arohana, and five in the avarohana.Re and Pa are excluded completely. The...
.
Etymology
The name Malkaush is derived by the combination of Mal and Kaushik, which means he who wears serpents like garlands—the god Shiva. However, the Malav-Kaushik mentioned in classical texts does not appear to be the same as the Malkauns performed today . The raga is believed to have been created by goddess ParvatiParvati
Parvati is a Hindu goddess. Parvati is Shakti, the wife of Shiva and the gentle aspect of Mahadevi, the Great Goddess...
(the wife of Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
) to calm Shiva, when the lord Shiva
Shiva
Shiva is a major Hindu deity, and is the destroyer god or transformer among the Trimurti, the Hindu Trinity of the primary aspects of the divine. God Shiva is a yogi who has notice of everything that happens in the world and is the main aspect of life. Yet one with great power lives a life of a...
was outraged and was not calming down after Tandav in rage of Sati's sacrifice.
Malkaush belongs to Shaivait musical school; in fact most pentatonic ragas belong to Shaivait musical school.
Arohana and Avarohana
Malkaush belongs to the BhairaviBhairavi
Bhairavi is a fierce and terrifying aspect of the Devi virtually indistinguishable from Kali, except for her particular identification as the consort of the Bhairava.-Symbolism:...
thaat
Thaat
A thāt is a mode in northern Indian or Hindustani music. Thāts always have seven different pitches and are a basis for the organization and classification of ragas in North Indian classical music.- System :...
. Its notes
Swara
The seven notes of the scale , in Indian music are named shadja, rishabh, gandhar, madhyam, pancham, dhaivat and nishad, and are shortened to Sa, Ri or Re , Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, and Ni and written S, R, G, M, P, D, N. Collectively these notes are known as the sargam...
are Sa, komal Ga, shuddh Ma, komal Dha, and komal Ni. In Western classical notation, its notes can be denoted as: tonic, minor third, perfect fourth, minor sixth and minor seventh. In raga Malkaush, Rishabh (Re - second) and Pancham (Pa - perfect fifth) are completely omitted. Its jaati is audav-audav (five-five, that is, pentatonic).
Arohana
Arohana
Arohana, Arohanam or Arohan, in the context of North Indian Classical Music and South Indian Classical Music, is the ascending scale of notes in a raga...
: 'n S g m d n S'
Avarohana
Avarohana
An Avarohana, Avarohanam or Avarohan in Indian classical music terminology is the descending scale of any raga. Each raga has an avarohana and arohana. The notes descend in pitch from the octave tonic down to the lower tonic...
: S' n d m g m g S, or S' n d m g S
The ga used is actually ga Sadharan (the rough minor third), 316 cent above Sa
Vadi and Samavadi
The vadiVadi (Hindustani classical music)
Vadi, in both Hindustani classical music and Carnatic music, is the dominant swara of a given raga . "Vadi is the most sonant or most important note of a Raga." It does not refer to the most played note but it rather refers to a note of special significance.It is usually the swara which is...
swara is Madhyam (Ma) while the Samavadi
Samavadi
In Indian classical music, the second-most prominent note of a raga is referred as samvadi. This could be misleading, as it may not necessarily refer to the second-most played note....
swara is Shadaj (Sa).
Other Characteristics
Malkauns is a serious, meditative raga, and is developed mostly in the lower octave (mandra saptak) and in a slow tempo (vilambit laya). Ornaments such as midh, gamak and andolan are used rather than 'lighter' ornaments such as murki and khatka. Komal Ni is generally considered the starting note (graha swara), and the notes komal Ga and komal Dha are performed with vibrato (andolit). All five swaras can function as pausing notes.The komal Ni in Malkauns is different from the komal Ni in Bhimpalasi.
The best time for this raga is late night. The effect of the raga is soothing and intoxicating.
Related Ragas
Some related ragas are Chandrakauns, Sampoorna Malkauns, Pancham Malkauns, Kausi Kanada, Madhukauns and Jogkauns.Film Songs
'Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj' (film Baiju Bawra), 'Aadha Hai Chandrama Raat Aadhi' (film Navrang), 'Chham Chham Ghunghroo Bole' (film Kaajal), 'Ankhiyan Sang Ankhiyaan Laagi Aaj', 'Balma Maane Na' (film Opera House) and 'Rang raliyaan karat sautan sang' (film Birbal My Brother) are a few popular Hindi film compositions based on Malkaush.'Rajasekhara' in the film 'Anarkali' in Tamil and Telugu is a famous composition based on this in South India.
Important Recordings
- Amir KhanUstad Amir KhanUstad Amir Khan was a well-known Indian classical vocalist. He is considered one of the most influential figures in Hindustani classical music, and the founder of the Indore Gharana.-Early life and background:...
, Ragas Hansadhwani and Malkauns, HMVHMVHis Master's Voice is a trademark in the music business, and for many years was the name of a large record label. The name was coined in 1899 as the title of a painting of the dog Nipper listening to a wind-up gramophone...
LP (long-playing record)LP recordThe LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
, EMI-EASD1357 - The oldest recording is by Abdul Karim KhanAbdul Karim KhanUstad Abdul Karim Khan , was an Indian classical singer of the Kairana gharana .-Early life and background:...
from 1905.