What is a raga? To some, it may appear as a fixed arrangement of notes, a framework of rules. But to those who listen deeply, a raga is far more – it is emotion, philosophy, and storytelling without words.
Every raga carries a soul of its own. Raag Bhairav, performed at dawn, invokes devotion and surrender. Raag Malhar seems to converse with the clouds, calling rain to the parched earth. Raag Desh can fill the heart with patriotic fervor, while Raag Kafi carries the gentle ease of spring. A raga is not just sound; it is a world of bhava – a universe of feeling created through swara, laya, and silence.
The uniqueness of Indian classical music lies in this ability to evoke emotion without verbal explanation. The listener does not need to be told “this is joy” or “this is sorrow.” Instead, the raga gently draws those emotions out of the heart, making each experience intimate and personal.
At ABGMVM, we remind students that technique alone does not make an artist. Mastery of swaras, taalas, and compositions is important, but the true test lies in expressing bhava. It is only when an artist learns to let their music breathe emotion that they move from being performers to being conveyors of rasa.
Our 125-year journey has been guided by this vision – that music is not just entertainment but a path of inner refinement. Every student who walks through our doors is not only taught the grammar of ragas but also encouraged to feel their essence, to understand their moods, and to offer them with sincerity to the audience.
In the end, a raga is not heard, it is felt. And when notes speak without words, they carry forward not just melody, but the eternal spirit of Indian classical music – a spirit that ABGMVM continues to uphold with devotion and pride.
