Miyan ki Malhaar - The marvel and the mystique
Malhar is an old raga in Indian classical music.[1] Malhar is associated with the atmosphere of torrential rains.[2] Besides the basic Shuddha Malhar, which was the original Malhar, there are several Malhar-related ragas that use the Malhar signature phrase m (m)R (m)R P, including Miyan Malhar, Ramdasi Malhar, Gaud Malhar, Sur Malhar, Des Malhar, Nat Malhar, and Meera ki Malhar.
In my post here, I am presenting some details on Miyan ki Malhaar, one of the most distinctive Malhaar prakaar ragas. Miyan Malhaar is a monsoon raga, popularly used for invoking and embracing rain to drench the earth and welcome monsoon.
One of the Navaratnas (nine jewels) of Emperor Akbar's court - Miyan Tansen, created this raga - which is a musical prayer to monsoon for a rejuvenation of life.
The melodic structure of M.Malhaar stems largely from the raga's use of both Shuddha (while ascending) and Komal (while descending) Nishad, Ni. The melodic movement between the two Nishads, for e.g. nDNS".. or nDNP.. is the one of the signatures of this rain invoking melodious raga. Miyan Tansen was known to be so musically adept that he could invoke the rains with his rendering of the raga.
Several Rasas or moods/sentiments can be expressed through music, popularly known as the Navarasas - Shanta (tranquil or peace), Shringara (beauty), Veer (heroic), Karuna (compassion), Bhayanaka (fear), Bhakti (devotion), Vatsalya (parental love) etc.
Miyan ki Malhar creates a sense of courage, strength and heroism, primarily through Veer rasa.
Though mostly performed at night, it can be performed at any time during monsoon. The fragrance that emanates as the first raindrops touch the scorched Mother Earth is indescribable. Crickets sing, peacocks dance, frogs croak, the earth smells fresh, wet and cool. Poets, dancers, painters and musicians express exhilaration for the resurrecting powers of Nature during the rainy season. Miyan ki Malhaar can portray the joy and relief of the first torrential rains that cool the earth but on a dramatically contrasting note, it can also portray a sense of restlessness and fear of the unknown - the Chanchal rasa. In other words, a myriad of expressions can be presented in this Malhaar raga, but the Veer rasa with Karuna rasa stands out to express a plea for peace.
Several Rasas or moods/sentiments can be expressed through music, popularly known as the Navarasas - Shanta (tranquil or peace), Shringara (beauty), Veer (heroic), Karuna (compassion), Bhayanaka (fear), Bhakti (devotion), Vatsalya (parental love) etc.
Miyan ki Malhar creates a sense of courage, strength and heroism, primarily through Veer rasa.
Though mostly performed at night, it can be performed at any time during monsoon. The fragrance that emanates as the first raindrops touch the scorched Mother Earth is indescribable. Crickets sing, peacocks dance, frogs croak, the earth smells fresh, wet and cool. Poets, dancers, painters and musicians express exhilaration for the resurrecting powers of Nature during the rainy season. Miyan ki Malhaar can portray the joy and relief of the first torrential rains that cool the earth but on a dramatically contrasting note, it can also portray a sense of restlessness and fear of the unknown - the Chanchal rasa. In other words, a myriad of expressions can be presented in this Malhaar raga, but the Veer rasa with Karuna rasa stands out to express a plea for peace.
In this post, I am sharing a short Alaap in Miyan ki Malhaar as an offering to implore for peace and victory over unrest and violence. May the rains wash away all the heat and hatred that is prevalent in this world in the form of jealousy, ego, anger, violence and terrorism.
I finish with a humble attempt of a song from the movie Saaz. It was originally sung by Shri. Suresh Wadkar Ji and Kavita Krishnamurthy Ji.
Song : Baadal Ghumad Badh Aaye (Female)
Singer : Kavita Krishnamurthy
Music : Yashwant Deo
Lyricist: Javed Akhtar
Movie / Album: Saaz (1998)
Cover and Alaaps by: swaravanshi (Sudha Kumar)
Disclaimer: This alaap and cover are purely my interpretation of the raga and song, and meant to just share music and spread joy. No copyright infringements intended.
Sources of this post: Wikipedia, Malhaar blogs from classical music veterans
