What is a raga?

A raga is the melodic framework of Indian classical music: a set of notes and the way the melody rises and falls through them. Its signature phrase, called the pakad in Hindustani music, identifies it. A raga also carries a mood (rasa), and in Hindustani music often a time of day.

Musicians compose in a raga and improvise inside its rules. Yaman, for example, is an evening raga that uses the sharp fourth, teevra Ma.