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url: 'https://kalasudha.com/en-de/faq/instruments-artforms/what-is-a-raga'
title: 'What is a raga?'
author:
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date: '2026-10-27T19:15:22+00:00'
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summary: 'A raga is the melodic framework of Indian classical music: a set of notes and the way the melody rises and falls through them.'
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 FAQ · Instruments & artforms

# What is a raga?

 Updated 27 October 2026

 

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](/en-de/raga/yaman), for example, is an evening raga that uses the sharp fourth, teevra Ma.



 

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- [     Indian classical music glossary KalaSudha's Indian classical music glossary gives plain definitions for newcomers, such as what a raga is and how Hindustani and Carnatic music differ.     ](/en-de/indian-classical-music-glossary)
 
  

 

 

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