Shadava Rāga

 Shadava Rāga

Shadava Rāga, in the context of Indian classical music, refers to a specific type of raga that uses six notes in its scale. The term "Shadava" is derived from the Sanskrit word "Shad," which means six. Therefore, Shadava Rāgas are hexatonic, meaning they consist of six notes, either in the ascending (Arohana) or descending (Avarohana) scale, or both.

In Indian classical music, ragas are melodic frameworks used for improvisation and composition. Each raga consists of a specific set of notes and rules about how those notes can be used. Shadava ragas are unique because they omit one note from the traditional seven-note scale (Saptak or Sargam: Sa, Re, Ga, Ma, Pa, Dha, Ni).

Examples of Shadava Rāgas include:

1. Marwa: This raga typically uses six notes in both the ascending and descending scales, omitting the note Pa (Pancham).
2. Shivaranjani: Often characterized by its emotional expressiveness, Shivaranjani can omit certain notes to create a specific mood.

In practical terms, the omission of a note can significantly affect the mood and character of the raga, making Shadava ragas distinctive and rich in emotional expression.