Raga Marwa is a deep and soul-stirring raga in the Hindustani classical music tradition. It is known for its profound and introspective melodies, evoking a sense of deep contemplation and spiritual longing. Marwa is traditionally performed during the late evening or early night, creating an atmosphere of profound tranquility. This raga’s arohi and avarohi are the same as raga Puriya, however the vadi swar (note) and samvadi swar are different.
Marwa is known for its profound and emotional renditions. Its melodies are often performed at a slow tempo, allowing for deep exploration and expression of the raga’s emotive qualities. The aalap, a leisurely and improvised exposition of the raga, is a central component of Marwa renditions. It allows the artist to delve into the raga’s subtle nuances and evoke a sense of deep longing and introspection.
Raga Marwa, with its poignant melodies and introspective aura, is regarded as one of the most evocative and profound ragas in the Hindustani classical music tradition. Its ability to transport listeners to a realm of deep contemplation and emotional resonance makes it a cherished and revered raga.
Listen to the clips
- Marwa · Aroha Biplab Mukherjee · from Sangeetpedia
- Marwa · Avaroha Biplab Mukherjee · from Sangeetpedia
- Marwa · Pakad Biplab Mukherjee · from Sangeetpedia
How to read the notation (S r R g G m M P d D n N)
Notation symbols
| Symbol | Meaning | Western equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| S | SA | C |
| r | Komal RE (flat Re) | D♭ (C#) |
| R | RE (natural Re) | D |
| g | Komal GA (flat Ga) | E♭ (D#) |
| G | GA (natural Ga) | E |
| m | MA (natural Ma) | F |
| M | Tivra MA (sharp Ma) | F# (G♭) |
| P | PA | G |
| d | Komal DHA (flat Dha) | A♭ (G#) |
| D | DHA (natural Dha) | A |
| n | Komal NI (flat Ni) | B♭ (A#) |
| N | NI (natural Ni) | B |
Octave indicators
| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ' before a note | The lower octave | 'S = lower SA |
| ' after a note | The upper octave | S' = upper SA |
Timing and pauses
| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| - after a note | The note is held | S- = hold SA |
| , after a note | A pause before the next note | S , R = pause before RE |