Rag Pilu

Description

Pilu is a highly flexible rag which is extremely popular in light music. But its flexibility combined with the lack of rigour which so typifies lighter music, combine to make it difficult to pin down. Its jati has variously been described as sampurna-sampurna, shadav-sampurna, and audav-sampurna, with the later enjoying the plurality of opinion. As far as the vadi and samvadi, most hold that it is Ga and Ni respectively, but it has been suggested that it should be Sa/Pa (Rao 1985). There is a general agreement that the use of both Nis and both Gas is a strong characteristic of Pilu; but it has been observed that the use of both Dhas is also common. Indeed, one need not look far to find the use of all 12 notes.

The flexibility of Pilu allows it to invoke a variety of moods. Devotional or sorrowful have been suggested, but the plurality of opinion has it as joyful and romantic.

There is also disagreement as to the timing of this rag. Clearly this rag will be performed at any time of the day or night; but from a theoretical standpoint most suggest that it is an afternoon rag.