Description
Bageshri is a very popular rag of Kafi that found in both classical and lighter forms of music. The term “Bageshri” is a corruption of Vageeshwari; by which it it is often referred to in old texts. It has been said that this rag was first sung by Tansen, the royal musician in the court of the emperor Akbar.
There are a number of popular songs in this rag. Some notable ones are AjaRe Pardesi, Radha Na Bole Na Bole Re, or Bola Na.
Discussing Bageshri can be difficult because there are several different versions. There are five versions which differ only in the number of notes used.
- The audav-shadav version omits Re and Pa in the ascending portion, but omits only Pa in the descending. This particular version is problematic because it tends to impinge upon Rag Shri-Ranjani.
- The audav-sampurna version omits Re and Pa in the ascending portions, but allows all of the notes while descending. This appears to be the most common approach, and is the one we will use here.
- The shadav-shadav version omits the Pa in both ascending and descending.
- The shadav-sampurna version omits only Pa in the ascending movement.
- The sampurna-sampurna version allows all seven notes in both the ascending and descending movements
Arohana
(general discussion of arohana) – (general discussion of notation)
Avarohana
(general discussion of avarohana)
Jati
Disputed – (general discussion of jati)
Vadi
Ma – (general discussion of vadi)
Samvadi
Sa – (general discussion of samvadi)
Time
Midnight – (general discussion of time and rag)
That
Kafi That – (general discussion of that)
Drone
Sa – Ma – Even though Pa is usually present, Ma is generally used in the drone. (general discussion of drone)