Raga Asa is a Sikh
raga
A raga ( ; , ; ) is a melodic framework for improvisation in Indian classical music akin to a musical mode, melodic mode. It is central to classical Indian music. Each raga consists of an array of melodic structures with musical motifs; and, fro ...
(composition) that emerged in the
Sikh
Sikhs (singular Sikh: or ; , ) are an ethnoreligious group who adhere to Sikhism, a religion that originated in the late 15th century in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent, based on the revelation of Guru Nanak. The term ''Si ...
tradition from
Punjab. It is part of the
Gurmat Sangeet musical tradition, which includes ragas used by Sikh Gurus for
Gurbani. It is used in the
Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy scripture.
It is not used in other Indian traditions. "Majh Khamaj" raga appears in Hindustani Sangeet, but it does not resemble the Asa of Gurmat Sangeet. "Asa" is part of the daily prayers conducted in Sikh
Gurdwaras. In composing a tune, every raga follows rules that govern the number of notes that can be used, which notes can be used, and their interplay.
In the
Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh holy ''Granth'' (book), 60 ragas appear and are of equal and independent status. Numerous Shabad Reet compositions base based on these ragas are popular in the tradition. The Gurbani hymns under raga Asa appear in Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Asa offers emotions of inspiration and courage. This raga gives the listener the determination and ambition to put aside any excuses and to proceed with necessary actions to achieve the aim. It generates feelings of passion and zeal to succeed, and the energy generated from these feelings enables the listener to find the strength to achieve success. The determined mood of this raga motivates the listener to be inspired.
Asa appeared during the 16th century. It was introduced in the classical singing styles of Gurmat Sangeet by
Guru Nanak
Gurū Nānak (15 April 1469 – 22 September 1539; Gurmukhi: ਗੁਰੂ ਨਾਨਕ; pronunciation: , ), also known as ('Father Nanak'), was an Indian spiritual teacher, mystic and poet, who is regarded as the founder of Sikhism and is t ...
Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism. The raga originated from popular folk tunes of
Punjab (northern
India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
). Raga Asa belongs to
Bilawal Thaat. Asa was used by Guru Nanak,
Guru Angad,
Guru Amar Das,
Guru Ram Das,
Guru Arjan and
Guru Tegh Bahadur.
Notes
The order of notes that can be used on the ascending and descending phase of the composition and the primary and secondary notes are:
* Aroh:
* Avroh:
* Vadi: Ma
* Samvadi: Sa
* Thaat :
Bilaval
* Jaati : Audava – Sampurna
* Resting notes : Avroha ga, ni
* Time : Evening
Asa is a crooked (''vakra'') raga requiring approaches to certain notes be made from a set position. Its variants, as given in the
Guru Granth Sahib, are Kafi and Asavari, both of which have many features in common with Asa.
See also
*
Kirtan
*
Raga
A raga ( ; , ; ) is a melodic framework for improvisation in Indian classical music akin to a musical mode, melodic mode. It is central to classical Indian music. Each raga consists of an array of melodic structures with musical motifs; and, fro ...
*
Taal
References
External links
A Sikh Shabad in Raga AsaRaga Asa instrumental played with a TausGurmat Sangeet ProjectRaj Academy of Asian MusicSikhnet: Shabad for Printing
{{Sikh Ragas
Hindustani ragas
Ragas in the Guru Granth Sahib