Todi (raga)
Encyclopedia
Todi is a Hindustani classical
raga
which gave its name to the Todi thaat, one of the ten modes of Hindustani classical music
. Ragas from the Todi raganga include Todi (a.k.a. Miya ki Todi) itself, Bilaskhani Todi, Bahaduri Todi, and Gujari Todi.
The equivalent raga in Carnatic music
is Shubhapantuvarali
. Carnatic music also has a raga named Todi
, also known as Hanumatodi
, which is the equivalent of Bhairavi and does not have any similarity to the Hindustani Todi.
S r g M+ d N S' or
'd 'N S r g M+ d N S' or
S r g M+ d P , M+ d N S' or
S r g M+ P , M+ d N S'
Avarohana
S' N D P M+ G R S or
S N d P M+ d M+ g r g r S
in ascent re, ga and dha are intoned slightly low, and tivra ma is very sharp. In descent the intonaltion of all these notes is normal
Pa is omitted in ascent, but present and often sustained.
Kaufmann mentions that some musicians would call Todi with Pa Miyan Ki Todi, but others would see no difference between Todi and Miyan Ki Todi.
Sometimes the ascent is performed without Sa, starting from Ni.
Like Miyan Ki Malhar Miyan Ki Todi is said to be composed by Tansen
, but this seems unlikely as the Todi scale in Tansen's time was the scale of today's Bhairavi
and the name Miyan Ki Todi appears first in the 19th century literature.
Kaufman cites the Sangita-Darpana "With a fair erect body like the white lotus, and delicate like the gleaming dew drop, Todi holds the vina and provides fun and frolic to the deer deep in the forest. Her body is anointed with saffron and camphor"
.
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
raga
Raga
A raga is one of the melodic modes used in Indian classical music.It is a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is made...
which gave its name to the Todi thaat, one of the ten modes of Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music
Hindustani classical music is the Hindustani or North Indian style of Indian classical music found throughout the northern Indian subcontinent. The style is sometimes called North Indian Classical Music or Shāstriya Sangeet...
. Ragas from the Todi raganga include Todi (a.k.a. Miya ki Todi) itself, Bilaskhani Todi, Bahaduri Todi, and Gujari Todi.
The equivalent raga in Carnatic music
Carnatic music
Carnatic music is a system of music commonly associated with the southern part of the Indian subcontinent, with its area roughly confined to four modern states of India: Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu...
is Shubhapantuvarali
Shubhapantuvarali
Shubhapantuvarali is a rāgam in Carnatic music . It is the 45th melakarta rāgam in the 72 melakarta rāgam system of Carnatic music. It is called in Muthuswami Dikshitar school of Carnatic music.Raganidhi by P. Subba Rao, Pub...
. Carnatic music also has a raga named Todi
Hanumatodi
Hanumatodi, more popularly known as Todi, is a rāgam in Carnatic music . It is the 8th melakarta rāgam in the 72 melakarta rāgam system. This is sung very often in concerts. It is known to be a difficult rāgam to perform in owing to its complexity in prayoga...
, also known as Hanumatodi
Hanumatodi
Hanumatodi, more popularly known as Todi, is a rāgam in Carnatic music . It is the 8th melakarta rāgam in the 72 melakarta rāgam system. This is sung very often in concerts. It is known to be a difficult rāgam to perform in owing to its complexity in prayoga...
, which is the equivalent of Bhairavi and does not have any similarity to the Hindustani Todi.
Aroha & Avaroha
ArohanaArohana
Arohana, Arohanam or Arohan, in the context of North Indian Classical Music and South Indian Classical Music, is the ascending scale of notes in a raga...
S r g M+ d N S' or
'd 'N S r g M+ d N S' or
S r g M+ d P , M+ d N S' or
S r g M+ P , M+ d N S'
Avarohana
Avarohana
An Avarohana, Avarohanam or Avarohan in Indian classical music terminology is the descending scale of any raga. Each raga has an avarohana and arohana. The notes descend in pitch from the octave tonic down to the lower tonic...
S' N D P M+ G R S or
S N d P M+ d M+ g r g r S
Vadi and Samavadi
komal Dha and komal Gain ascent re, ga and dha are intoned slightly low, and tivra ma is very sharp. In descent the intonaltion of all these notes is normal
Pakad or Chalan
The distinctive phrase is r/g-\r\S, where r may be subtly oscillated.Pa is omitted in ascent, but present and often sustained.
Kaufmann mentions that some musicians would call Todi with Pa Miyan Ki Todi, but others would see no difference between Todi and Miyan Ki Todi.
Sometimes the ascent is performed without Sa, starting from Ni.
Organization and relationships
Miyan Ki Todi is similar to Gujari Todi and many movements are common, but in Gujari Todi Pa is omitted and there is more emphasis on Re and Dha.Like Miyan Ki Malhar Miyan Ki Todi is said to be composed by Tansen
Tansen
Mia Tansen is considered among the greatest composer-musicians in Hindustani classical music. He was an extraordinarily gifted vocalist, known for a large number of compositions, and also an instrumentalist who popularized and improved the rabab .He was among the Navaratnas at the court of the...
, but this seems unlikely as the Todi scale in Tansen's time was the scale of today's Bhairavi
Bhairavi
Bhairavi is a fierce and terrifying aspect of the Devi virtually indistinguishable from Kali, except for her particular identification as the consort of the Bhairava.-Symbolism:...
and the name Miyan Ki Todi appears first in the 19th century literature.
Rasa
Todi is nearly always shown as a gentle, beautiful woman, holding a veena and standing in a lovely green forest, surrounded by deers.Kaufman cites the Sangita-Darpana "With a fair erect body like the white lotus, and delicate like the gleaming dew drop, Todi holds the vina and provides fun and frolic to the deer deep in the forest. Her body is anointed with saffron and camphor"
External links
Literature
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