Artique Blog

This article delves into the intricacies of Pancham Raga , the fifth melody in Indian classical music . Before commencing my discourse, I would like to share some fascinating information about this genre. In a previous article, I elucidated that ancient seers were inclined to identify comparable objects whenever they deemed it necessary to create metaphors and relied heavily on nature to formalize them. While I intend to expound on the world's first grammatical concept of painting in future articles, it wouldn't be amiss to touch upon it briefly in this chapter as well. Consider the following notion: How did the earliest philosophers ascertain musical scales for the first time? What ancient principles guided the development of actual musical scales? The answer lies in nature, specifically in animal voices ! Initial ideas concerning musical scales arose from animal sounds. Conversely, natural soundscapes helped them identify ideal musical scales. In Indian classical music, th...

For decades, the authenticity of Ragamala paintings has been a subject of numerous controversies. The common belief among ordinary people is that they are merely products of ancient Indian monks' imagination. At the same time, some creative minds revere them as unique artistic creations crafted by unknown sages. However, there are moments when esoteric reality comes to light under certain circumstances. In this chapter, I will unveil the truth behind the musical rhythm of Megh-Raag through the performance of one of history's greatest singers. This is not a fictional tale but an actual historical event that occurred during Emperor Akbar 's reign. Emperor Akbar in his court In my previous discourse, I posited that despite Emperor Akbar's illiteracy, he possessed an insatiable curiosity. He held a profound appreciation for skilled individuals and bestowed upon them the honor of serving in his court. Nine such gifted and imaginative persons graced the king's court du...

In this segment, I am to present the third figurative model of Indian classical music, known as the Bhairava Raga . The tune is for the summer season. In the previous episode, I said that miniature artists were suitably impressed by the myth of Lord Krishna when they represented the symbolic form of Basant Raga due to its geographical location. However, in their attempt to depict Bhairava on canvas, these artists were motivated by their imaginative perception of Lord Shiva . What was the rationale behind this choice? The answer lies in a precise description provided by an anonymous author regarding this Raga, which bears striking similarity with Lord Shiva's persona. Another reason behind this unique fabrication was that Lord Shiva is regarded as a symbol of peace and satiety based on the perspective of Hindu sages . It also represents rigidity and frenzy during the summer; hence, it embodies two opposing characters - an exciting and incredible combination! Based on Hindu mythol...

In the opening episode, I explained the main symbolic meaning of musical rhythm as represented through Sri-Raga . This figurative symbol pointed to the spring season. The natural event where winter always gives way to spring after its quiet duration is truly extraordinary, as it revitalizes nature and highlights why we should cherish our beautiful world for a longer time! Spring brings endless joy that fills us with happiness; additionally, it refreshes us uniquely by helping us forget our darkest past experiences. Adhering to the laws of nature, an unidentified composer created a musical composition and seamlessly integrated it into the Sri-Raga. As previously noted, nature exerts an undeniable influence over the individual psyche; however, Basant-Raga was expertly crafted to showcase the beauty of spring. Personally, I have frequently been delighted with this remarkable musical creation, which can alleviate emotional and mental distress. The Indian film industry boasts countless tim...

Drawing inspiration from the intricate miniature painting techniques of the 16th century, I have undertaken a comprehensive analysis of my artworks in the earlier period of my artistic life. Specifically, my musical series was significantly influenced by the Ragamala miniature paintings , and an in-depth discussion will catalyse a deeper appreciation of fascinating historical anecdotes that underpin these exquisite Ragamala paintings. The symbolic model of Sri Raga was created based on a musical rhythm designed for the fall-winter season. This melody effectively captures the profound emotional essence of autumn and winter while also adding a festive touch. Although the original composer of this musical arrangement is unknown, there is a mythological tale that suggests Lord Shiva was its creator. According to legend, when the devotee Narada inquired about the source and power of musical sounds, Lord Shiva revealed their origin upon his request. Suddenly, nature became enchanted by t...

Indian Ragamala Paintings The Indian Ragamala Painting is a vibrant and intricate art form that has been part of Indian culture for centuries. It is a visual representation of the classical Indian musical tunes , consisting of a series of musical modes or ragas , each with its unique character and mood. The Ragamala paintings illustrate different ragas and their associated emotions , seasons , and related themes. They are typically created on paper or cloth using natural pigments and dyes. These paintings are often decorated with fine gold plates and intricate patterns. The origins of the Ragamala paintings can be traced back to the 16th century, during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar . They were inspired by the aesthetic traditions of the Rajput courts of Rajasthan and the Persian and Central Asian art forms that were popular at the time. Indeed, for the first time, artists of Rajasthan imagined the figurative form of Indian musical tunes, and they were the pioneers of Rag...