What is Raga Malkauns?

Raga Malkauns is a late-night raga in Hindustani classical music known for its deep, grave, and meditative mood. It is a pentatonic raga from the Bhairavi thaat using komal Ga, Dha, and Ni with Re and Pa omitted.

Key Facts:

Thaat: Bhairavi

Jaati: Audava-Audava (pentatonic ascent and descent)

Aroh (Ascending): Sa Ga- Ma Dha- Ni- Sa

Avaroh (Descending): Sa Ni- Dha- Ma Ga- Sa

Vadi (Primary note): Ma

Samvadi (Secondary note): Sa

Time: Late night (third prahar)

Mood/Emotion: Gambhir, mystical, and introspective

Pakad (Signature phrase): Dha- Ni- Sa Ma Ma Ga- Ma Ga- Sa

Important notes or usage tips: Avoid Re and Pa; dwell on Ma and the komal swaras in slow, heavy phrases to bring out its tantric, meditative depth.

Introduction

Raag Malkauns (a.k.a Malkosh) is a very popular raga in the North Indian System (Hindustani Classical Music). In the South it is known as Hindolam. It is a pentatonic raga that has five notes Sa, Ga(k), Ma, Dha(k), and Nn(k). One would think that with so many komal (flat) notes, it would have a strong minor quality about it. However, upon close examination we see that the absence of the fifth and the strong presence of the fourth causes the mind to “invert” it. Therefore, it tends to sound surprisingly similar to Dhani to which it has a murchana relationship.

Which Thaat does Raag Malkauns belong To?

Bhairavi Learn more about Thaats here

Which Swara is Vaadi (Prominent) Swara?

Ma (Madhyam)

Which Swara is Samvaadi (Second most prominent) Swara?

Sa (Shadaj)

Which Jaati does Raag Malkauns belong to?

Audhav - Audhav Learn more about Jaati here

Which Swaras are prohibited (Vergit) in Raag Malkauns?

Re (Reshabh) and Pa (Pancham)

In which prahara is Raag Malkauns sung?

Prahar 3 Learn more about Prahara here

What is the Rasa for Raag Malkauns?

Gambhir Learn more about Rasa (Mood) here

Lower Octave - sa re ga ma pa dha ne
Middle Octave - Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Dha Ne
High Octave - SA RE GA MA PA DHA NE

Learn to Sing Raag Malkauns

Aroh
Sa Ga- Ma Dha- Ne- SA

Avaroh
SA Ne- Dha- Ma Ga- Sa

Pakad - Identification of Raag
dha- ne- Sa Ma Ma Ga- Ma Ga- SA

Sthai
Ma Ga- Sa ne- Sa dha- ne- Sa Ga- Ma Ma Ga- Ma Dha- Ne- SA Ne- Dha- SA Ne- Dha- Ma Ga- Sa

Antara
Ga- Ma Dha- Ne- SA SA SA Dha- Ne- Ne- SA MA GA- SA GA- SA Ne- SA Ne- Dha- Ne- Dha- Ma Dha- Ma Ga- Ma Ga- Sa

Lakshan Geet
Nanda ke chela dheet langarwa

Mori baiyan pakar aaj daye kyon

Aawat jawat kar pakarat hai

Gari Dungi thurkawa tohe

Kavan kaaj man harva daaye kyon

Which bollywood songs are taken from Raag Malkauns?
Man Tarpat Hari Darshan Ko Aaj Baiju Bawra

Aadha Hai Chandrama Raat Aadhi Navrang

Chham Chham Ghunghroo Bole Kaajal