raga
UK[ˈrɑːɡə]US[ˈrɑːɡə]
n
A pattern of notes in Indian classical music used as a basis for improvisation and composition.
Etymology
The word 'raga' entered English directly from Sanskrit, where its root 'rāga' signifies "color, dye, passion, or emotion." This conceptual link between color/mood and musical mode is central to Indian aesthetics, where each raga is believed to evoke specific feelings and atmospheres, much like a color palette. The term was adopted into English in the late 18th century as Western engagement with Indian classical music deepened. It retains its original specialized meaning, referring to the melodic framework that is the essential foundation for improvisation and composition in that tradition.
Analysis
The word 'raga' is a direct loanword from Sanskrit (राग), meaning "color, tone, passion, melody." It functions as a simplex noun in English.
Examples
The sitarist began his performance with a slow, meditative raga.
She is studying the complex rules governing the presentation of a particular raga.
The raga is not just a scale; it carries specific emotional associations and prescribed phrases.