Yaman (raga)


Yaman is a heptatonic Indian classical raga of Kalyan Thaat.

Description

Yaman emerged from the parent musical scale of Kalyan. Considered to be one of the most fundamental ragas in Hindustani tradition, it is thus often one of the first ragas taught to students.

Mechanics

Yaman's Jati is a Sampurna raga and in some cases Shadav; the ascending Aaroha scale and the descending style of the avroha includes all seven notes in the octave. All the scale notes in the raga are Shuddha, the exception being Teevra Madhyam or prati madhyamam. The notes of the raga are considered analogous to the western Lydian mode, which was the predominant scale used in classical antiquity, before being usurped by those of the pre-Modern era.
Not to be mistaken, Raag Yaman is slightly different from Raag Yaman Kalyan. Both have almost the same base, but they are sung differently. The Aroha and Avaroha of Yaman Kalyan goes like this:
SRGMDNS'
S'NDPMGRS

Vadi and Samavadi

is ga, Samvadi is ni.

Pakad or Chalan

Kalyan has no specific phrases or particular features, many musicians avoid Sa and Pa in ascend or treat them very weakly. You often hear N0 R G M+ D N S' in ascent and S' N D M+ G R S in descend).


Sa is avoided in beginning the ascend such as N0 R G M+ P D N S'

Organization and relationships

There is some discussion whether Yaman and Kalyan really just are different names for the same raga, or that these are actually 2 ragas. Joep Bor says "Kalyan ", Kaufmann says that Yaman and Kalyan are just different names, but insists that rāga Yaman-Kalyan is different as there natural Ma is occasionally inserted between two Ga, like Ga Ma Ga Re Sa, while in all other instances tivra Ma. S. Bagchee agrees with Kaufmann. Bor : If natural Ma is occasionally added in a concluding figure leading to Sa, the raga is known as Yaman-Kalyan.


Kalyan is mixed with several ragas:
Yaman raga mixing in other ragas:
Thaat: Kalyan is type raga of Kalyan thaat. In thaat Kalyan, all notes are shuddha except teevra Ma.

Behaviour

Yaman is regarded one of the grandest and most fundamental ragas in Hindustani music. It is one of the first ragas taught to students but it also has great scope for improvisation.

Samay (Time)

Ragas in the Kalyan thaat, including Yaman, should be performed during the first quarter of the night.

Seasonality

Rasa

Kalyan is described by Meshakarna as "lord in white garments and pearl necklace on a splendid lion-throne, under a royal umbrella, fanned with whisk, chewing betel"
A song text is:

Hey friend, without my lover
I don't find peace
At any moment of the day;
Since my lover went away
I spend my nights counting the stars

Historical Information

Yaman is not an ancient raga. It is first mentioned in the literature in the late 16th century, by which time it was very popular: The Sahasras contains 45 dhrupad song-texts for Kalyan and five for Iman-Kalyan. According to Venkatamakhin, Kalyan was a favourite melody to the Arabs, and Pundarika included Yaman among his 'Persian' Ragas.

Origins

Important recordings

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Literature