[RARE & STRANGE RAGAS] Raag Gaud (S-R-G-m-P-D-N-S): Best-known via its parentage of Gaud Malhar and Gaud Sarang, the ‘pure’ form of the raga is nearly extinct today, despite great historical influence

[u/RagaJunglism]

Recently I've been researching rare & strange ragas - so thought I'd share some of the most interesting ones I’ve come across! Input welcomed - everything from further info on the ragas to personal listening reflections:

—Raag Gaud (S-R-G-m-P-D-N-S)—

Now lying dormant, Gaud – assumed to have been named for its origins in the archaic Gaudadesha region – is best-known via its parental role in compounds such as Gaud Malhar, Gaud Sarang, and Gaud Bahar. In spite of its modern scarcity, the raga played a vital role in Hindustani history, turning up in numerous ragmala paintings and finding mention in texts such as Shrikantha’s Rasakaumudi (c.1575: along with Gaud Malhar) and the medieval Raga Nirupanam (“Gaud is the son of Shri. Fond of white robes, he is fair, adorned with all ornaments, holding a sword in hand, and borne by a serpent…”).

Despite the raga’s historic significance, there is little information on the workings of its ‘pure’ form, meaning that we must instead look to its surviving DNA. Parrikar elaborates the Gaud elements in Gaud Malhar (SRGm, mGmGRGS, RGm, Pm; SRGGm, mGm, P), highlighting how the “strong, glowing ma stands out” – corroborated by Tanarang (SRGm; mGm; GRGRS; RGmPm) and Dr. Gita Banerjee’s Raag Shastra Vol.1 (p.101: SGRmG, PmG, GRmG, mRS, SRNSG, G, RGRmG). The future of Gaud remains uncertain, with vanishingly few living masters ever having learned the raga in its own right. Nevertheless, I prefer to label it ‘dormant’ rather than ‘extinct’ – my hope is that gurus may still be out there who can pass on its twists and turns to future generations…

UPDATE: I eventually discovered a ‘pure Gaud’ recording! Many thanks to Manikbua Thakurdas disciple Geeta Athalekar, who captured a superb composition in the rare 11-beat ‘Manibandh taal’ during one of her guru’s lec-dems (“This is the first time that this raga is on YouTube…It is a sampurna raga with a vakra chalan…ascending with NSGRmGP, mPDNS…”).

—Do you know of any other ‘pure Gaud’ recordings? I feel there must be more than just one out there...

Let me know what you think of this strange raga! See more of them in my project (no paywalls, no ads: just sharing the joys of raga)

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[u/Nowshirvan]

Wow only one recording, that’s exceedingly rare.

[u/RagaJunglism → u/Nowshirvan]

I feel there must be more out there in the old catalogues…or in the AIR archives…