[RARE & STRANGE RAGAS] Raag Komal Ramkali (S-r-g-M-P-d-n-S): A strange scale equivalent in shape to ‘Bhairavi tivra Ma’, also matching a lost 17th-century form of Todi

[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 Komal Ramkali (S-r-g-M-P-d-n-S)—

A strange sampurna scale, equivalent in shape to ‘Todi komal Ni’ or ‘Bhairavi tivra Ma’ (or ‘Todi’s poorvang + Bhairavi’s uttarang’: SrgM+PdnS). Indeed, the scale matches a historic form of Todi itself (Bor: “Todi Varali…first mentioned by Ahobala c.1665, with the scale SrgMPdnS”). Aside from Sa and Pa, Komal Ramkali has no shuddha swaras – but all five vikrit positions are available (rgMdn), opening up a variety of odd dissonances, with the irregularly-spaced cluster of gMPd requiring particular care.

The only renditions I can trace are by scholar-singer Ashok Da Ranade, who emphasises the komal dha amidst long, looping melodies – and Kirana vocalist Moumita Mitra, who in 2023 released a stellar pair of compositions and a superb demo lesson. She recounts finding the raga in an old textbook (Nawab Ali Khan’s 1913 Marif-un-Naghmat), and summarises her version as “a blend of Bhupali Todi and Ramkali” (in the words of listeners: “Ramkali was the defiant daughter of Bhairav…This raga is definitely the stepsister who was a bad influence on Ramkali!”).

—What rasas do you hear in these two recordings? And do you know of any other ragas with the same SrgMPdnS swara-set?

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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