Abstract

The Raga is a framework encompassing a set of rules prescribed for the melody, for the movements up and down the scale, for which notes are to be prominent, which notes or phrases are to be avoided, and so on. The framework also allows for endless variations within the set of notes. Thus, a raga is a particular arrangement of notes and melodic movements. However, it should be noted that as ragas were transmitted orally from teacher to student, some ragas vary across regions, traditions and styles. In the Indian musical tradition, ragas are associated with different times of the day, or with seasons. Indian classical music is always set in a raga. The major vocal forms or styles of Gwalior Gharana is associated with Indian classical music are Dhrupad, Khyal, and Tarana. Other forms include Dhamar, Trivat, Chaiti, Kajari, Tappa, Tap-khyal, Ashtapadis, Thumri, Dadra, Ghazal and Bhajan; these are folk or semi-classical or light classical styles, as they often do not adhere to the rigorous rules of classical music. The various forms of singing in Indian classical music is presented in this paper which are very selected compositions of singing styles is totally based on ragas and these forms playing a very important role in conserving of ragas.