♪
♫
♩
♬

Raaga & Taal Library

Discover the soul of Indian classical music

Journey through thousands of years of musical heritage with our comprehensive collection of raagas, taals, ancient texts, and manuscripts. Each raaga captures a unique emotion and time of day, while taals provide the rhythmic framework that brings music to life. From the meditative depths of रागा मालकौंस to the joyous expressions of रागा देश, explore the timeless traditions that continue to inspire musicians worldwide.

Begin Your Journey

🎼 Featured Taals

Taals are rhythmic cycles that organize time in Indian classical music. Each taal has a specific number of beats arranged in a unique pattern, providing the foundation for melodic improvisations and compositions.

Teentaal
16 Beats
Most common taal in Hindustani classical music, with 16 beats divided into 4+4+4+4.
Ektaal
12 Beats
Elegant 12-beat cycle arranged in 2+2+2+2+2+2, often used for slower tempo compositions.
Jhaptaal
10 Beats
10-beat cycle divided as 2+3+2+3, creating an asymmetrical pattern with unique expressive quality.
Dadra
6 Beats
Popular 6-beat cycle (3+3) commonly used in light classical forms like thumri and ghazal.
View All Taals →

Music is the universal language of mankind. When the true melody of the universe resonates within, raaga becomes not just a system of notes, but a pathway to transcendence.

— Ancient Indian Proverb

Understanding Raagas

A raaga is more than just a scale or a collection of notes. It's a melodic framework that includes specific ascending and descending patterns, characteristic phrases, and emotional resonances. Each raaga has its own unique personality and is traditionally associated with a specific time of day or season.

  • Aroha - The ascending pattern of notes
  • Avaroha - The descending pattern of notes
  • Pakad - Characteristic phrases that define the raaga
  • Vadi & Samvadi - Important notes that establish the mood

Understanding Taals

Taals are the rhythmic frameworks of Indian classical music. Unlike Western music's emphasis on measures, Indian rhythm focuses on cycles. Each cycle (avartan) consists of a specific number of beats divided into sections (vibhags) marked by special emphases and gestures.

  • Sam - The first and most emphasized beat of the cycle
  • Tali - Clap gestures marking important beats
  • Khali - Wave gestures marking empty beats
  • Vibhag - Sections that divide the taal into manageable units