Hindustani Music Guide
मारवा
A profoundly serious evening raag without Pa, where Sa itself becomes unstable and elusive.
Raag Marwa is one of the most austere and demanding raags in the Hindustani tradition. It omits Pa entirely and treats Sa with such restlessness that the tonic itself feels unstable—a rare quality among raags. The melodic gravity centers around Re(k) and Dha, creating an atmosphere of intense longing and unresolved tension that defines its singular character.
This summary is designed as a learner-facing orientation. Interpretive details can vary by source and performance lineage.
Ni Re(k) Ga Ma(t) Dha Ni Sa
Sa Ni Dha Ma(t) Ga Re(k) Sa
Re(k) Ga, Dha Ni Dha, Ma(t) Ga Re(k) Sa
Uses komal Re and tivra Ma. Pa is absent. Sa is treated as unstable, often approached obliquely.
The instability of Sa is Marwa's most distinctive feature. Performers often avoid landing squarely on Sa, creating an atmosphere of perpetual suspension. Distinguished from Puriya by the emphasis on Re and Dha rather than Ga and Ni.
These embeds are included as listening leads. Curated performance choices should be reviewed editorially over time.
Search: Raag Marwa Hindustani Classical
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Search for classical performances of Raag Marwa.
Bollywood song to raag mappings can vary by source and interpretation.
Teesri Kasam (1966)
Singer: Mukesh. Composer: Shankar-Jaikishan. Sometimes cited in discussions of Marwa-adjacent melodic color.
Listen on YouTubeTraditional compositions set in this raag.
Derived from shared thaat, mood, or time-of-day relationships.
पूरिया
A serious evening raag without Pa, built on komal Re and tivra Ma with deep melodic gravity.
Thaat: Marwa
Time: Evening
भटियार
A rare dawn raag from the Marwa thaat with komal Re and tivra Ma, conveying profound solemnity.
Thaat: Marwa
Time: Dawn
हेमंत
A serene evening raag associated with the early winter season, combining warmth and gentle melancholy.
Thaat: Asavari
Time: Evening