raga

American  

[rah-guh] / ˈrɑ gə /

noun

1. one of the melodic formulas of Hindu music having the melodic shape, rhythm, and ornamentation prescribed by tradition.

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raga British  

/ ˈrɑːɡə /

noun

1. any of several conventional patterns of melody and rhythm that form the basis for freely interpreted compositions. Each pattern is associated with different aspects of religious devotion

2. a composition based on one of these patterns

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Etymology

Origin of raga

First recorded in 1780–90, raga is from the Sanskrit word rāga color, tone

Example Sentences

In one fine scene, Charu attends a raga performance in a concert hall.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

Hazari told the Indian newspaper The Telegraph he had "never come across a singer as talented", noting the boy's rapid progression from early raga lessons to the voice the world would later know.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2026

For “When the Violin,” Gupta employs a modern instrument in a highly expressive contemporary style, holding notes and expanding time as though a sarabande might turn into a raga.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2025

In 1975, he released what might be the high-water mark of his solo discography, “Brown Rice,” a slight yet exhilarating blend of Indian raga and African rhythm with subtle electronic flourishes.

From New York Times • Mar. 6, 2024

Melodies are based on raga, which is a set of pitches similar to what we think of as a scale, but with many more non-musical characteristics.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin