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

Shortly after “In C,” Riley gave up the use of notation, devoting himself to keyboard improvisation and his vocal raga practice.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 6, 2025

His playing drew on country, jazz, blues, surf-rock and raga; his compositions almost always set up a contrapuntal dialogue of guitars with distinct tones, colluding or contending.

From New York Times • Jan. 29, 2023

There is also often a mood associated with a raga, such as a time of day the song should be sung, or a season of the year like monsoon season, hot season, or winter.

From "Music and the Child" by Natalie Sarrazin