Q31

Pranam Guru ji.. for the performing students it will be great help if you could advise on the set of 5/6 ragas as applicable to be performed during each prahar (block of 3 hours) / 2 hours Example: From 4pm to 6pm: Madhuvanti Bhimpalas Patdeep . . ------------- From 6pm to 8pm: Yaman Puria Puria Kalyan Etc

Dear Ram,
To start with, it is important to understand that, (in my opinion) there is some
connection between sound and light. I believe that the time theory of the ragas
could be (should be) based on this concept. Without getting technical, I would
divide the time zones during which particular identified ragas could be / should be
played would depend upon the intensity of sunlight. In other words i.e. the angle
at which the Sun’s rays are touching the ground.
To explain further, when night ends and morning starts, there is a period when the
Sun has not yet arisen, but there is Ujala (light) – this section is known as dawn.
In technical language it is known as Sandhi Prakash Samay. Similar period exists
in the evening, when the Sun has gone down but there is visibility (light). This
period is also known as Sandhi Prakash Samay. It is believed that both these
periods are very sensitive during which specific recommended ragas should be
played / sung.
Hence I would divide the time zone in the following manner.

Sr No	Time Zone	Name of Ragas to be played / sung
1	Early morning – Sandhi Prakash Prior to 5 / 6 am	• Bhatiyar • Bhankar • Kalingda • Lalit
2	When the Sun has just risen and its rays are very soft. 6 am to 9 am	• Ahir Bhairav • Bhairav • Bhairavi • Bilaskhani Todi
3	The Sun has risen further and the rays are projected from an angle of 45 degree from earth. 9 am to 11 am	• Jaunpuri • Desi Todi • Gujari Todi
4	Further period would be when the Sun’s rays become more intensive at an angle between 45 to 70 degree. From 11 am to 1 pm	• Alhaiya Bilawal
5	Further period could be when Sun’s rays are between 70 to 90 degree from the earth (noon time). From 12 pm to 3 pm	• Gaud Sarang • Shuddha Sarang • Brindavani Sarang • Madhmadh Sar
6	When the Sun starts going down and the rays are at angle between 90 to 120 / 150 degree. From 4 pm to 6 pm	• Bhimpalas • Kafi (and its prakars) • Khamaj • Madhuwanti • Multani • Patdeep • Piloo • Puriya Dhanshree • Barwa • Marwa
7	The Sun has gone down completely but the darkness has not yet set in. This would be the Sandhi Prakash or twilight zone. From 6 pm to 7 pm	• Shree • Gauri
8	After around 6 / 7 pm, the night period starts and the identified time zone could be from 6 / 7 pm to 9 pm	• Bhupali < • Shyam Kalyan • Yaman • Gorakh Kalyan • Hansadhwani • Jaijaiwati • Kalawati • Puriya • Maru Bihag • Milya Malhar (can be played anytime during monsoon season) • Desh • Jhinjhoti • Jog
9	The last zone would be from 9 pm upto midnight – extended upto dawn in the morning.	• Abhogi < • Kanada • Bageshri • Rageshree • Bihag • Darbari Kanada • Kedar • Malkauns • Chandrakauns

Note :
1) In a seminar held sometime back, there was a general opinion that flexibility
of 3 to 4 hrs could be given in observance of time theory, especially, as
concerts are held in the evening and very rarely in the morning. There was
a time when concerts started (in many cities) around 9.30 pm and went on
until early hrs of morning. This gave scope to play late night or early morning
ragas.
2) I have listed about 50 ragas which our students may be actually playing /
receiving Talim for. In this, there are some ragas which our professional
(very senior) students are playing / could play.