About Megh-Raga
There is a numerous controversies associated with the Ragamala paintings have been running for decades concerning the truth of this figurative concept. The majority of the common people believed that it is just an imagination of the ancient Indian monks; alternatively, a few creative people produces their reverence as a unique artistic notion created by some unknown sages. However, sometimes the esoteric reality being revealed based on the circumstance. During this chapter, I am going to represent such reality behind the musical rhythm named Megh-Raag, revealed by an all time greatest singer. It is not a story, but a real historical fact happened during the time of Emperor Akbar.
Around my past write-up, I asserted that Emperor Akbar was illiterate but he had an unbeatable inquisitiveness as well as he cherished talented persons and honored them to dedicate a position in his courtroom. There were nine talented creative persons made glorious the king's court at that period of Emperor Akbar. From the bottom of his heart, he was a lifetime learner. He learned and proudly considered them "nine-jewels". However, once a day, he revealed his curiosity concerning the figurative concept of music. As a matter of fact, he wanted to examine the secret reality behind the figurative concept, but he intensely announced that it is just a poetic imagination out of any reality. Therefore, he would not consider it as a significant or memorable creation of Indian monks and yogis.
Among the talented persons of the "nine jewels" named Tansen who was the all-time greatest singer answered that he could prove the reality behind every musical rhythm if Emperor kindly orders him to present it. Perhaps Akbar was in joking mood, therefore, he asked Tansen, "I'll grant you a special honor if you ever able to prove the hidden reality associated with the musical rhythm. You have to present now the musical rhythm based on the rainy season during this hottest summer. I wish to observe how it work in summer". By following the demand, Tensen requested to Akbar to go along with him in an open place to start the demonstration. Committing with his request, Akbar came to an open field with his fellow members of the royal court and started observing the activities of Tansen. By having to take a few moments to prepare himself, Tansen started the Megh-Raga with his outstanding voice. At this point, I would like to clear the meaning of Megh-Raga. Megh indicates Cloud, suggesting mainly the rainy cloud and Raga means rhythm. So the musical rhythm composed for the rainy season. It had been a wonderful situation, that after approximately one hour, Akbar along with the other members of the king's court noticed that a few blackish rain clouds were gently overlaying the sky from the corner side of the west. Tansen was continuing with his closed eyes and completely immersed in his song also it was out of his knowledge what happening during that time in his surrounding nature. After a certain time, that blackish clouds entirely covered the sky and confirmed its presence by the gravely cloudy voice. Straggly cold winds were bearing the message for the emperor regarding the esoteric truth of this rhythm and suddenly rainwater jumped over the spacious grassland just like an adolescent girl. Akbar astonished to saw the revelation. Tansen stopped his song and started watching that amazing emotional expression of nature. Akbar manifested his gratitude to Tansen for the outstanding experience and proudly made the announcement that the world will be aware of your talent forever. People of that historical era believed Tansen is a blessed son of Saraswati, the goddess of art, education, and song.
It is the hidden truth of Indian classical music! This truth is relevant to each symphony of classical music and Tansen proved it in several times. He blazed fire by using Dipak Raga. Each musical harmony produces the widest and absolute impact on nature and our surrounded nature immediately react on it. Merely it is recommended to apply those rhythms perfectly and Tansen obtained a magical control on each and every musical rhythm.
In accordance with the description of that unidentified author, body color of the Megh-Raga is as equivalent to the color of blood. He features a grave voice. He is welcoming the very first clouds of rainy season by having the sound of conch. This procedure of making welcome is only appropriate for most prestigious and honorable person. You might recognize how important this season for Asian countries. His first wife named Madhu Madhabi noticing the activities of Megh-Raga since it's out of her knowledge that the rainy season is just knocking her door. The color of her dresses is blue. The sky covered with rainy clouds and lights flashing in it. Some white cranes coming back to their home.
This music has gained the widest attraction from the ancient era since it is very poetic and dreamy musical composition adhered to the seasonal impact; likewise, it grabbed the attention of the agriculture based Indian civilization. Every year, summer based Indian people wait for the rainy season and this season brings for them a lot of hope, prosperities as well as a bit of romantic aspirations. It stimulates human mind and helps to remember the memorable experiences of beloved. Rain washes away every single particle of dirt and dust sprayed in nature simultaneously, it also washes all impurity of mind by providing the magical touch of freshness. Precisely Soaked greensward starts adorning itself in a new way which rendering an impact in poetic heart. The another name of this Raga is Megh-Malhar. Here is a great demonstration of this beautiful music composed by a greatest musician named Shivkumar Sharma. Enjoy.........
From the deep of thoughtful realization, Indian miniature artists portrayed the figurative model of this season. In few of the pieces, they even accompanied the description related to nature, however as I reminded during my previous chapter, they obtained an impact of Lord Krishna and thus they transformed the figurative form of Megh Raga and inserted Lord Krishna as a metaphor of Megh-Raga. Take a glance at this painting, they created a chain of white cranes in the blackish clouds as mentioned in that musical scripture as well as integrated rainy clouds on the sky. But they didn't sustain the figurative description. Although it is clear that it had not been decreased the values of painting rather the principal motive of this painting established quite substantially.
Let me know how you enjoy this amazing music and the background story ? Just drop one or two lines about it below this article. I am eager to know your comments. My painting - Megh-Raga With Ragini Madhumadhabi is currently available for sale on the SHOP page. Just visit the page and add it to your cart. I shall be happy to assist you regarding anything you would like to know related to your purchase. And at last, don't forget to share this article with your friends in social sites. Thank you.
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