Yakshagana Raga

Yakshagana Raga

Yakshagana Rāga (Kannada:ಯಕ್ಷಗಾನ ರಾಗ, pronounced as yaksha-gaana raaga)refers to melodic modes used in Yakshagana. It is based on pre-classical melodic forms that comprise of a series of five or more musical notes upon which a melody is founded. Yakshagana Ragas have indigenous ragas and others derived from other forms of music. Ragas in Yakshagana are closely associated with a set of melodic forms called as Mattu. Yakshagana Ragas have their own Gamaka. Although Yakshagana Ragas shares names with other systems of music Ragas are different though names are same with a few exceptions. More than 80 ragas have been identified to have survived the onslought of popular and elite musical systems. In Yakshagana tradition, rāgas are associated with different times of the night throughout which Yakshagana is performed.