Raga Yaman: Aroha, Avaroha, Time and Practice Tips
A student's guide to Raga Yaman of the Kalyan thaat, from the teachers at Surmandal, Kolkata.
About Raga Yaman
Yaman is often the first raga a student learns in depth. Its bright, open mood comes from the tivra Ma, and its clear shape makes it a good raga for learning to hold a note, move step by step and build a phrase. It is sung in the early evening and suits both slow, meditative elaboration and fast taans.
Aroha and avaroha
Aroha (ascent)
Avaroha (descent)
Notation: (k) = komal (flat), (t) = tivra Ma (sharp), an apostrophe after a note (Sa') = upper octave.
Raga Yaman at a glance
| Thaat | Kalyan |
|---|---|
| Jati | Sampurna-Sampurna (all seven notes) |
| Vadi / Samvadi | Ga / Ni |
| Swaras | All notes shuddha except tivra Ma |
| Time of singing | First part of the night (roughly 6 to 9 pm) |
| Mood | Serene, devotional and romantic |
| Typical phrases (pakad) | Ni Re Ga Re Sa; Ni Re Ga Ma(t) Pa |
Timings are traditional guidelines and singers vary. Phrases are typical examples. Your teacher will show the exact form they teach.
Practice tips
- Start on a steady tanpura drone and sing Ni Re Ga slowly, resting on Ga, the vadi.
- Keep Ma tivra every time. Practise the phrase Ga Ma(t) Pa slowly until it feels natural.
- Sing simple alankar in Yaman, for example Ni Re Ga, Re Ga Ma(t), Ga Ma(t) Pa, going up and coming down.
- Some singers touch shuddha Ma in descent (called Yaman Kalyan). Master the basic form first.
Where Raga Yaman appears in syllabi
RBU B.A. (Hons) Vocal Music: the Semester 3 Dhrupad ragas, and a Semester 4 pair (Yaman and Sudhkalyan). Visva-Bharati B.Mus: Semester 1, and the Dhrupad and Dhamar course.
From the official curricula. See our university music courses guide and the Pracheen Kala Kendra exams page. Spellings follow each university.
Learn Raga Yaman with a teacher
Ragas are best learned by listening to a teacher and being corrected. Surmandal teaches Hindustani classical and semi-classical vocal one-to-one at Sonarpur, Bansdroni and online. Book a free trial class.
Raga Yaman FAQ
What is the aroha and avaroha of Raga Yaman? Aroha: Ni Re Ga Ma(t) Pa Dha Ni Sa'. Avaroha: Sa' Ni Dha Pa Ma(t) Ga Re Sa.
What is the best time to sing Raga Yaman? First part of the night (roughly 6 to 9 pm). These timings are traditional guidelines.
What are the vadi and samvadi of Raga Yaman? Vadi: Ga. Samvadi: Ni.
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