Ragas and Raginis: A Pictorial and Iconographic Study of Indian Musical Modes Based on Original Sources c6.62

c6.62

It is from this point of view that the 18 jātis of melodies are assigned by Bharata (Ch. 29, 1-4 verses) their rasa values, that is to say, their appropriateness for particular passion, sentiment, or atmosphere of feeling, with reference to particular situations in the plot of a drama ("tat pravṛtte rase kāyaṃ gānamgeye prayoktṛbhiḥ," Ch. 29, verse 11.) This is made clear by the more elaborate descriptions of jāti melodies or gītis given by Matanga who, while describing the component notes of each gīti, mentions the rasa, or the flavour of sentiment appropriate to each, and the place in the body of the drama where a gīti can be appropriately introduced. And it is very probable that the rāga-gītis, were first distinguished from other classes of gītis (e.g. Śuddha, Bhinna, Gaūḍī), on account of the rasa—quality, the power of evoking emphatic and clearly differentiated sentiments, or qualities of feeling.