Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c11.s1.t3.29

v2.c11.s1.t3.29

(2) *Raga*, which has the melody frame of musical mode in the Indian classical music, consists of 5-7 tones specified in one group for improvisation or singing. Therefore, it has formed a unique system in the world during the long-term development. *Raga* is male tune and it traditionally has six types of basic *Raga*. Each *Raga* also has five types of Gilani that is a female tune with total 36 tunes. Particular *Raga* and Gilani have to be sung in specific seasons and time in order to express a sort of particular emotion or feelings and nine types of Indian traditional aesthetics. For example, Sindhi Bhairavi is better to be played in the morning while Durga is better to be sung in the dusk. The Indian north and south classical music system have various kinds of *Raga*. Musicians usually interpret these features of *Raga* via improvisation. There are tens of common *Ragas*, which are the basic melody of improvisation, for Indian music. Each *Raga* has its specific name. They are a little similar to the music cards of Chinese local opera music but also entirely different from the latter.