Indian Classical music based Songs in Hindi Film: Article-2 Why do we love some songs more than other: Written By Vijay Bhatt for Blog posting and Podcast

Indian Classical music based Songs in Hindi Film:
Article-2 Why do we love some songs more than other: Written By Vijay Bhatt for Blog posting and Podcast

Whether you know music, an avid listener, or music is a background prop in your routine, we all experienced that some songs instantly stick and catches our attention, but not all. Why? The secret is in its 'composition'. Of course, singing is equally important. The singer is the one who carries the composition to us, however, we will discuss singing in the next round.
The tune or the melody, the selection of notes ( Swar) in the melody, the rhythm( Taal), and emotion(Bhaav) combined with many other important elements - is called 'the Composition of a song’. It is all about the 'composition' of a song that plays (pun!) the most 'intrinsic' role in touching the cord of our hearts and minds. Singing has its obvious contribution.

So what is a composition? To know more lets go in the laboratory of music where the alchemist is making golden music! In this lab there are only two types of raw material – Notes and Beats ( Swar and Taal). There are main 7 notes and total 12 notes-SrRgGmMPdDnN.
Beats are typically 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7 and multiple thereof.

Each raag is made up of a unique set of notes out of these 12 notes. By permutation combination of these 12 notes, there could be about 35000 possible raga, however, only approximately 300 raag are known in practice.
Each raag has ability to create specific emotions (RASA ) and mood (BHAAV).
According to the classical theory, there are total of 9 human emotions ( RASA): peace(SHANT), wonder (ADBHUT) , disgust (BIBHATS), love and beauty (SRINGAR), laughter(HASYA), courage and daring (VEER), sorrow, mercy, apathy (KARUNA), fear (BHAYA),and anger (RAUDRA) and many variety of moods (BHAAV). For example, Raag Todi and raag Shivaranjani offer emotions of KARUNA (sorrow, mercy, and apathy).Raag Pilu offers SHRINGAR, raag Shankara offers RUDRA ( anger), the list for each emotion.

As a painter has specific canvas, colors and shades, a composer has at his disposal- the lyrics as canvas which he wants to decorate using 12 notes, one or more raag, beats, and mood/Bhaav. A composer knows which raag and notes will bring out mood and emotions required.

Let us take some songs and analyze. Jaane Kahan Gaye Wo din song which almost all of us love and shed tears, also Mere Naina Savan Bhado both are based on raag Shivaranjani notes are - SRgPDS’. Here 'g' is called komal (minor) g. Due to this g this raag offers sadness. If this g is changed to G ( major) instead, it becomes raag Bhupali, and Bhupali offers a good mood, Bhakti, and devotional emotions. Look at song Jyoti Kalash Chhlake, an entirely different impact which is based on Bhupali, and so does E Neel gagan ke tale’. What a huge difference a ‘g’ vs. G makes! and the whole mood changes! The composer knows which g/G to reach us!

Another most exploited and utilized raag used in Hindi film industry is raag Yaman. This raag has such a strength that if used skillfully, it offers many varieties of emotions.
Songs like Chandan Sa Badan offers beauty, Bhuli Hui yaaden, Ansu, bhari hai, and Saarangaa teri..offer sadness, Abhi Na jao and Jab deep jale offer love… and the list of emotions goes on. If you examine carefully, each of these songs offers different emotions. That is the reason Yaman is very valuable in a composer’s toolbox to make catchy compositions for different moods.

Another most popular raag is Bhairavi. This raag has all 11 out of 12 notes, includes all komal notes at the disposal of the composer. This raag is considered to be the queen of all raag. It has so much of potential to bring out kaleidoscopic flavors and emotions. This raag has almost all the emotions hidden in it. depending upon how well the composer wants to use it.
Sad songs like Babul mora, and rhythmic Laga Chunari me daag, or love song like Barsat Main tum se mile, or great melody like Man bole mera tan dole, Yaad me teri..and list of thousands of songs close to our hearts are based on Bhairavi.

Thus, each raag and its notes have unique impact. It is up to the composer to use the ingredients artistically to make a home in our heart! Though there are no specific rules, usually komal notes ( minor notes) , as the word komal reflects, offer softer and deeper emotions. Slower beats offer less enthusiasm than faster beats. Usually Taal Kaharva (4 beats) is used for a jovial mood. For sad and serious moods Taal Dadra ( 6 beats) or Taal Rupak (7 beats) are used.

It is entirely up to the creativity and imagination of the composer who has an intangible God given gift which is called 'aesthetics of music!'. Not all musicians are blessed equally with this gift.

Making a good composition in Indian music is more intuitive, imaginative, improvisational, and abstract rather than a methodical step by step defined process.
A combination of creativity with aesthetics adds to making heart touching compositions. – Written by Vijay Bhatt for Blog posting and Podcast.