noun
raga
Raga (noun) means a melodic framework used in Indian classical music, or a piece composed within it. Example: “The sitar player opened the concert with a slow evening raga.”
noun
1
A melodic framework used in Indian classical music, or a piece composed within it.
"‘The song is composed in a raga appropriate to the present hour, which is the evening.’"
— EM Forster, A Passage to India (1924)
"The sitar player opened the concert with a slow evening raga."
How to use raga
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA traditional melodic pattern in Indian classical music that sets the mood for a performance.
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Word forms
- Plural
- ragas
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The sitar player opened the concert with a slow evening _____.
Etymology
From Sanskrit राग (rāga), literally "colour" or "passion" — the idea being that each raga colours the mood of the music.
Rhymes for raga
See all rhymes for raga →Frequently asked questions
What does “raga” mean?
The word “raga” means a melodic framework used in Indian classical music, or a piece composed within it. In plain terms, a traditional melodic pattern in Indian classical music that sets the mood for a performance.
How do you use “raga” in a sentence?
Here is “raga” used in a sentence: “The sitar player opened the concert with a slow evening raga.”
What part of speech is “raga”?
“Raga” is a noun.
Where does the word “raga” come from?
The word “raga” comes from Sanskrit. From Sanskrit राग (rāga), literally "colour" or "passion" — the idea being that each raga colours the mood of the music.
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