Raag Shankra
Vilaval Ragaputra 1720 - edited 2MBVilaval Ragini
Raag

Raag Shankra

Bilaval Thaat21:00-23:59Pleasant

What is Raag Shankra?

Raag Shankra is a melodic framework (raag) in South Asian classical music. It belongs to the Bilaval thaat. Traditionally performed during the 21:00-23:59. It evokes a pleasant mood. The vadi (dominant note) is Pancham and the samvadi is Kharaj. Stream 7 renditions of Raag Shankra on Saarey Music.

Known as the "Lord of Raags", Raag Shankra breathes a force of vitality and a sense of longing in the listener. Its almost like the joy of meeting an old friend and when its time to leave, the anguish of your friend not wanting you to leave.

How to recognize Raag Shankra

  1. Identify the parent scale. Raag Shankra belongs to the Bilaval thaat — listening for the characteristic note pattern narrows the field.
  2. Listen for the vadi. The dominant note is Pancham, with the samvadi Kharaj supporting it. Emphasized in phrases and pauses, especially in the alap.
  3. Note the time of performance. Raag Shankra is traditionally performed during the 21:00-23:59.
  4. Feel the mood. Raag Shankra evokes a pleasant rasa — one of the clearest cues.

Renditions in Raag Shankra

Raag Shankra (2018) by Beenish Pervaiz

Raag Shankra (2018)·

Beenish Pervaiz

00:13:51
Khayal
Raag Shankra (2015) by Beenish Pervaiz

Raag Shankra (2015)·

Beenish Pervaiz

00:19:16
Khayal
Raag Shankra (2001) by Beenish Pervaiz

Raag Shankra (2001)·

Beenish Pervaiz

00:13:56
Khayal
Raag Shankra by Mehfooz Ali Khan

Raag Shankra·

Mehfooz Ali Khan

00:17:53
Khayal
Raag Shankra by Munira Khatun

Raag Shankra·

Munira Khatun

00:18:37
Khayal
Raag Shankra 1992 by Pandit Milind Chittal

Raag Shankra 1992·

Pandit Milind Chittal

00:09:39
Khayal
Raag Shankra by Pandit Milind Chittal

Raag Shankra·

Pandit Milind Chittal

00:09:39
Khayal

Frequently Asked Questions

Raag Shankra is a melodic framework in South Asian classical music belonging to the Bilaval thaat, traditionally performed during 21:00-23:59. It evokes a pleasant mood. Known as the "Lord of Raags", Raag Shankra breathes a force of vitality and a sense of longing in the listener. Its almost like the joy of meeting an old friend and when its time to leave, the anguish of your friend not wanting you to leave.
Raag Shankra is traditionally performed during 21:00-23:59. In South Asian classical music, each raag is associated with a specific time of day or night, believed to enhance its emotional impact and resonate with the natural rhythms of that period.
For the most authentic experience, listen to Raag Shankra during 21:00-23:59. South Asian classical music theory holds that each raag resonates most powerfully at its designated time, aligning with the listener's emotional and physiological state during that period. However, great performances of Raag Shankra can be appreciated at any time.
Raag Shankra evokes a pleasant mood. In South Asian classical music, each raag is associated with a specific emotional quality (rasa) that the performer seeks to communicate through melodic phrases and ornamentations. The pleasant character of Raag Shankra is expressed through its particular combination of notes, emphasis patterns, and characteristic phrases (pakad).
Raag Shankra belongs to the Bilaval thaat. A thaat is a parent scale in South Asian classical music from which raags are derived. The Bilaval thaat provides the foundational note set that Shankra elaborates upon with its specific ascending and descending patterns.
The vadi (most important note) of Raag Shankra is Pancham and the samvadi (second most important note) is Kharaj. The vadi and samvadi are the two dominant notes around which the raag's melodic phrases revolve, giving it its distinctive character.