What is Raag Sohni?
Raag Sohni is a melodic framework (raag) in South Asian classical music. It belongs to the Marva thaat. Traditionally performed during the 03:00-05:59. It evokes a tranquil mood. The vadi (dominant note) is Madham and the samvadi is Kharaj. Stream 4 renditions of Raag Sohni on Saarey Music.
Raag Marva evokes tranquility and a pleasing nighttime atmosphere. Raag Marva, Pooriya, and Sohni are three raags born from the same scale. The three are also among the most popular raags. The three raags are distinguished from each other by their phraseology, by the melodic region in which their respective centers of gravity are located, and by the relative importance of ascending and descending melodic emphasis in their rendition. Each of these ragas has its unique haunting signature. In Sohni, one expects to find melody dominated by ascending melodic phrasing. Sohini’s character, because of its limited improvisational potential, is lyrical, replete with ornamentation and frills. Sohini attempts to utilize whatever remains of the melodic potential of the sur, after Pooriya and Marva have exploited it. In reality, what remains is very little. Sohini is, thus, not very much more than a song. The melodic span of the raga is also limited to its notional scale. Its presentation is discouraged from going either below the middle-octave Ga, or above the higher-octave Ga. This is why Sohini is performed most commonly in the semi-classical or light genres of vocal music, whose esthetics are governed by the varied and subtle ornamentation of each poetic idea enshrined in a melodic phrase. This is also the reason why classical performers either present this raga with dazzling artistry, or feel encouraged to take liberties with its melodic frame.
