Raagmala › Hindol family › Hindol Raag
Hindol Raag
parent Raag · the Raag of spring
From the treatises
Hindol, as indicated in the name, is a swinging scene; the swingers are usually Radha and Krishna.
tr. A. K. Coomaraswamy, Rajput Painting (1916) · Public domain
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About Raag Hindol
Raag Hindol is an ancient and spiritually evocative raag from the Hindustani classical tradition, associated with the Kalyan thaat. Characterized by its pentatonic structure (Audav–Audav), Hindol omits Re (Rishabh) and Pa (Pancham) entirely, creating a distinct and ethereal soundscape. The raag prominently features the Tivra Ma (sharp Ma) and relies on the Dhaivat (Dha) as its vadi (primary note) and Gandhar (Ga) as its samvadi (secondary note).
The ascent (Arohi) follows the pattern: Sa – Ga – Ma# – Dha – Ni – Sa' and the descent (Avarohi): Sa' – Ni – Dha – Ma# – Ga – Sa Its swaying melodic motion mimics the gentle rhythm of a swing ("Hindol" means swing), evoking a mood of devotion, introspection, and renewal, making it especially suited for performance during the spring season and in the third prahar of the night (12am–3am).
Raag Hindol is mostly presented in Khayal, Dhrupad, and Dhamar styles and is rarely performed, lending it a unique and treasured place in classical music. With its striking absence of Re and Pa and the use of sharp Ma, Hindol stands apart as a raag that invites the listener into a serene, suspended world of melodic purity and emotional depth.
The Hindol family
