MONOKU
मल्हार(Malhar)
A monsoon induced saturday
Old radio sings a sepia-esque tune, did my lips sync to that malhar?
A Monoku is a type of poem made up of a single horizontal line. Monoku emerged as an independent style of poetry in the 1970s. Unlike the traditional Haiku, which is made up of three lines with a total of seventeen syllables, Monoku features a single line consisting of seventeen syllables or fewer.
“Malhar” is a Hindustani classical raga. Malhar is associated with torrential rains. According to legend, Malhar is so powerful that when sung, it can induce rainfall.[Source:- Wikipedia]
A raga or raag is a melodic framework for improvisation. Each rāga is an array of melodic structures with musical motifs, considered in the Indian tradition to have the ability to “colour the mind” and affect the emotions of the audience.[Source:- Wikipedia]
Here are two pieces based on Malhar/Megh Malhar raga that I was listening to, today. Give it a listen if you want. I am sure you’ll love them. Links are embedded in the names:-
Instrumental sarod by Ustad Amjad Ali Khan(Megh and Miyan ki Malhar)
Garaj Garaj-Song(Megh Malhar)
