Vishal Das
Hindustani Vocals Faculty
Table of Contents
A Raag is more than just a scale in Indian classical music, it's a melodic framework filled with moods, emotions, and the energy of specific times of day. When you listen to timeless Bollywood classics, you're often experiencing the beauty of raags in Bollywood songs, even if you don't realize it. From romantic melodies to soulful ballads, Hindustani classical music has deeply influenced how Bollywood composers create unforgettable music.
This blog explores how Bollywood's catchy tunes have helped sustain, evolve, and popularize classical ragas in Hindi songs, making them accessible to millions who might never step into a classical concert hall.
The Golden Era: When Bollywood Sang in Raags
The period from the 1940s to 1960s marked Bollywood's golden era, when film music heavily leaned on Indian classical traditions. Legendary composers like Naushad, Roshan, and Madan Mohan were deeply trained in Hindustani classical music and created songs infused with raag-based compositions.
These compositions didn't always follow strict classical rules passed down through the Guru Shishya Parampara, but the "raag-pradhan" gayaki, the essence of the raag, remained almost intact. This approach created what we now recognize as Sugam Sangeet or Light Music, where classical structures meet accessible melodies.
Why This Matters: Understanding bollywood songs based on ragas helps you appreciate the depth behind seemingly simple film songs. When you learn these songs, you're not just memorizing notes, you're connecting with centuries of musical tradition.
From Yaman to Bhairavi: Raags That Ruled the Screen
Some raags have carved out exclusive followings in Bollywood over the years, shaping countless immortal songs. Let's explore the most influential classical ragas in bollywood music.
Raag Bhairavi: Devotion and Emotion
Raag Bhairavi is often linked to devotion and intense emotion. This morning raag brings a sense of completion and surrender, making it perfect for emotional scenes.
Iconic Example: "Babul Mora Naihar Chhooto Hi Jaaye" showcases Bhairavi's ability to express the pain of separation. The raag's natural melancholy makes it ideal for bidaai (farewell) scenes in films.
Learning Opportunity: If you're studying Hindustani classical music, Bhairavi is often taught early because it uses all twelve notes and is forgiving to beginners. At Spardha School of Music, students learn how to identify and sing raag-based compositions like this.
Listen: Babul Mora Naihar Chhooto Hi Jaaye
Raag Yaman: Romance in the Evening
Raag Yaman is perhaps the most popular raag in bollywood songs. Known for its romantic, peaceful quality, Yaman is traditionally sung in the evening. Its teevra madhyam (sharp fourth note) gives it a distinct, uplifting character.
Iconic Example: "Chandan Sa Badan" from Saraswatichandra (1968) captures Yaman's romantic evening charm perfectly. The melody flows smoothly, creating an atmosphere of gentle love and longing.
Why It's Everywhere: Composers love Yaman because it's versatile. It works for romance, spirituality, and even celebration. Many bollywood classical songs use Yaman as their foundation.
Listen: Chandan Sa Badan
1. Love Story
Raag Darbari Kanhada: Depth and Intensity
When Bollywood needs to express profound sorrow or gravitas, Raag Darbari Kanhada delivers. This late-night raag moves slowly, with each note carrying weight and meaning.
Iconic Example: "Dil Dhoondta Hai" from Mausam (1975) demonstrates Darbari's contemplative power. The song doesn't rush—it allows each phrase to breathe, creating space for emotion.
Musical Depth: Darbari uses komal (flat) notes extensively, giving it a serious, introspective quality. For advanced students of indian classical music bollywood, understanding Darbari opens doors to appreciating complex emotional expression.
Raag Tilak Kamod: Folk-Like Freshness
Fast forward to the 2000s, and you'll find raags in bollywood songs continuing to evolve. Raag Tilak Kamod gave "Aaoge Jab Tum O Saajana" from Jab We Met (2007) its folk-like freshness and playful energy.
Modern Appeal: Tilak Kamod proves that classical ragas aren't stuck in the past. Its bright, cheerful character works perfectly for contemporary romantic comedies, showing how raag-based songs adapt to changing times.
Listen: Aaoge Jab Tum O Saajana
Bonus: Raag Jhinjhoti in "Dekha Ek Khwab"
"Dekha Ek Khwab" from Silsila beautifully employs Raag Jhinjhoti, creating a dreamy, romantic atmosphere. This evening raag has a gentle, swaying quality that perfectly captures the feeling of being lost in love.
Listen: Dekha Ek Khwab
Why Raags Still Resonate With Us
Despite today's fast-paced, electronic soundscapes, raags remain prominent in Bollywood music. But why do these classical foundations still matter?
Emotional Authenticity: Songs rooted in bollywood songs based on ragas touch a chord that goes beyond entertainment. The emotional depth built into each raag gives musicians a dimension that purely commercial compositions often lack.
Cultural Bridge: Bollywood acts as a bridge between cultures, bringing the soul of classical music to people who might never attend a traditional concert. Through films, raags become eternally relatable, touching audiences of all ages through collective memory.
Timeless Quality: Notice how golden-era songs still sound fresh decades later? That's the power of raag-based composition. While production styles change, the melodic integrity of classical ragas in bollywood ensures these songs never truly age.
Learning Raag-Based Songs Today
If you're inspired to learn these beautiful compositions, you're connecting with a living tradition. Understanding the raag behind a song transforms how you sing or play it.
Start With Listening: Before you try singing "Chandan Sa Badan," listen to classical renditions of Raag Yaman. Notice how the film song adapts the raag's character while making it accessible.
Understand the Time: Each raag has a prescribed time of day. Yaman sounds right in the evening, Bhairavi in the morning. This isn't superstition—it's about how certain notes resonate with the natural energy of different times.
Work With Trained Teachers: Learning raag-based music requires guidance. The subtle nuances—where to emphasize, how long to hold notes, which ornamentations to use—come from proper training. Spardha's Hindustani Vocals program offers structured courses where expert teachers guide you through raag identification, proper gayaki (singing style), and emotional expression.
Use Practice Tools: While learning indian classical music bollywood styles, tools like the shruti box help you stay in tune. Spardha offers free practice tools including tanpura/shruti box and vocal pitch detectors to support your practice.
The Evolution Continues
Today's composers continue exploring raags, though often in fusion avatars. A.R. Rahman, Amit Trivedi, and Pritam occasionally weave classical elements into contemporary arrangements, keeping the tradition alive while making it relevant for new generations.
Modern Examples: Songs like "Kun Faya Kun" (Rockstar) or "Ik Onkar" (Rang De Basanti) show how raags in bollywood songs evolve. They maintain classical integrity while incorporating modern production, proving that tradition and innovation can coexist beautifully.
Preserving a Living Art Form
From the golden era of Naushad sahab to today's fusion-powered soundtracks, raags remain the actual soul behind some of Bollywood's evergreen songs. These compositions remind us that traditions aren't mere relics of bygone days—they're living art forms that evolve constantly while keeping the "raagdari" (basic structure of the raag) intact, adding the Rasa Bhav (aesthetic properties of emotions) to the music.
Your Journey Starts Here: Whether you're curious about the classical ragas in bollywood or want to seriously study Hindustani music, every song is a doorway. Start by identifying raags in your favorite old songs. Notice patterns. Feel how different raags create different moods.
Ready to dive deeper? Book a free trial class at Spardha and tell your teacher you want to explore raag-based singing. They'll create a customized path based on your current level and musical interests.
The beauty of raags isn't just in their technical structure—it's in how they make you feel. And that feeling is what Bollywood has been sharing with the world for decades.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What are raags in Bollywood songs and how do they differ from regular film music?
Raags in Bollywood songs are film compositions based on classical Indian raag structures. Unlike regular film music that may use any combination of notes, raag-based songs follow specific melodic frameworks with prescribed note patterns, emotional moods, and traditional times of day. For example, Raag Yaman creates romantic evening atmospheres, while Raag Bhairavi expresses devotion and completion. These bollywood songs based on ragas have deeper emotional resonance because they tap into centuries of musical tradition.
Q2: Which Bollywood composers are known for using classical ragas in their songs?
Legendary composers like Naushad, Madan Mohan, Roshan, and S.D. Burman extensively used classical ragas in bollywood music during the golden era (1940s-1960s). They were trained in Hindustani classical music and created raag-based compositions that became timeless. Modern composers like A.R. Rahman, Pritam, and Vishal Bhardwaj also incorporate raag elements, though often in fusion styles. These composers understand that raags add emotional depth that purely commercial compositions might lack.
Q3: Can beginners learn to identify raags in Bollywood songs?
Absolutely! Start by listening to songs with clear raag structures like "Chandan Sa Badan" (Raag Yaman) or "Babul Mora" (Raag Bhairavi). Notice the characteristic phrases that repeat throughout. With practice, you'll recognize these patterns in other songs. Learning indian classical music bollywood styles through structured courses at schools like Spardha helps tremendously. Teachers can point out the specific notes and ornamentations that define each raag, making identification much easier.
Q4: Why do old Bollywood songs sound more classical than modern ones?
During Bollywood's golden era, most composers were formally trained in Hindustani classical music and created bollywood classical songs that closely followed raag structures. Modern Bollywood has shifted toward Western influences, electronic production, and global sounds. However, the tradition hasn't disappeared—it's evolved into fusion styles where classical ragas in bollywood appear in subtle ways within contemporary arrangements. Songs like "Kun Faya Kun" or "Aaoge Jab Tum" show how raags adapt to modern sensibilities.
Q5: How can learning raag-based songs improve my singing?
Learning raags in bollywood songs develops multiple skills simultaneously. First, you improve pitch accuracy since raags require precise intonation. Second, you learn emotional expression—each raag carries specific moods that teach you how to convey feelings through music. Third, you develop better breath control and voice modulation. Finally, understanding raag structures helps you improvise and add authentic ornamentations to your singing. Enrolling in Hindustani vocals courses at Spardha provides structured guidance through this journey, from raag identification to performance-level mastery.