Kedar, also known as Kedara, is a Hindustani classicalraga. Named after Lord Shiva, the raga is placed on a high pedestal in the realms of Indian classical music. It is characterised by many complex turns, which are brilliantly melodious but difficult to express in words. This raag is the repetition of the swaras सा and म.
The raga is of shaadava-sampurna nature, i.e., in its arohana, only six notes are used, and in avarohana, all seven notes are used. In general, the progression of the raga is highly non-linear, which makes it difficult to capture the essence of the raga using arohana and avarohana. The raga uses only natural versions of the Second, Third and Sixth, both natural and sharp versions of the Fourth " and predominantly natural versions of the Seventh but occasionally also its flat version. "both natural and sharp" versions of the Fourth Arohana: S M, M'P D M, N D S` Avarohana: S' N D P, m P D P M~, S R S Pakad: S M, M P, m P m P, D P M, R S The notes of the raag is s r g mp d n s. The most prominent note is m, and the second most prominent is S.
Samay (time)
The raga is to be sung in the night. It is sung in the first prahar of night. Most Ragas with teevra ma are sung at night.
The meend from D to M via P is the heart of the raga. This phrase is repeated again and again. The G is used lightly as a grace note in the transition from m to P. The movements in the raga from one swara to another are quite complicated, and the extent of use of the different swaras often depends on the singer. Kedar is one of the five ragas that form the Kalyan Panchak - Group of five similar ragas of Kalyan Thaat, namelyHameer, Gaud Sarang, Kamod, Chhayanat and Kedar. Kedar is an ancient raga, with different genres of classical songs, like khayals, thumris, dhrupads, as well as light classical songs based on it. According to the Guru Granth Sahib, raag Kedara expresses and makes the mind aware of the true character and nature of the soul. It conveys the emotions of honesty, integrity and truthfulness in a practical and caring way. This approach highlights the soul's character and is memorable, so that the mind is made aware, without arousing cynicism.
