Topic: Megha Raga

[Nichi]

Stunning!  the subtle distinctions within a season was an eye opener. Thanks!

Twas a good reminder for me too!

[Nichi]

'Meghamalara Ragini' -- man dancing with women musicians. ~B.M. Ca 1610 from the Manley Ragamala. Mega Malhar is a monsoon raga, the music of which is said to invoke the monsoon. The 'man' is often Krishna in other versions.
[British Museum]

[Nichi]

"Megha Malhar Raga" is the fifth or Sixth male raga. Megha, like Vasant, pictures Indra (or Krishna) among maidens. In Vasant the reason for rejoicing was the coming of spring and blooming. Here the arrival of the rainy season, which will break the stupendous heat, is celebrated. Megha means, Rain cloud. The other gods are welcoming Indra or Krishna. Artist: Gopal.

[Nichi]

Megha Malhar is a monsoon Raga, and is supposed to produce rain when recited correctly. The Raga depicts a dancing Krishna. The music portrays the majesty of the clouds and expresses the joyful feeling caused by the onset of the rains. This raga is meant to be sung at night. The name derives from the Sanscrit word Megh, meaning cloud. Legends say that this raga has the power to bring out rains in the area where it is sung. Megh Malhar is similar to raga Megh.

[Michael]

Well they need it now - the monsoon has failed in many areas this year.

[Nichi]

Raga Megha. Lithograph artiste Krishno Bishto Das from Calcutta, per request of Sourindramohan Tagore (1840-1914), better known as Raja Sir Sourindro Mohun Tagore or simply S. M. Tagore -- a great musicologist awarded a Doctor of Music degree by the U of Pennsylvania in 1875 & D. Litt (Honoris Causa) by Oxford University in 1896. Proficient in both Indian & Western music. Founded the Banga Sangeet Vidyalaya in 1871 & the Bengal Academy of Music in 1881.

A bit of a different take on Megh Raga.

[Nichi]

Meghamallara, megha, "cloud" in Sanskrit, under the paint: trunk. Krishna dances to celebrate the rains, accompanied by 4 musicians playing the tambourine, the bin, cymbals. The cataka birds await the monsoon, refugees in a tree foliage. According to traditions, the Meghamallara raga sung or played on an instrument causes the coming of the rains. Rajput, Provincial Mughal, 18th cent.

[Nichi]

Meghamalhara Ragini depicts Krishna dancing in the rain. Present Location: Varanasi (Banares), Banaras Hindu University, Bharat Kala Bhavan. Location: Hyderabad, Hyderabad District, Telangana, India. Date: ca 1725 CE

(Love the sky...)

[Nichi]

Krishna dancing in the rain. Illustration to the musical mode Megh Mallar Raga. The god is surrounded by four female musicians; in the foreground are peacocks and a fountain, in the background trees and hills. Trimmed. Deccan, India. Date mid 18th century.

[Nichi]

Krishna dances on the bank of a river to musical accompaniment. Megha raga? Opaque watercolour and gold on paper, India, Northern Deccan or Kishngarh, 1700-30.

Click and enlarge either the attachment or this link for the best view: http://www.asianart.com/exhibitions/aany/bubbar/01.jpg