Today’s discussion focuses on the classification of ragas according to the thaat system. Alongside the raganga (structural or stylistic) approach, rāgas may also be grouped on the basis of thaat. In earlier times, the raganga method was more widely accepted among great ustads and scholars. However, in contemporary practice, thaat-based classification has become more popular and widely used.
A detailed technical explanation of each thaat can be found in the previous article on thaats. Here, an attempt has been made to organise rāgas into groups based on their respective thaats.
Table of Contents
Thaat-Based Classification of Ragas
1. Bilawal Thaat
Principal Raga: Bilawal
Other Ragas: Shankara, Pahadi, Hamsadhwani, Durga, Deshkar, Kukubh Bilawal, Sukhia, Sukhia Bilawal, Devgiri Bilawal, Mand
2. Kafi Thaat
Principal Raga: Kafi
Other Ragas: Bageshree, Bhimpalasi, Dhanashree, Dhani, Pilu, Megh Malhar
3. Kalyan Thaat
Principal Raga: Kalyan
Other Ragas: Yaman (Iman), Yaman Kalyan, Bhupali, Hindol, Kedar, Shuddha Kalyan, Shyam Kalyan, Khem Kalyan, Savani Kalyan, Chhayanat, Hamir, Gaud Sarang, Kamod, Maru Bihag, Nand
4. Khamaj Thaat
Principal Raga: Khamaj
Other Ragas: Khamaj, Rageshree, Jhinjhoti, Desh, Sorath, Manjh Khamaj, Tilang, Gara, Tilak Kamod, Jaijaiwanti, Khambavati, Kalavati, Khokar, Khamboji, Champak, Deepak, Gabati, Jansammohini
5. Bhairav Thaat
Principal Raga: Bhairav
Other Ragas: Basant Mukhari, Bhairav Bahar, Bibhas, Ramkali, Gunkali, Jogiya, Jilaf, Saurashtra Bhairav, Bangal Bhairav, Komal Bhairav, Mangal Bhairav, Ahir Bhairav, Alam Bhairav, Anand Bhairav, Bairagi Bhairav, Bihad Bhairav, Kaushi Bhairav, Bhavmat Bhairav, Devata Bhairav, Gauri Bhairav, Nat Bhairav, Shivmat Bhairav, Bhatiyari Bhairav, Virat Bhairav, Kabiri Bhairav, Prabhat Bhairav, Rupkali, Bakul Bhairav, Husaini Bhairav, Kalingda, Devaranjani, Asa Bhairav, Jaun Bhairav, Mand Bhairav
6. Poorvi Thaat
Principal Raga: Poorvi
Other Ragas: Puriya Dhanashree, Gauri, Shri, Paraj, Basant, Lalit
7. Marwa Thaat
Principal Raga: Marwa
Other Ragas: Marwa, Puriya, Sohni, Lalit (sometimes placed under Poorvi), Bibhas (also classified under Bhairav or Poorvi), Pancham (Hindol Pancham), Maligaura, Purva, Purva Kalyan, Jait, Bharati, Bhatiyar, Vankar, Lalita Gauri (sometimes under Poorvi), Sajgiri
8. Asavari Thaat
Principal Raga: Asavari
Other Ragas: Asavari, Desi, Darbari, Kaushi Kanada, Adana, Jaunpuri, Devgandhar
9. Bhairavi Thaat
Principal Raga: Bhairavi
Other Ragas: Bhairavi, Bilaskhani Todi, Bhupal Todi, Kaushi Kanada, Komal Rishabh Asavari, Malkauns
10. Todi Thaat
Principal Raga: Todi
Other Ragas: Miyan ki Todi, Darbari Todi, Gujari Todi, Madhubanti, Multani
Further Reading