Raga Shree or Shri
Shree is a very old North Indian raga of the Purvi thaat, and has traditionally been associated with Shiva. It also appears in the Sikh tradition from northern India, and is a part of the Guru Granth Sahib, the holy text of the Sikhs. The Guru Granth Sahib composition comprises 31 ragas where Shree is the first raga to appear. The raga appears first on 14th page of the composition.
Raga Shree is a Purush (Male) raga. The ancient raga classification mentions six Purush ragas and 36 raginis or their wives. The six Purush (Male) ragas include raga Bhairav, raga Malkauns, raga Hindol, raga Shree, raga Deepak, raga Megh Malhar.
Raga Shree is among the most difficult ragas of Indian Classical Music to master because of the position of its notes and the way the notes are rendered. This ancient raga belongs to Thaat Purvi. Raga Shree is a Meend pradhan raga with Vakra structure. Its Vadi is Rishabh and Samvadi is Pancham and the raga revolves around Rishabh. Rishabh-Pancham Sangati (meend from Rishabh to Pancham and visa-versa) as well as rendering r' N d P ; d M g r ; S in Avroh, defines this raga.
This Raga is expanded mostly in Madhya and Tar Saptaks. The nature of this raga is deeply devotional though it is also anxiety laden raga.
The basis of this raga is steeped in the traditions of mainstream Indian Classical music. Siri raga is serious and thought-provoking in its nature and creates an atmosphere where the listener is led to heed the advice given therein. The listener (the mind) is made aware of the truth of the message and with this ‘education’ is given the strength to face the future with both humility and the ‘gained’ knowledge.
Guru Nanak, Guru Amar Das, Guru Ram Das, and Guru Arjan have composed sacred hymns (Shabads) to be accompanied with this raga. It accompanies about 142 Shabads. Raga Shree is sung essentially as the sun sets, and is the most popular raga that best depicts the spiritual, yet anxious and intense mood of Hemant Ritu.
According to Indian classical vocalist Pandit Jasraj, Shree is an evening raga, sung during the sunset. It is full of grace and majesty, and the main mood it creates is one of devotion and dedication.
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