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North Indian Classical Music

Raga Yamen

Holding a drum, yamen
--the mother of voluptuousness--
rests in the arms
of the vanquisher of demons.
How could I forget
her radiance
that puts to shame
the blue Jumna.

                                                                   Raga Sarara (ancient text)

Scale Up: B, D, E, F#, G, A, B, C
Scale Down: C, B, A, F#, E, D, C
Main Note: E
Always played during the early part of the night 

Raga Yamen is one of the principal ragas of North Indian classical music. Legend has it that Raga Yamen was invented by Amir Khursau (1253-1325) who also invented the khayal style of singing.

Raga Yamen

Raga Mood This orchestral version by V. Balsara from the difficult-to-find 1960's album Raga Mood serves as a great introduction to raga Yamen. The tala (rythmic pattern played by the tabla drums) in this selection is in xx beats.

Ustad Amir Khan Khayal in jhumra tal (14 beats) and Khayal in tintal (16 beats). 1960s.

Ustad Niaz Ahmed and Ustad Fayyaz Ahmed Khan Khayal in jhumra tal (14 beats). Mohammad Ahmed, tabla. 1960s.

Pannalal Ghosh Jhumra tal (14 beats) followed by tintal (16 beats). Pannalal Ghosh was one of the great flute players in India. He was born in Bangladesh in 1911 and died in 1960.

Bismillah Khan 1960s.

Raga Yamen Kalyan

Raga Yamen Kalyan is like raga Yamen, however a very exact and subtle use of the F Natural note is introduced.

Bhimsen Joshi Jhaptal. Gulam Rasool, tabla. Calcutta. 1960s.